Canva is a wonderful (and free) tool that can make design more accessible for everyone! It has infinite templates to choose from and gives you the ability to make quick changes right from your web browser. But there can be little hiccups when exporting your file to print that can mean your print might not come out how you expect. These quick tips will save you time (and avoid a prepress fee) when you send your file in for print.
1. Set your file to the right size!
It might seem simple, but the best way to ensure your file will print correctly is to confirm your dimensions! Whether it’s a set of business cards or a massive movie poster–double check your page size to avoid pixelated prints!
2. View page bleeds and the danger zone!
These settings are just a few clicks away and let you see exactly where to place your content. Just click on File, hover over Rulers and Guides, and toggle on Show print bleed and Show danger zone detection. Extending artwork such as page background colors or images into the page bleed prevents blank lines along a page’s edges. You should also avoid placing important content within the danger zone margin because it can get cutoff when printing.
3. Export your PDF with crop marks and bleed!
When you’re downloading your PDF file from Canva, click on Advance Settings and toggle Crop marks and bleed on. This allows us to see exactly where to trim your page and prevents white hairlines along its edges!
A few minutes of file maintenance and setup can save you the headache of repeated edits or back and forth emails that set back your deadlines.
Still need a little help getting your file ready to print? Not to worry! We’re always happy to take a look at your file and give you more specific feedback – or we can fix it for you! Give us a call (410) 727-1400 or send us an email production@alphagrap.com.