Utilising Canva as a Free Design Tool
As a free design tool, Canva offers an intuitive and user-friendly platform that allows you to produce high quality graphics for print.
You can easily choose from thousands of templates tailored for different needs, from flyers and brochures to posters and business cards.
With access to millions of photos, illustrations, icons and fonts you have all the elements you need to create professional-looking designs without the need for additional software.
Before creating your design in Canva ensure it’s ready for commercial printing by following our guide below:
Select the Correct Dimensions: When creating a design, start with the correct dimensions for print. Canva offers preset sizes for common print formats, or you can enter custom dimensions.
Use High-Resolution Images: Ensure that any images or graphics used in your design are high resolution (300 DPI or higher) to avoid pixelation when printed.
Export in Print-Ready Format: When your design is complete, download it in a print-ready format. Select ‘Share’ and then ‘download’ before changing the file type to "PDF Print" for the highest quality and make sure the "Crop marks and bleed" option is checked.
Color Settings: Commercial print typically uses CMYK color mode, while digital screens use RGB. Canva designs default to RGB, so it’s a good idea to convert your design to CMYK before printing. Canva Pro users have access to this feature directly within the platform. If you're using the free version, you will only be able to select ‘RGB’ but we are more than happy to convert your file to CMYK and send it back to you to see before printing.
Proofread and Check Alignment: Before finalising your design, proofread all text and check that all elements are correctly aligned. This step ensures your final print looks professional.
Get in touch for a quote or further advice on your print project.