How to Create Press-Ready Artwork in Canva

IMPORTANT: Because Canva's colour palette uses HEX (RGB) values, achieving exact CMYK colour matches for print can be challenging. As a result, some outputs may appear slightly different when printed.

Follow these steps to ensure your designs meet professional printing standards:

Set Up Your Document Correctly

Choose the Right Dimensions: When starting a new design, click on “Custom Size” and enter the exact final size of your product in millimeters (e.g., 210mm x 297mm for A4).

Add Bleed to Your Design

Enable Bleed: Go to “File” > “View settings” > check “Show print bleed”.
Extend Backgrounds: Ensure that background colours and images extend beyond the bleed area to avoid white edges after trimming.

Set Up Safe Zones

Enable Margins: Navigate to “File” > “View settings” > check “Show margins”.
Keep Important Elements Inside Safe Zones: Ensure all crucial text and images are within the margin lines to prevent them from being cut off during trimming.

Use 100% Black for Black Text

Set Text Colour: When adding black text, ensure the colour is set to pure black (#000000) to avoid a mix of CMYK colours, which can result in blurry or muddy text.

Use Rich Black for Large Black Areas

Printing large black areas? Don’t use flat black. Instead, use Rich Black: #0F0F0F. This blend gives a deeper, richer finish—perfect for bold backgrounds and solid blocks.

Export Your Design for Printing

Download as PDF Print: Click on “Share” > “Download” > select “PDF Print” as the file type.
Include Crop Marks and Bleed: Check the box for “Crop marks and bleed” to ensure accurate trimming.
Choose CMYK Colour Profile: If available, select the CMYK colour profile for more accurate colour reproduction in print.

Need Help with Your Artwork?

No stress—our prepress experts are here to guide you. Whether you’re unsure about bleed, colour setup, or PDF export settings, we’ll help you get it right.

📧 Have questions? Contact us before you hit send.