Creating visually appealing and print-ready artwork in Canva requires attention to detail and an understanding of digital printing standards. 

Here are eight essential tips to enhance your designs for commercial and full-colour litho printing and ensure they translate seamlessly from screen to print.

Tip #1

Always design in CMYK or RGB. For your information, Canva defaults to RGB colours, but for optimal print quality, consider switching to CMYK. 

We recommend this because CMYK is the standard colour model used in printing by leading printers in Gauteng, ensuring colours are accurately represented on the final printed piece.

Tip #2

Always use high-quality images. You may have sourced a beautiful image for your design, but if it’s not high-quality, it is best to find another image to avoid disappointment.

High-resolution images for your Canva design maintain clarity and sharpness when printed. Aim for a resolution of at least 300 PPI (pixels per inch) to ensure crisp, clear images.

Tip #3

Use Vector art to the max. Vector art is created with the use of vector graphics. Vector graphics are created with mathematical formulas and the benefit is that they can be scaled to any size.

Vector art is your go-to for logos and graphics. Because they can be scaled infinitely without loss of quality, your designs will look sharp and professional at any size.

Tip #4

Bleed and trim are terms used by graphic designers and printers in Gauteng all the time. These terms refer to extending design elements beyond the trim edges to account for bleed, ensuring there are no white borders after trimming. Canva allows you to set up bleed areas, so be sure to adjust your design accordingly.

Tip #5

On the other hand, you must check margins and alignment to ensure important content remains within the safe zone, meaning that it won’t be cut off during printing. Keep crucial elements away from the document edges to avoid partial trimming.

Tip #6

Be very careful about your text’s legibility. Choose clear, legible fonts for text and ensure there’s sufficient contrast between text and background colours. Avoid overly decorative fonts and low-contrast combinations that may hinder readability.

Tip #7

Export your design in the appropriate file format for printing, such as a print PDF with embedded fonts and images. This ensures design integrity and compatibility with professional printing processes.

Tip #8

Even designers do a re-do so you should expect to print test copies. Before finalising your print run, print test copies to evaluate the design’s appearance and ensure everything looks as intended. Inspect for any issues with text, images, or overall quality before proceeding with mass printing.

These tips will help you create print-ready artwork in Canva that looks professional and visually stunning. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your designs are optimised for print and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Take your designs to new levels with Lebone Litho’s world class commercial litho, web-fed and digital printing. Have some questions about how to ensure the integrity of your design throughout the design and printing process? Contact Leone Litho—expert printers in Gauteng.