Canva has made graphic design more accessible to businesses of every size.

Whether you're creating business cards, flyers, posters or promotional materials, its templates and straightforward editing tools make it possible to produce artwork without specialist design software.

However, before you send your design to a professional printer, it's worth checking a few important details.

A design that looks good on screen isn't necessarily ready for print.

Here's how to prepare your Canva artwork for professional printing.

1. Choose the correct document size
Start by checking that your Canva design matches the finished size of the product you want to print.

For example, an A5 leaflet, A4 poster and roller banner all have different dimensions.

If your design is created at the wrong size, resizing it later may affect the layout, text and image quality.

Whenever possible, select the correct dimensions before starting your design.

2. Check your images
Images need sufficient resolution to reproduce clearly at the intended print size.

Be particularly careful when using small images downloaded from websites or taken from screenshots.
An image that looks sharp on your phone may not reproduce well when enlarged.

If your design contains a logo, use a suitable high-quality file wherever possible.

3. Understand bleed
Bleed is an extra area of artwork extending beyond the final cutting edge of a printed product.

It's particularly important when backgrounds, photographs or colours extend to the edge of a leaflet, business card or flyer.

Without sufficient bleed, slight variations during trimming can leave unwanted white edges.

Where your product requires bleed, enable the appropriate option when exporting your Canva artwork and ensure your design extends into that area.

The precise requirements depend on the product and printer, so check the specifications before exporting.

4. Keep important information away from the edges
Even when bleed is correctly set up, important text, logos and contact details should be positioned safely inside the finished dimensions.

This is known as the safe area.

Avoid placing essential information too close to the edge, where it could be trimmed or appear cramped.

5. Export the right file
For many professional printing applications, a PDF is an appropriate format.

Canva offers PDF export options, including PDF Print. Depending on your design and the printer's requirements, you may need to enable bleed and crop marks.

However, crop marks aren't required for every job, and some printers prefer files without them.

Always check the specifications for your particular product before exporting.

6. Proofread everything
Before sending your artwork, check:
•    Spelling and grammar.
•    Telephone numbers and email addresses.
•    Website addresses.
•    Logo placement.
•    Image quality.
•    Alignment and spacing.
•    Prices, dates and promotional details.

It's much easier to correct an error before printing than after your order has been produced.

Need a hand with your Canva artwork?
Canva is a useful tool, and there's no reason to start again simply because you've created your own design.

At Middlesbrough Printing, we can check your artwork and help identify any problems before production.

Where necessary, we can also refine layouts, correct issues and prepare files for professional printing.

Whether you need business cards, leaflets, posters, banners or other marketing materials, we're here to help.

Designed it yourself? No problem. Let us help you get it print ready.

Contact us for more details:
Call: 01642 804535
Email: [email protected]