Printing from Canva: How to Download a File Without Blurring?

Designing in Canva is super easy. Drag & drop, ready-made templates, millions of elements. But then the client downloads the file, sends it to the printer, and hears: "The file has too low resolution". Why? Because Canva has three different download options – and only one of them is suitable for printing. Here is a guide that will make your Canva designs print crystal clear.

Problem: Canva Free vs Canva Pro

The first thing you need to know:

Canva FREE does NOT allow downloading files in print quality. Period.

Canva Free exports only:

• JPG / PNG – maximum 96 DPI
• PDF Standard – compressed, lower quality

And the printer needs at least 300 DPI. So Canva Free = mathematically impossible for professional printing.

Solution?

• Canva Pro – 119 PLN/month (or 12.95 USD)
• Gives access to PDF Print (300 DPI, CMYK optionally, bleeds)
• You can activate a 30-day free trial

If you print regularly (business cards, flyers, banners) – Canva Pro pays off after the first project.

Step-by-step guide: How to download a print file from Canva Pro

Step 1: Finish the project

Make sure the project is ready:

• All elements in place
• Texts checked (typos!)
• Colors OK (remember: they will be darker in print than on screen)

Step 2: Click "Share"

In the top right corner of the Canva interface, you'll find the purple button "Share" or "Share".

Step 3: Select "Download"

From the dropdown menu, select "Download" or "Download".

Step 4: CRUCIAL – Select "PDF Print"

This is where most users make a mistake. You will see a list of formats:

• PNG – NO (only 96 DPI, RGB)
• JPG – NO (only 96 DPI, lossy compression)
• PDF Standard – NO (compressed, lower quality)
• PDF Print – YES! (300 DPI, ready for print)

Note: The "PDF Print" option is available ONLY in Canva Pro. If you don't see it – you don't have Pro.

Step 5: Check PDF Print settings

After selecting "PDF Print," a window with options will appear:

1. Flatten PDF
   Check YES – the printer doesn't need editable layers.
2. Crop marks and bleed
   Check YES – the printer needs bleeds (+3mm on each side).
3. Convert to CMYK (optional)
   If the printer explicitly asks for CMYK – check it. But beware: colors may change (especially light blues and oranges).

Step 6: Click "Download"

The PDF file will be generated and downloaded to your computer.

Step 7: Check the file BEFORE sending it to the printer

Open the PDF and verify:

• Is everything in place?
• Is the text sharp? (zoom 200%)
• Are the images clear?
• Are there crop marks in the corners?

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

1. "I export JPG from Canva Free"

Problem: JPG from Canva Free is 72-96 DPI. Too little for printing (300 DPI needed).
Solution: Purchase Canva Pro (even for a month) or transfer the project to Adobe Illustrator / Affinity Designer.

2. "I choose PDF Standard instead of PDF Print"

Problem: PDF Standard compresses photos and graphics (lower resolution). No bleeds.
Solution: Always choose PDF Print, never PDF Standard for printing.

3. "I use images from Google Images"

Problem: Images from Google are usually 72 DPI, low resolutions. They look OK in Canva, but when printed = pixelated.
Solution: Use only images from:

• Canva library (built-in high-quality images)
• Unsplash / Pexels (available, high-res)
• Shutterstock / Adobe Stock (paid, professional)
• Your own photos (minimum 3000x2000 px for A4)

4. "I upload logos as PNG from Google"

Problem: Logos from Google are usually 200x200 px. Stretching to a business card (5x5 cm) = blurry.
Solution: Upload vector logos (SVG) or high-resolution PNG (minimum 1000x1000 px).

5. "I don't add bleeds"

Problem: When cutting, the printer may "cut off" part of the project. Without bleeds, white edges will appear.
Solution: Check "Crop marks and bleed" in PDF Print options.

Are there alternatives to Canva Pro?

If you don't want to pay for Canva Pro, you have a few options:

1. Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark)

• Free version allows PDF at 300 DPI
• Integration with Adobe Stock
• Smaller template library than Canva

2. Affinity Publisher

• One-time payment (~300 PLN), no subscription
• Professional DTP tool
• Full control over CMYK, bleeds, fonts
• Higher learning curve than Canva

3. Canva Free → Printer makes corrections

• Some printers offer a "file preparation for print" service
• You send the project from Canva Free, they convert it to 300 DPI
• Cost: usually an additional 50-100 PLN

How to check if a file is 300 DPI?

You downloaded a PDF from Canva. How to be sure it's 300 DPI?

Method 1: Open in Adobe Acrobat Reader

1. Open the PDF
2. File → Properties
3. "Description" tab
4. Check "Page size" and "Resolution"

If you see "300 DPI" or "300 ppi" – OK.

Method 2: Ask the printer

Send the file to the printer with the question: "Is this file suitable for printing?". They will tell you immediately if something is wrong.

Comparison: PDF Standard vs PDF Print

Feature	PDF Standard	PDF Print
Resolution	~150 DPI (compressed)	300 DPI
Bleeds	No	Yes
Crop marks	No	Yes
CMYK conversion	No	Optional
File size	Small (1-3 MB)	Larger (5-15 MB)
Suitable for print?	NO	YES

FAQ: Quick answers

Can I print from Canva Free?

Technically yes, but not professionally. Canva Free provides a maximum of 96 DPI – too little for business cards, flyers, banners. OK for home printing, NOT OK for printers.

Is a 30-day Canva Pro trial enough?

Yes! You can create projects in Canva Free for a month, then activate the trial for 1 day, export everything in PDF Print, and cancel the subscription.

Why is my PDF from Canva huge (50 MB)?

Probably you have a lot of high-resolution images OR you didn't check "Flatten PDF". Flattening reduces the size by ~30-50%.

Do I need to convert to CMYK in Canva?

You don't have to. Most printers prefer RGB from Canva (easier for them to convert). But if the printer explicitly asks for CMYK – check the option.

Summary: Your cheat sheet

• Canva Free ≠ professional print (maximum 96 DPI)
• Canva Pro = must-have for regular printing
• Always choose PDF Print, never PDF Standard
• Check "Crop marks and bleed" – the printer needs bleeds
• Flatten PDF = smaller file, no layer issues
• RGB > CMYK in Canva (unless the printer asks for CMYK)
• Use only high-res images (from Canva library, Unsplash, own 3000+ px)
• Check the file before sending (zoom 200%, is everything sharp?)

Golden rule: PDF Print from Canva Pro + bleeds + flatten = guarantee of sharp print.