Your Logo Deserves Better: Canva Printing Tips You Need to Know
Canva is an amazing tool for design, and it has come a long way over the years. I’ve been using it for almost nine years, and while it’s not a “real” design software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, it’s a fantastic option when you know how to use it properly. However, one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is using Canva’s “Logo” template to create designs they plan to print. If you’re guilty of this, don’t worry—I’m here to help! Let’s break it all down.
Why the Canva “Logo” Template Isn’t Printing-Friendly
The “Logo” template in Canva is not meant for creating files for printing. Even if you push the resolution slider to the maximum, the file size won’t be large enough to scale up for professional printing. When you try to enlarge that file for printing on items like apparel, signs, or other promotional materials, it’s going to look pixelated and blurry. And trust me, nobody wants a blurry logo representing their business!
How to Create a Print-Ready Logo in Canva
If you’re designing a logo in Canva and plan to use it for printing, here are two simple ways you can optimize your design.
Step 1: Resize Your Design
Instead of using the default “Logo” template, resize your design to make it larger. You can do this by clicking the Resize button in the top left corner of your Canva workspace and increasing the dimensions by 2-3 times.
Step 2: Use Custom Dimensions
For even better results, start fresh with custom dimensions. Here’s how:
- Go to Create Design > Custom Size
- Enter 5000 x 5000 pixels (or larger if needed)
- Begin your design from there
This ensures that your final design will be large enough for high-quality printing.
Step 3: Download Correctly
When your design is complete, make sure to download it correctly:
- Choose PNG for the highest quality
- Select “Transparent Background” if your design requires it
Keep in mind that transparent background downloads are only available on Canva’s paid plan. If you’re serious about using Canva for business purposes, investing in the paid plan is well worth it.
A Note About File Sizes
When you create larger files, they’ll come out crisp and clear for printing—but these files may be too large for web use. If you’re planning to use your logo on a website, you’ll likely need to resize or optimize the file for your platform. Canva’s resizing tools or a free online compressor can help with this.
Final Thoughts for Small Business Owners
As a small business owner, your logo is often the first impression people have of your brand. If you’re sending logos to be printed on apparel or other items, always ensure that your file is high quality. A low-resolution file will result in a low-quality final product—and that’s not the look you want for your business!
Using Canva for design is a great choice when you understand its strengths and limitations. Follow these steps, and your logos will come out looking polished and professional every time.
Got questions or tips about Canva? Drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!