What is Canva.com? It’s a cloud based, on-line design software that is FREE to use. They have many easy to use templates, stock pictures, videos and graphics. Canva makes it so easy to design just about anything that people find themselves spending hours on the site just exploring. The free version usually comes with a “Canva” watermark in the background. If you’d like to have a version without the watermark, they offer subscriptions and pay-as-you-go options. Everything on the site is very reasonably priced. SLB Printing recommends Canva.com for anyone who needs to design a quick project.
SLB Printing receives calls all the time from individuals, small business and even large business looking to print something but have no press ready file. It’s so quick and easy to whip up something in Canva we are suggesting it to help our clients with their urgent design needs.
The tricky part comes when it’s time to save your newest beautiful creation in a format that SLB Printing can use to print the millions of copies (or just a dozen copies too) that you want to make. See the images below for step by step graphics on what to look for when you are ready to save your file.
1) When you’re ready to save, choose the “share” button in the upper right corner.
2) Find the “download” option and click on it.
3) Choose the “PDF Print” option and select the box that says “Crop marks and bleeds”
It’s that easy…just like the rest of Canva is, to use when designing. The tool is fairly intuitive if you’ve ever worked with any other simple design program. We’ve had plenty of customers print their flyers, postcards, and even posters with us and tell us they used Canva. But if this is all brand new to you, just start slow and watch a few YouTube tutorials. Trust me, you’ll be a pro in no time flat!
If you’re designing for the web, we suggest saving in png format for images and mp4 for videos. These will give you the best color renditions for viewing on a phone or computer without long load times.
As always, when it comes to your same day and next day printing needs, design it on Canva and send us the final press ready file via email. Remember to include the quantity and paper choice you desire as well.