How to Print from Canva Yourself or With A Service [2023]

Canva is the most popular freemium online graphic design tool out there. Despite being (humorously?) seen as inferior to “real” graphic-design software like Photoshop, it offers a vast array of image and video editing options that include presentations, social media posts, poster design, AI image generation, and more.

While most print their designs by simply downloading it locally and using their printer, what many don’t know is that Canva offers a special custom print service. That’s why today, we’ll be taking a closer look at how you can print on Canva and the precise nuances of either option.

Methods of Printing with Canva

If we were to break down printing on Canva at the top-most level, there is only one divide. Hence, there are 2 methods of printing with Canva:

1. Printing using your device’s built-in app
2. Printing using Canva’s special printing service

1. Printing using your device’s built-in application

A method that has been used ever since printing became commonplace, this involves downloading the design you created in Canva and printing it using the built-in application on your device. We’ll be addressing Windows and macOS devices in particular.

But first, here’s how to create and download your design on Canva on to your device:

1. Head on over to Canva. Start your new project by clicking on any one of the options present on the site.
   

   

2. Now, create a design of your liking. Try out all kinds of tools from the sidebar.
   

   

3. Once you’re done and ready to print, click on the Share button on the top-right corner of the screen.
   

   

4. A drop-down menu will appear. Click on Download.
   

   

5. Next, the Download menu will appear. Click on the File type drop-down and choose PDF Print from the options.
   

   

6. Then, configure the settings given below the File type drop-down.
   
   ⤷ Crop marks and bleed: Used to highlight the parts you intend to cut out after printing.
   ⤷ Flatten PDF: Places all the elements of your design in a single layer, preventing it from being edited and allowing for a smoother printing process.
   ⤷ Include notes: Downloads the notes you’ve made under page along with your design.
   We suggest leaving these options disabled. Except for the Flatten PDF option.

   

7. Next, select your desired Color Profile by clicking on the drop-down.
   
   ⤷ RGB: This is suited for digital previews, like in presentations.
   ⤷ CMYK: This is much better suited for printing, as it has more prioritizes 4 different colors and is able to produce more vibrant colors

   

8. If you want to save these settings by clicking on the Save download settings checkbox. Click on Download.
   

   

9. Your design will be downloaded.
   

   

Some of these features may require you to have Canva’s paid plan. Anyways, now that the design has been downloaded, all that’s left is to print it.

⤷ Printing on Windows

1. Open up the File Explorer and navigate to your Downloads folder. Double-click on the downloaded design to open it.
   

   

2. By default, the PDF file should open up on Microsoft Edge. Click on the printer icon to open up the Print menu.
   

   

3. The Print menu will appear. Choose your printer from the Printer drop-down.
   

   

4. Click on More settings and make the required changes as per your specifications.
   

   

5. After you’re done making the required changes, click on Print.
   

   

⤷ Printing on macOS

1. Open up the PDF file you downloaded by just double-clicking on it in the Finder.
   

   

2. After that, click on the File option in the menu bar and from the drop-down menu, choose the Print option.
   

   

3. Make the changes based on your specifications.
   

   

4. Once you do that, click the Print button to start printing your design. 
   

   

2. Printing using Canva’s special service

Canva also offers a paid printing service for professional prints for all kinds of things: yard signs, banners, water bottles, mugs, clothes, etc. This way you can technically just hand over your design to Canva themselves to print it for you. However, this feature is only available in select regions and the options can also vary on the region.

To have Canva print your design, follow these steps:

1. After you’ve created a design, click on File near the top-left corner.
   

   

2. When the drop-down appears, bring your cursor over to View settings. From the additional options that appear, choose whether you want to enable these settings.
   
   ⤷ Show print bleed: Shows the part of the design that will be printed on the edges
   ⤷ Show margins: Shows the part of the design that is sure to be displayed in the print.
   We suggest using these options to ensure that your print comes out as expected. These lines will not be displayed on the final print.

   

3. Next, click on Share on the top-right corner.
   

   

4. A drop-down menu should appear. Click on Print with Canva.
   

   

5. A variety of options will be made available for you. Choose what you want your design to be printed on by clicking on it.
   

   

   If your design does not satisfy the required size for that object, this message will be displayed to you.

   

6. Once you’ve chosen your design, several options will be available for you. Depending on your choice, the options can differ. Adjust them according to your requirements. You can also see a preview of how the print will look.
   

   

7. The last option will be the amount of prints required. Click on How many? to adjust the amount.
   

   

8. Then, click on Continue.
   

   

9. If there are some problems present in your design, they will be pointed out to you. You can either fix them by yourself or click on the Automatically fix all issues switch to fix them automatically. Click on Continue to proceed.
   

   

10. Lastly, you’ll be taken to the checkout page. Enter your card details, home address, a coupon code (if you have one) and choose your delivery option. Finally, click on Place order.
    

    

After placing your order, you will receive an email confirmation message. You can also modify or cancel your order for 2 hours after placing it.

Printing Yourself vs. Printing with Canva (or Other Services)

Printing by yourself is pretty common but when you want to get designs custom printed, things get a bit more complicated. You have to rely on third-party services for this job and there’s no guarantee for whether the quality will be up to the mark or not. Canva is reliable and safe, with the best quality guaranteed. They also offer a refund or reprint, if contacted within 30 days after receiving the order.

Other services like PsPrint are also great options, which also offer professional prints for a wide range of options, while being trusted. However, the main disadvantage would be the limited design options. Since Canva is primarily a graphic design tool, you can create almost anything on it. However, services like PsPrint do not offer much in the way of designs, and rely upon you already having ready-made ones.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Designing and Printing Your Own T-Shirt at Home ➜

Showcase Your Finest Works

While it is a freemium service, it’s hard to believe that Canva offers so much even without its premium plan. Even their printing service is pretty affordable, and given the quality as per user reviews, well worth it. If you’re an artist or a graphic designer, we recommend using Canva’s print service to immortalize your best designs.