Export for print: PDF, dpi and bleed
How the Editor's PDF works, which sizes print at 300 dpi, how to add bleed yourself, and what to ask your printer.
Intermediate3 min readUpdated 25 September 2026Editor · Export PDF
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Printers need a file at the right physical size with enough pixels to look sharp on paper. The Editor exports a one-page PDF for this. Knowing exactly how that PDF is built lets you set up the design correctly from the start, rather than finding out at the print shop.
What the PDF contains
- One page, holding your whole design as a single high-quality JPEG image (quality 90 percent or higher).
- Flattened onto white. Transparent areas print as white.
- RGB colour. There is no CMYK export.
- No bleed and no crop marks are added for you.
Because it is image based, the text in the PDF is not selectable and fonts are not embedded as type. It prints exactly as it looks on screen.
How the page size is set
The PDF page size comes from your design's pixel size alone. If the longest side is more than 2000 pixels, Voidcanvas treats it as print work at 300 dpi. If it is 2000 pixels or less, it uses 96 dpi, a screen size.
| Preset | Pixels | PDF page size |
|---|---|---|
| A4 flyer | 2480 x 3508 | 210 x 297 mm (A4) at 300 dpi |
| A5 flyer | 1748 x 2480 | 148 x 210 mm (A5) at 300 dpi |
| Poster 18 × 24 in | 5400 x 7200 | 18 x 24 in at 300 dpi |
| Business card | 1050 x 600 | About 278 x 159 mm, because 1050 is under 2000 so 96 dpi is used |
Export the PDF
- Start from a print preset on the start screen (A4 flyer, A5 flyer or Poster 18 × 24 in), or a custom size worked out at 300 dpi.
- Finish the design, then press Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on a Mac).
- Choose PDF. The dialog notes: "One page, image based, 300 dpi for print sizes."
- Leave Size at 1×. Choosing 2× keeps the same page size but packs in twice the pixels, which makes a much bigger file for little visible gain.
- Leave Quality high and click Download.
Add bleed yourself
Bleed is extra artwork past the trim edge, so a slight misalignment when cutting does not leave a white sliver. Most printers ask for 3 mm on each side. At 300 dpi, 3 mm is about 36 pixels (3.05 mm).
- With your design open, choose Image, Canvas size….
- Tick Relative, then enter 72 in Add to width and 72 in Add to height (36 pixels on each side).
- Leave the anchor in the centre and click Apply. Layers are not scaled.
- Stretch your background colour or photo so it reaches the new outer edge.
- Choose View, Guides, New guide… and add guides 36 pixels in from each edge to show the trim line. Keep text and logos well inside it.
An A5 flyer with 3 mm bleed becomes 1818 x 2550 pixels, and still exports at 300 dpi. For the reasoning behind bleed, trim and safe areas, read Designing for print.
What to ask your printer
- Do you accept an RGB PDF and convert it to CMYK for me? Bright blues, greens and purples can print duller after conversion.
- How much bleed do you want, and do you need crop marks?
- Is an image-based PDF at 300 dpi fine, or do you need a different format?
- Can I see a proof before the full run? Colour on screen and on paper never match exactly.
Common problems
- Soft print. Photos placed small and scaled up lose sharpness. Check them at 100% (Ctrl+1) before exporting.
- Page is the wrong size. Check the design's pixel size against the table above. Anything 2000 pixels or less on its longest side comes out at 96 dpi.
- Very large posters fail to export. Browsers have limits on image size. Try again after closing other tabs, or ask the printer whether a smaller poster size works.