Best File Type for Printing: PNG, PDF, SVG, or AI? Canva + Illustrator Printing and Print on Demand Guide

What Is the Best File Type for Printing

If you have ever sat staring at your computer wondering what file type you should send to a printer, you are not alone. I get asked this question constantly. Should you use PNG, PDF, SVG, or AI? Which one works for print on demand, and which one is best for a local print shop? And what about DPI, fonts, and color settings?

Sending the wrong file can lead to blurry prints, fonts that do not show up, or even designs that a printer refuses to accept. In this post I am going to walk you through everything you need to know about preparing print-ready files. We will cover raster vs vector printing differences explained in plain language, how to export from Canva for both local printers and print on demand, how to handle fonts without losing your design, and which settings make the difference between a clean crisp print and a file that gets rejected.

Raster vs Vector Printing Differences Explained

Let’s start with the foundation because this one concept clears up so much confusion.

What is a raster file?

Raster files include PNG and JPEG. They are built from pixels, which means every single dot of color is locked into place. They look great at the size they were created for, but the second you try to stretch them larger they start to blur. That is why you may see a fuzzy logo on a banner. Someone probably sent the printer a raster image that was too small for the size it was being printed at.

What is a vector file?

Vector files include AI, EPS, SVG, and sometimes PDF if the PDF contains vector data. Instead of being made from pixels, these files are built from mathematical paths and points. The cool part is that they can scale infinitely. A logo saved as a vector can be printed tiny on a business card or massive on a billboard and it will always stay sharp.

Raster vs vector comparison for print quality

So the rule of thumb is simple. If you are creating a design that is photograph-based or specifically sized for a product on a print-on-demand platform, a raster file like PNG is fine. If you are creating a logo, line art, or something that might be scaled to multiple sizes, you want a vector file. That way your artwork stays crisp and professional.

Quick comparison at a glance:

Raster (PNG, JPEG) = pixel-based and resolution-dependent.
Vector (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF with vector data) = scalable and resolution independent.
Raster files blur when enlarged.
Vector files stay crisp at any size.
Use raster for print-on-demand products.
Use vector for professional printers and screen printing.

Best File Types for Print on Demand (POD) Providers

Now let’s look at print-on-demand file types. Services like Printful and Printify make it easy to upload your design and place it on t-shirts, mugs, or other products. But you still need to send them the right type of file.

Why PNG is the best file format for print-on-demand apparel

The best file format for print on demand apparel is PNG. You will want to export at the exact size you want it printed, with a transparent background if your design has cut out shapes or text. For shirts and hoodies, PNG at 150 DPI is acceptable, but I always recommend 300 DPI to be safe. For smaller products like mugs, stickers, or phone cases, 300 DPI is absolutely necessary. Because the designs are printed small, any lack of resolution will make details look fuzzy.

Another key part of preparing files for print on demand is the color mode. Always design and export in sRGB. Most print-on-demand printers are set up for sRGB and if you try to send CMYK you can get strange color shifts.

Ideal DPI resolution for print-on-demand graphics

Let’s put this into context. Imagine you are designing a t-shirt graphic that is 12 inches wide. At 300 DPI, that file needs to be 3600 pixels wide. That ensures your file meets the ideal DPI resolution for print-on-demand graphics. If you ignore this and upload something that is too small, Printful or Printify may flag your file as low quality, or worse, your customers will receive blurry prints.

Checklist for preparing files for print-on-demand apparel and products:

Export as PNG.
Use transparent background for shirts or items with cutout text or graphics.
Size file at actual print dimensions (ex: 12 inches wide at 300 DPI = 3600 pixels wide).
Save in sRGB color mode.
Double check resolution: 150 DPI is minimum, 300 DPI is best.

Best File Types for Local Printers and Trade Shops

If you are working with a local printer, the file type they expect is totally different. Instead of PNG, most printers want a press-ready PDF.

Why printers prefer PDF for print-ready files

Press-ready simply means the PDF is built to industry standards. It contains the right color profile, fonts that will not break, and bleed and crop marks so they can trim your design correctly.

The two most common PDF standards are PDF X 4 and PDF X 1a. PDF X 4 is the modern standard and most printers prefer it because it supports live transparency and color management. PDF X 1a is older. It flattens everything into CMYK only. Some print shops with older workflows may still ask for it, so always check their requirements before you export.

How to prepare files with bleed and crop marks

Bleed and crop marks are also critical when preparing files for local printers. Bleed is the extra space around your design that ensures ink goes right to the edge when the page is trimmed. A common bleed size is one-eighth of an inch on all sides. Crop marks tell the printer where to cut. Without bleed you risk having a tiny white border where the blade trims the edge.

If you are using Illustrator, you can set all of this up by going to File, Save As, and choosing Adobe PDF. From there, pick PDF X 4, check crop marks, and set your bleed to one eighth of an inch. These are the standard press-ready PDF export settings in Illustrator. Canva also lets you export as a PDF Print, and you can add crop marks and bleed there, even though it is not quite as advanced as Illustrator.

Press-ready PDF export settings in Illustrator:

Go to File, Save As, and choose Adobe PDF.
Choose PDF X 4 unless your printer requests something else.
Under Marks and Bleeds, check Crop Marks.
Set bleed to 0.125 inches on all sides.
Outline your fonts or embed them.
Save and review before sending.

Why printers prefer PDF:

Fonts are embedded or outlined.
Bleeds and crop marks are included.
Color profiles are preserved.
Universally accepted in the printing industry.

How to Avoid Font Issues When Exporting from Canva

Fonts can be the trickiest part of exporting files for printing. In Illustrator, you can simply outline your fonts by going to Type and then Create Outlines. Once you do that, the text becomes a vector shape. It is no longer editable as text, but it will look perfect on every computer.

In Canva, things get more complicated. Canva does not currently allow you to outline fonts. That means if you send a Canva PDF and the recipient does not have the same font installed, the text can break or change.

Flatten PDF in Canva to lock fonts

The solution is to export as a PDF Print with the Flatten PDF option turned on. Flatten PDF essentially locks everything into the file, so the fonts cannot shift or substitute. This is the easiest way to avoid font issues when exporting from Canva.

So if you have ever wondered how to export a Canva file for printing without running into missing fonts, the answer is to flatten it.

Signs that your fonts may cause problems:

The text looks different on your client’s screen.
Fonts are missing when you open the file in Illustrator.
The printer says your file is not print-ready.

How to export a Canva file for printing correctly:

If you’re the kind of person who learns best by watching, I’ve got something special for you. One of my videos, How to Export From Canva to SVG in Illustrator – Viral Tutorial, has gone viral and shows step-by-step how to get your Canva design into Illustrator and save it correctly as an SVG that actually works with printers and cutting machines.

In that video, you’ll see:

Exactly how I move a design from Canva into Illustrator
How do I fix fonts so nothing breaks
How to export the SVG so it’s clean, usable, and scalable

If you’re serious about sending files that print beautifully and look professional, that video will give you visuals to match everything in this post.

Watch it here ? How to Export From Canva to SVG in Illustrator

SVG, AI, and Special Use Cases for Printing

Now let’s talk about SVG, AI, and special situations like screen printing. First things first, let’s dive into what an SVG is and the different use cases for SVG files.

Can I send SVG from Canva to a printer?

SVG files are vector-based, but they are not always accepted by printers. If you are asking yourself if you can send an SVG from Canva to a printer, the safe answer is no. SVGs exported from Canva can cause issues with fonts and scaling.

AI and EPS files are more widely accepted by screen printers and vinyl cutters. If you are preparing artwork for screen printing, the best choice is to send a vector file like AI, EPS, or a properly prepared PDF.

If you are specifically working with Cricut or another cutting machine, you may need SVG. Canva can export SVGs, but they are not always reliable. That is why I created a full tutorial showing you how to take your Canva design into Illustrator and save a proper SVG that will work with printers and cutting software.

When to use SVG, AI, or EPS:

SVG: cutting machines like Cricut or Silhouette.
AI: industry standard for Adobe Illustrator, often requested by printers.
EPS: older format, still widely used for logos and screen printing.
PDF: versatile and usually accepted everywhere.

DPI, Color Modes, and Preparing Files Correctly

Resolution is another key piece of making a file print-ready. DPI stands for dots per inch. For print-on-demand graphics, 150 to 300 DPI is the standard. Large banners can sometimes get away with 150 DPI, but for small items like business cards or stickers you absolutely need 300 DPI.

Color mode also matters. Use sRGB for print-on-demand providers like Printful or Printify. If you are working with a local printer, ask them if they want sRGB or CMYK. Many prefer CMYK, especially if they are using offset presses.

Quick DPI guide for printing:

150 DPI: large banners or posters viewed from a distance.
300 DPI: business cards, flyers, stickers, or any small detailed item.
300 DPI: always safest for print-on-demand.

Color mode guide: sRGB vs CMYK

sRGB: best for print-on-demand platforms like Printful and Printify.
CMYK: preferred by local printers for offset printing.
Always ask your printer if you are not sure.

When preparing files for printing, run through this checklist. Do you have the file at the right size and DPI? Do you have bleed and crop marks set correctly? Are your fonts outlined or flattened? Did you choose the right format, whether that is PNG, PDF, SVG, or AI?

When you can check off each of those boxes, you know your file is truly print-ready.

FAQ: File Types for Printing

Can I send SVG from Canva to a printer?
Most of the time no. Printers rarely accept SVG from Canva because the fonts and scaling may not carry over correctly.

What file format is best for printing photos?
JPEG at 300 DPI works well for photographs, especially for posters and large format prints. If the design includes text, PDF is usually safer.

Do I need Illustrator to export print files?
Not always. Canva can export print-ready PDF files for simple projects. But Illustrator gives you more professional control, especially for preparing files with outlined fonts and press-ready PDF X settings.

Is PNG okay for screen printing?
PNG is not the best choice for screen printing. Screen printers usually need vector files like AI, EPS, or vector-based PDF.

What file type should I send for screen printing?
Vector is always the safest. Ask your screen printer, but AI, EPS, or PDF with outlined fonts are usually the right choice.

Conclusion: How to Prepare Print-Ready Files

Let’s wrap this up with a quick recap.

For print-on-demand, the best file type is PNG. Make sure it is at least 150 DPI, ideally 300 DPI, and exported in sRGB. For apparel, use a transparent background. For smaller products, always go 300 DPI.

For local printers, export a press-ready PDF. Use PDF X 4 unless they tell you otherwise, add bleed and crop marks, and outline or flatten fonts so they do not shift.

For screen printing or vinyl cutting, send vector files like AI, EPS, or PDF. Avoid raster files for these uses.

For Canva exports, always use PDF Print with Flatten PDF if you are sending it to a printer. That is how you avoid font issues when exporting from Canva. If you need SVG for cutting, follow my tutorial on exporting Canva files to SVG in Illustrator.

Final checklist before you send your file:

File type matches project (PNG for print on demand, PDF for local printer, vector for screen printing).
Correct DPI (150 or 300, depending on product).
sRGB or CMYK chosen correctly.
Bleeds and crop marks included for local printers.
Fonts outlined or flattened.
File named clearly (ex: “ClientName_TshirtDesign_12in_300dpi.pdf”).

When you can tick off size, DPI, bleed, crop marks, fonts, and file format, you have a true print-ready file.

Want a little extra help with SVGs?

Grab my free Canva to SVG Export Cheat Sheet. It shows you exactly how to export clean SVGs that actually work, without the guesswork. I’ll link it right below so you can download it instantly.

Best File Type for Printing: PNG, PDF, SVG, or AI? Canva + Illustrator Printing and Print on Demand Guide

What Is the Best File Type for Printing