How to Set Up Your Canva Design for Printing Labels with LabEX

When it comes to designing and printing labels for your products, precision and quality are key. Whether you're creating waterproof stickers for outdoor use or crafting the perfect design for wine label printing, the best results start with a well-prepared file. If you're using Canva to design your labels, here’s everything you need to know for a flawless print.

Getting Your Canva Design Print-Ready

Canva is a popular, user-friendly tool for creating professional designs, but there are a few steps you’ll need to follow to ensure your labels look polished and sharp when printed on LabEX's high-quality printing equipment. 

1. Add Bleed to Your Design

What is bleed, and why is it important?

Bleed is the area of your design that gets trimmed off during the printing process. It ensures that your design extends fully to the edge of the label without any blank borders. Without bleed, you might end up with white edges when your labels are trimmed.

How to add bleed in Canva: 

• Use Canva’s Resize feature to extend your design by at least 3mm on each side.  
• Ensure any background images or colours extend all the way to the edge of the new size.  
• Don’t place critical text or design elements too close to the edges; keep them within a “safe” margin to avoid trimming errors. Within the LabEX editor the safe zone is the green line (don't worry, this line won't be printed on your labels).  

Taking the time to add bleed ensures your stickers and labels maintain their professional finish.

2. Export as a Print-Ready PDF

For the sharpest and most professional results, always export your Canva design as a Print-Ready PDF.  

• Go to Share → Download.  
• Set the file type to PDF Print.  
• DO NOT tick the box for “Crop marks and bleed”. LabEX will automate this process. If you tick this box there is a chance you will see the crop mark on your label. 

Check out this video we’ve created, which visually guides you through each step:

VIDEO: How to set up labels artwork in Canva for best print quality

Why is a PDF Print critical? Unlike design files saved as JPEGs, PNGs, or TIFFs - PDFs retain the highest resolution for text and intricate design elements. 

When you set the file type to PDF Print - the text you have typed will be saved as a Vector, which is the quality required for printing.

A printed label using a JPEG file might look slightly blurry. Zooming in reveals the difference between raster files (like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF) and vector-based print-ready files. Vector files deliver sharp, precise text for professional-quality results every time.

At LabEX Labels, we print using the HP Indigo 6900, the gold standard for premium label printing. Supplying us with a Print-Ready PDF ensures your labels are sharp, vivid, and of the highest quality.  

Curious about this step? Learn more about why print-ready PDFs are the best choice here. 

Essential Printing Tips for LabEX Labels

1. Use High-Resolution Graphics

If your design includes images or logos, ensure they are high-resolution (preferably 300 dpi or higher). Low-res images can appear pixelated or blurry when printed. Canva’s pre-built templates generally handle resolution well, but double-check every element to ensure your labels sparkle.  

2. Check Your Fonts  

Some fonts may not be embedded correctly in your file, leading to errors during printing. By using Canva’s PDF Print export option, fonts will be properly embedded to ensure consistent results across all designs (no surprise font substitutions!).  

3. Test Print at Home 

Before finalising your order, print your label design on a home printer to check layout, sizing, and text legibility. While the quality won’t match LabEX’s premium HP Indigo printing capabilities, this quick test can help you catch minor errors before sending your final file.  

Why Choose LabEX Labels for Your Printing?

At LabEX Labels, we specialise in all kinds of labels, including waterproof stickers and wine label printing, ensuring a flawless finish for every design. With the HP Indigo 6900, your labels are printed using the same industry-leading technology trusted by high-end global brands. If your labels don’t meet your quality expectations, the issue most likely lies with the file type provided. By supplying a Print-Ready PDF, we can guarantee crisp, precise results. 

Final Thoughts

Creating professional, print-ready label designs in Canva is simple when you follow the right steps. From adding bleed, to exporting as a PDF Print - every detail counts in achieving a high-quality finish for your labels.  

Need help with your label design or have questions about our printing processes? 

Contact the LabEX team here today or start your order online. We’ll ensure that your designs are transformed into stunning labels that stand out on any shelf.