Why Canva Files Aren’t Compatible with Professional Sign Writing Programs. What to do.

In recent years, Canva has become a very popular design tool for small businesses and individuals. It’s simple, user-friendly, and makes creating social media posts, flyers, and presentations quick and easy. However, when it comes to professional signage, Canva files are not suitable for production.

As sign writers, we often receive Canva files from clients, but these can cause significant issues when transferring artwork into professional programs like CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, or FlexiSign. Here’s why:

1. Canva Uses RGB, Not CMYK

• Canva is primarily built for digital media, which uses RGB colour mode (the red, green, blue colour spectrum used on screens).

• Sign writing, printing, and large-format graphics rely on CMYK colour mode (cyan, magenta, yellow, black).

• If a design is supplied in RGB, colours can shift dramatically when printed—your bright blue might turn dull, or your red could look orange.

Solution: Canva Pro allows you to export files in CMYK PDF format, ensuring the colours you see on screen are closer to what will actually be printed.

2. Limited File Compatibility

• Canva files are saved in a proprietary format (.canva), which cannot be opened in professional sign programs like CorelDRAW.

• This means we can’t edit, resize, or separate elements properly for production.

• Even when exported as a standard PDF, free Canva PDFs are often low-resolution and not designed for large-format printing.

Solution: Always choose PDF Print (CMYK, 300dpi, with bleed) when exporting from Canva Pro. This creates a professional, editable file that we can work with.

3. Fonts and Outlines

• Canva uses web-based fonts that are not always available in CorelDRAW or other sign software. If the font isn’t embedded or converted to outlines, it can default to another typeface when opened, changing your design.

• Without outlined text, resizing or adjusting artwork for signage can lead to errors.

Solution: When exporting from Canva Pro, make sure your text is either outlined (curves) or that you’ve chosen PDF Print which embeds the fonts properly.

4. Resolution and Scaling

• Canva is designed for small projects like business cards or Instagram posts—not for scaling up designs to 3 metres wide on a shopfront or vehicle wrap.

• Low-resolution images from Canva will look pixelated and unprofessional when enlarged.

Solution: Ensure your images are high-resolution before uploading them to Canva, and always export at the highest print-ready setting available.

Final Thoughts

Canva is a fantastic tool for marketing and small graphics, but when it comes to professional sign writing, it has serious limitations. If you’re creating artwork for signage, always:

✔️ Use Canva Pro to export PDF Print in CMYK✔️ Embed or outline fonts✔️ Supply high-resolution images✔️ Communicate with your sign writer before finalising files

This ensures your colours are accurate, your text displays correctly, and your signs are produced at the highest quality possible.

If you’re unsure, don’t worry—we’re always happy to help prepare your files correctly for print. That way, you’ll get the professional result your brand deserves.