Creating Obituaries for Commercial Printing Using Canva
Publishing an obituary for commercial printing requires precision, especially if you're creating the design using Canva. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use Canva for publishing obituaries that are ready for commercial printing. This guide includes instructions for downloading your project in the correct format, selecting appropriate file types, and ensuring your design is print-ready with necessary crop marks, bleed, and the correct color profile.
Step 1: Set Up Your Canva Account
- Sign Up or Log In: If you don’t already have a Canva account, go to canva.com and sign up for free. If you already have an account, simply log in.
- Select a Template: Canva offers a wide range of templates specifically designed for funeral programs and obituaries. If none of the templates meet your needs, you can create a custom design by choosing "Custom Size" and selecting the dimensions you want for your printed material (commonly 8.5 x 11 inches for funeral programs).
Step 2: Design the Obituary
- Add Personal Elements: Use Canva’s drag-and-drop interface to add photos, text, and design elements that reflect the individual’s life. Canva offers a variety of fonts, colors, and shapes that can help personalize the obituary.
- High-Quality Photos: Ensure that any photos uploaded are of high resolution to avoid pixelation during printing. Canva will often notify you if the image resolution is low.
- Text Layout: When laying out the text (e.g., name, dates, life story, and messages), consider readability. You may want to use Canva’s grid and margin tools to align elements and maintain balance.
- Use Professional Fonts: Choose simple and professional fonts. Canva offers hundreds of font options, but it’s best to stick with clear, legible fonts for an obituary.
Step 3: Prepare for Commercial Printing
Commercial printing has specific requirements to ensure that your design looks its best in print. Pay attention to the following key steps:
- File Type Selection:
- PDF Print: For high-quality printing, select "PDF Print" when downloading your file. This ensures that the design will be optimized for printing.
- Click on the “Download” button at the top right corner of Canva.
- Under “File Type,” select PDF Print.
- Crop Marks and Bleed:
- Commercial printers often require designs to include crop marks and bleed to ensure there are no unprinted edges after trimming.
- Before downloading, check the option that says “Crop Marks and Bleed”. This will ensure your design extends slightly beyond the final cut line, which is essential for preventing any white borders from showing up after trimming.
- To do this, after selecting "PDF Print," click the option for Crop Marks and Bleed before finalizing the download.
- Commercial printers often require designs to include crop marks and bleed to ensure there are no unprinted edges after trimming.
- Color Profile (CMYK):
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is used for digital screens, but for printing, you need to use the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color profile to ensure the colors in your design print correctly.
- Canva doesn't allow you to manually change the color profile to CMYK within the design tool, but the PDF Print option automatically adjusts colors to CMYK. Always verify this with your commercial printer, as they may have specific color requirements.
Step 4: Download the Design
After you've checked all the necessary boxes (file type, crop marks, bleed, and color profile), follow these steps to download your design:
- Download the PDF: Once you’ve selected "PDF Print," clicked the “Crop Marks and Bleed” option, and ensured it's in CMYK, click the "Download" button. Canva will prepare your file for download.
- File Size: Be aware that the PDF Print file may be larger in size than a standard PDF. This is normal, as it’s optimized for high-quality printing. Save the file in a location where you can easily access it.
Step 5: Review and Proof
Before sending the file to the printer:
- Proofread the Content: Double-check all spelling, dates, and personal information in the obituary. It can be helpful to have a second set of eyes review it as well.
- Check the Design: Open the downloaded PDF to make sure everything looks as it should. Ensure that no critical elements are too close to the edges and that the crop marks and bleed are properly applied.
- Test Print: If you have access to a color printer, do a test print at home to see how it looks on paper. This can give you a preview of what the commercial print will look like and help you catch any last-minute design or layout issues.
Step 6: Send to Printer
Once you’re satisfied with the design, send the PDF file to your commercial printer. Make sure to communicate the following details with your printer:
- File Type: Specify that the file is a PDF with crop marks and bleed.
- Color Profile: Mention that the design is in CMYK color mode, and ask if they have any specific printing instructions regarding colors.
- Paper Quality: Ask your printer about paper quality options. For obituaries, heavier paper stock (such as 100 lb. or higher) is usually recommended to give the program a professional feel.
Conclusion
Using Canva to create obituaries for commercial printing is a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps. Make sure to download your design as a PDF Print with crop marks and bleed, and ensure that the color profile is CMYK. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and professional obituary ready for printing.