How to Change DPI in Canva

Canva does not expose a DPI setting and most exports default to 96 DPI. Here’s the workaround that gives you a 300 DPI file the print shop will accept.

The problem

Canva designs are sized in pixels (or in “mm/in” on Pro). The free PNG/JPG export saves at 96 DPI metadata. Print shops that auto-reject anything below 300 DPI will reject your file even if it has plenty of pixels.

Solution: design at the right pixel size, then re-tag

  1. Open Canva and create a Custom Size in pixels.
  2. For a 300 DPI print of an X×Y inch piece, set the canvas to (X × 300) × (Y × 300) px. Use the Inches to Pixels Converter.
  3. Design your artwork.
  4. Download as PNG or JPG (highest quality).
  5. Run the file through our DPI Converter set to 300 DPI — this rewrites the metadata tag, no resampling.
  6. Verify with the DPI Checker.

Canva Pro shortcut

If you have Canva Pro, the “Print” download option exports a PDF at 300 DPI with crop marks and bleed. Use that path for any print job — PNG/JPG always need the metadata correction above.

Pixel reference

  • 4×6″ postcard → 1200×1800 px canvas.
  • 5×7″ invitation → 1500×2100 px.
  • 8.5×11″ flyer → 2550×3300 px.
  • 11×17″ poster → 3300×5100 px.

Related guides & tools

→ Change DPI in Photoshop→ Change DPI in Word→ Change DPI Without Photoshop→ DPI Converter→ Inches to Pixels→ Print Size Calculator

Related Tools & Guides

Continue with practical tools and supporting tutorials for better image and print outcomes.

DPI Converter DPI Checker Convert to 300 DPI Print Size Calculator Image Compressor DPI for Printing What Is DPI DPI Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change DPI in Canva?
Canva does not expose a DPI setting. Free PNG/JPG exports default to 96 DPI. The reliable workaround: design at the correct pixel size, then re-tag the export to 300 DPI with our DPI Converter.
Does Canva export at 300 DPI?
Only on Canva Pro’s “Print” PDF download — that uses 300 DPI with crop marks. Free PNG/JPG exports always come out at 96 DPI metadata regardless of pixel size.
How do I make a Canva design print-ready at 300 DPI?
Set the canvas to width-in-inches × 300 by height-in-inches × 300 (e.g. 4×6″ print = 1200×1800 px). Download as PNG or JPG, then run it through our DPI Converter at 300.
Why does Canva say my design is "low resolution" for print?
Because the canvas pixel dimensions are too small for the chosen print size, or because Canva applied automatic compression on download. Recreate the design at higher pixel dimensions.