Designilo

Can Figma Be Used for Print Design?

Figma is widely known for its digital design capabilities, but many designers wonder: can it handle print design too? The answer is yes—with a few caveats. While Figma is not a full replacement for tools like Adobe InDesign or Illustrator when it comes to print production, it can be effectively used for designing flyers, posters, business cards, and other basic print materials.

Can Figma Be Used for Print Design
Can Figma Be Used for Print Design

Why Use Figma for Print Design?

  • Familiarity: If you’re already designing in Figma, it’s convenient to stay in the same ecosystem.
  • Collaboration: Figma’s cloud-based and real-time collaboration features are excellent for team input.
  • Flexibility: You can set up custom dimensions, grids, and export formats suitable for print.

Step 1: Set Your Canvas to Print Dimensions

Figma uses pixels by default, but you can switch to inches or millimeters to match your print specifications.

How to do it:

  1. Create a new frame.
  2. In the right-hand properties panel, type your desired size in inches (e.g., 8.5in by 11in) or millimeters (e.g., 210mm by 297mm).
  3. Figma automatically converts these to pixels at 1x scale (96 DPI), but you can export at 300 DPI for high-resolution print.

Step 2: Use High-Resolution Images and Vectors

To avoid pixelation:

  • Use SVGs or high-resolution PNG/JPGs.
  • Avoid relying on low-res web images.
  • Keep your vector illustrations sharp by scaling them properly.

Step 3: Design with Print Principles in Mind

Keep in mind standard print design considerations:

  • Bleed and Margins: Manually create guides to simulate bleed (typically 0.125in).
  • Typography: Use fonts that are either embedded or well-supported in print.
  • Color: Figma only supports RGB, not CMYK. Colors may shift when printed, so do test prints.

Step 4: Export in Print-Ready Formats

  • Use PDF for most print deliverables.
  • Choose the 300x DPI export option for higher print quality.
  • For small-scale print like stickers or cards, SVG may also work.

To export:

  1. Select your frame.
  2. Click Export in the bottom-right panel.
  3. Choose PDF, PNG @ 300x, or SVG, depending on the need.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

  • Color Profiles: Figma doesn’t support CMYK or Pantone colors.
  • No Preflight or Print Presets: You’ll need to set up guides manually and rely on third-party review.
  • File Output Control: Limited options for bleed, crop marks, or spot color control.

When to Use Figma for Print (and When Not To)

Good for:

  • Quick posters
  • Business cards
  • Social campaign print-outs
  • Event flyers
  • Simple brochures

Better tools for:

  • Magazine layouts
  • Packaging design
  • Books or multi-page documents
  • Print work with CMYK/spot color requirements

Conclusion

Figma can absolutely be used for print design, especially for simple and short-run jobs where collaboration and speed matter. Just be mindful of its limitations in color management and advanced print controls. For many modern designers, especially those bridging digital and print, Figma is a solid tool that—when used smartly—can carry your design all the way to paper.

Ben Kemp