Print Only Service

Designing for a die-cut shape

Arches, ovals and other die-cut shapes add a beautiful finishing touch. To make sure your design fits your shape perfectly, I'll send you a template for your chosen shape. Here's how to set it up in Canva.

Your Template

Browse the options in my shapes guide, then let me know which shape you'd like in your quote request. I'll send you a PDF template in the right size, ready to use.

Each template has three guides to help you:

• Red line: the cut line, where your card will be trimmed to shape
• Black line: the bleed line. Extend any background colour or images out to here
• Safe zone: the area 5mm inside the cut line. Keep all text and important details inside it

Step 1: Create Your Design

• In Canva, click Create a design, then Custom size
• Change the unit to mm first, then enter the size of your shape (for example, 120 x 180mm for an arch)
• Make sure you choose mm before typing in your size, otherwise Canva will keep it in pixels

Step 2: Add Your Template

• Upload the PDF template I've sent you, then click it to place it on your page
• It will appear smaller than your page at first. Use Position to align it to the centre of the page, both horizontally and vertically
• Drag a corner until the red cut line meets the edge of your page. Please don't stretch or distort the shape

Step 3: Design Your Card

• Turn on File > View settings > Show print bleed and Show rulers and guides to help line things up
• Keep all text and key details inside the safe zone. Adding a border? It should follow the shape (see my print guidelines)
• For curved shapes like arches and ovals, keep the template visible while you design so you can see the curve
• Delete any text from the template itself

Step 4: Delete the Template and Download

• When your design is finished, delete the template. If it's left in, it will print
• Click Share > Download and choose PDF Print
• Tick Crop marks and bleed
• If you have Canva Pro, choose CMYK
• Please don't tick Flatten PDF

Ready to choose your shape? Request a quote and I'll send your template through. New to Canva? See my Canva setup guide.