Does Canva Do Print-on-Demand?

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Yes, Canva offers print-on-demand services on its platform. This makes printing and shipping designs convenient, but the drawbacks are that Canva does not dropship and its product range may be limited.

Still, the single platform convenience does make it appealing for some, and Canva is also very user-friendly.

For true professionals who want to get the most out of print-on-demand services, we’ve written a guide to the best print-on-demand sites. In regards to Canva, here is what you can expect from its services:

Advantages of Canva for Print-on-Demand

Canva’s primary advantage is its ease of use for beginners. Its user interface becomes intuitive after just a few hours of working with the platform. Once a user understands how to mock up images, posters, and designs, they can work quickly. Those looking to dip their toes into print-on-demand services won’t go wrong by starting with Canva.

Another nice feature is that you never have to leave the platform. There’s no need to download files from Canva and upload them to a second website. This also means there's no need for an account with a separate print company. The same is true for billing–all of it is handled through the Canva dashboard.

Lastly, while Canva does have a more limited range of products available, it isn’t a huge difference. Most designers will find their options to be more than sufficient. Users will only run into problems when they need outside-the-box solutions.

The Downsides of Canva

Being great for beginners means never quite reaching the potential of professional software. From a starter’s standpoint, Canva is quick and easy. However, getting the smallest details and ultimate customization often requires more advanced software, such as Adobe.

On the printing side, Canva also falls short in a few categories, and pricing is one of them. Yes, single platform convenience is nice, but not when you pay far more than print-only websites.

There are discounts for bulk orders, but the order sizes will leave medium and larger enterprises wanting more. Once you reach large order status, it's time to move on to a bigger site that specializes in printing.

Canva also offers no drop shipping option. After it’s printed, it ships to you (or your warehouse) and not your customer. This requires mailing it a second time when it could have been shipped directly to the customer. This adds labor costs to Canva’s already steep markup.

Should I Print on Demand With Canva?

Canva isn’t all bad. There is a reason it is one of the most downloaded apps for graphic design. Adding a print feature to their website was a no-brainer for its business. Many users find it convenient and use Canva’s printing services regularly–just be prepared to pay for that simplicity.

Once a print-on-demand-based business gets off the ground, it’s time to move on from Canva. Start by looking for sites that offer discounts on bulk orders for the best-selling items. Thanks to economies of scale, the profitability of print-on-demand stores is highest with large orders.

Bogdan Rancea

Bogdan is a founding member of Inspired Mag, having accumulated almost 6 years of experience over this period. In his spare time he likes to study classical music and explore visual arts. He’s quite obsessed with fixies as well. He owns 5 already.

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