Can You Print from Figma? Yes — Here's How

Short answer: Yes, you can absolutely print from Figma, but Figma alone doesn't produce professional print-ready files. You need additional tools or plugins to add CMYK conversion, bleed, crop marks, and PDF/X compliance that commercial printers require.

Figma is excellent for design, but it lacks built-in print production features. This guide shows you exactly how to go from Figma design to professional print output.

What Figma CAN Do (Out of the Box)

Figma has some basic print-related capabilities:

Design at Print Dimensions

✅ Create frames at exact print sizes:

Business cards: 3.5×2" (89×51mm)
Flyers: 8.5×11" (Letter) or 210×297mm (A4)
Posters: 24×36" (609.6×914.4mm)
Custom sizes: Any dimensions you need

✅ Work in millimeters, inches, or pixels

✅ Use Auto Layout for consistent spacing

Export Basic PDFs

✅ File → Export → PDF format

✅ Choose specific frames or entire pages

✅ Scale exports (1x, 2x, 3x)

Export High-Resolution Images

✅ Export PNG/JPG at various scales (2x, 3x for higher resolution)

✅ Control background (transparent or opaque)

✅ Select quality for JPG exports

What Figma CANNOT Do (Out of the Box)

Figma lacks critical print production features:

No CMYK Color Conversion

❌ Figma works only in RGB color space

❌ No option to convert to CMYK

❌ No embedded ICC color profiles

Why this matters:

Professional printers use CMYK inks
RGB colors look different when printed in CMYK
Bright colors (blues, greens) often shift unexpectedly
Files get rejected or colors look wrong

No Bleed Support

❌ Can't automatically add bleed margins

❌ Must manually extend designs beyond frame

❌ Easy to make errors

Why this matters:

Most print jobs require 3mm or 0.125" bleed
Prevents white edges after cutting
Manual bleed is time-consuming and error-prone

No Crop Marks

❌ Can't add registration marks

❌ No trim indicators

❌ Printers don't know where to cut

Why this matters:

Commercial printers require crop marks
Shows exact cut lines
Ensures accurate trimming

No DPI Verification

❌ Works in pixels only (not DPI)

❌ No way to verify 300 DPI quality

❌ Must manually calculate dimensions

Why this matters:

300 DPI is industry minimum for print
Incorrect calculations = pixelated prints
Time-consuming math for every project

No PDF/X Export

❌ Exports basic PDF only

❌ Not PDF/X-4 or PDF/X-1a (print standards)

❌ Missing print-specific metadata

Why this matters:

Print shops require PDF/X format
Standard PDFs may be rejected
Lacks proper color management

How to Actually Print from Figma: Three Methods

Method One: Use Print for Figma Plugin (Recommended)

Print for Figma adds all missing print features to Figma in one plugin.

What Print for Figma Adds

✅ Automatic CMYK conversion - RGB → CMYK with ICC profiles

✅ Bleed generation - Automatic 3mm/0.125" bleed (4 modes: Extend, Mirror, Blur, Solid)

✅ Crop marks - One-click registration marks

✅ DPI verification - Built-in 300 DPI checker with warnings

✅ PDF/X-4 export - Industry-standard print PDFs

✅ Multi-page support - Export entire documents as one PDF

✅ Spot colors - Preserve Pantone/custom colors

How to Use It

Install plugin - Get Print for Figma →
Design in Figma - Create your frames at print size
Run plugin - Plugins → Print for Figma
Configure settings:
- Enable CMYK conversion
- Add 3mm bleed
- Enable crop marks
- Verify 300 DPI (automatic)
Export PDF - One click → print-ready PDF/X-4

Time: Under 2 minutes from design to print-ready file

Cost: Free plan (5 exports/month) or Pro ($9/month, unlimited)

Full tutorial: How to Use Print for Figma →

When to Use This Method

✅ Professional client work

✅ Commercial printing

✅ Need CMYK accuracy

✅ Multi-page documents

✅ Regular print projects

Method Two: Manual Preparation (Advanced)

If you can't use plugins, you can manually prepare files for print.

Step-by-Step Manual Process

1. Calculate 300 DPI dimensions

Formula: Pixels = (Inches) × 300 DPI

Examples:

Business card 3.5×2": 1050×600 pixels
Flyer 8.5×11": 2550×3300 pixels
Poster 24×36": 7200×10800 pixels

Use our Pixels Calculator →

2. Add bleed manually

Extend frame by 3mm (0.125") on all sides
Extend design to new frame edges
Mark safe area for important content

3. Export PDF from Figma

Right-click frame → Export
Format: PDF
Scale: 1x (critical!)
Export

4. Convert RGB to CMYK (requires Adobe)

Open in Adobe Acrobat Pro
Tools → Print Production → Convert Colors
RGB → CMYK (ISO Coated v2 or US Web Coated SWOP)
Convert

5. Add crop marks (requires Adobe)

Tools → Print Production → Add Printer Marks
Check "Crop marks"
Offset: 3mm
Apply

Manual Method Requirements

Adobe Acrobat Pro ($54.99/month)
Print production knowledge
15-30 minutes per file
Error-prone process

When to Use This Method

✅ One-time projects

✅ Already have Adobe subscription

✅ Full control over every setting

❌ Not recommended for regular print work (too time-consuming)

Method Three: Export for Home Printing

For home inkjet/laser printers, Figma's basic PDF export works fine.

Home Printing Workflow

Design at print size in Figma
Export as PDF (File → Export → PDF)
Print from PDF viewer:
- Adobe Reader / Preview
- Scale: "Actual size" or 100%
- Paper: Match your stock
- Print

Home Printing Limitations

✅ Good for: Proofs, drafts, personal projects, small quantities

❌ Not good for: Professional quality, large runs, accurate colors

No CMYK: Home printers handle RGB to CMYK automatically (results vary)

No bleed: Cut manually if needed

No crop marks: Not needed for home printing

DPI: Ensure frame size gives 300 DPI at print dimensions

Common Print-from-Figma Scenarios

Scenario One: Business Cards for Client

Requirements: Professional quality, CMYK, bleed, crop marks

Best method: Print for Figma plugin

Workflow:

Design 89×51mm business card in Figma
Run Print for Figma
Enable CMYK + 3mm bleed + crop marks
Export PDF/X-4
Send to print shop

Time: 2 minutes

Business Card Guide →

Scenario Two: Event Flyer (Print at Home)

Requirements: Quick prints, 20 copies, home printer

Best method: Basic PDF export

Workflow:

Design 8.5×11" flyer in Figma (2550×3300px for 300 DPI)
Export as PDF
Print on home printer

Time: 5 minutes

Flyer Design Guide →

Scenario Three: Magazine Layouts (Multi-Page)

Requirements: 24-page document, CMYK, professional printing

Best method: Print for Figma Pro (multi-page feature)

Workflow:

Design all 24 pages in Figma
Select all frames in order
Run Print for Figma Pro
Enable multi-page PDF export
Configure CMYK + bleed + crop marks
Export single PDF with all pages

Time: 3 minutes for entire 24-page document

Magazine Design Guide →

Scenario Four: Large Poster (60×40 inches)

Requirements: Large format printing, 150 DPI acceptable

Best method: Print for Figma with adjusted DPI

Workflow:

Design at final size: 60×40" (9000×6000px for 150 DPI)
Run Print for Figma
Note: DPI checker shows yellow (150 DPI) — acceptable for large posters viewed from distance
Enable CMYK + 0.125" bleed + crop marks
Export PDF/X-4

Time: 2 minutes

Note: Large posters don't need 300 DPI (viewed from far away)

Poster Design Guide →

Figma Print Workflow: Best Practices

Design Phase

✅ DO:

Design at exact final print size (including bleed if adding manually)
Use correct pixel dimensions for 300 DPI
Keep important content 3-5mm from edges (safe area)
Use high-resolution images (minimum 300 DPI)
Check design at 100% scale

❌ DON'T:

Design at screen resolution then scale up
Place text too close to trim edges
Use low-res images (below 300 DPI)
Forget about bleed requirements

Color Considerations

✅ DO:

Understand RGB → CMYK conversion may shift colors
Use CMYK-safe colors for critical brand colors
Request printed proofs for color-critical projects
Consider Pantone spot colors for exact matching

❌ DON'T:

Expect screen colors to match print exactly
Use neon RGB colors (won't reproduce in CMYK)
Skip color proofs on important projects

Export Settings

✅ DO:

Always export at 1x scale (not 2x or 3x)
Use PDF format for print
Verify file size is reasonable (under 50MB)
Check exported PDF before sending to printer

❌ DON'T:

Export PNG/JPG for professional printing (use PDF)
Change scale settings randomly
Send files without verifying

Can Figma Replace Adobe InDesign for Print?

Short answer: For many print projects, yes. For complex layouts, partially.

When Figma Replaces InDesign Well

✅ Business cards - Excellent

✅ Flyers & posters - Excellent

✅ Simple brochures - Very good (with Print for Figma Pro multi-page)

✅ Social media prints - Excellent

✅ Packaging - Good (with proper setup)

✅ Event materials - Excellent

When InDesign Still Better

❌ Long documents (100+ pages) - InDesign's master pages and styles more efficient

❌ Advanced typography - InDesign has more type controls

❌ Complex tables - InDesign's table editor more powerful

❌ Footnotes/endnotes - InDesign has built-in support

❌ Books with indices - InDesign has better tools

The Hybrid Approach

Many designers use:

Figma for design, mockups, brand assets, shorter print materials
InDesign for books, magazines, complex multi-page layouts
Print for Figma to bridge the gap and handle most print needs from Figma

Print-from-Figma Comparison Table

Feature	Figma Alone	Figma + Print Plugin	Adobe InDesign
Design interface	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern	⭐⭐⭐ Traditional
CMYK export	❌	✅	✅
Bleed support	Manual only	✅ Automatic	✅
Crop marks	❌	✅	✅
DPI verification	Manual calc	✅ Built-in	Manual
PDF/X export	❌	✅	✅
Multi-page	Manual merge	✅ Pro feature	✅
Learning curve	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy	⭐⭐ Hard
Cost	Free-$12/mo	Free-$9/mo extra	$54.99/mo
Time per export	30+ min manual	Under 2 min	5-10 min

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Figma export CMYK PDFs?

No, Figma only exports RGB PDFs. To get CMYK PDFs from Figma, use the Print for Figma plugin (automatic CMYK conversion) or manually convert using Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Can I print Figma designs at home?

Yes! Export your design as PDF from Figma, then print from Adobe Reader or Preview. Make sure your Figma frame is sized correctly for 300 DPI at your desired print size. Home printers handle RGB to CMYK conversion automatically.

Do I need Adobe software to print from Figma professionally?

No. Print for Figma plugin eliminates the need for Adobe Illustrator or Acrobat. It handles CMYK conversion, bleed, crop marks, and PDF/X export entirely within Figma.

What's the maximum print size I can export from Figma?

Figma frames can be very large. Print for Figma supports exports up to 60×80 inches at 300 DPI. For larger sizes, use 150-200 DPI which is acceptable for posters viewed from a distance.

How do I know if my Figma design is 300 DPI?

Formula: DPI = Pixels ÷ Physical inches. Example: 2550×3300px frame for 8.5×11" print = 300 DPI. Or use Print for Figma's automatic DPI checker that shows green/yellow/red indicators.

Can print shops accept files exported from Figma?

Yes, if properly prepared. Print shops need PDF/X-4 files with CMYK colors, bleed, and crop marks. Print for Figma exports meet all commercial printing requirements. Basic Figma PDF exports (RGB, no bleed) will likely be rejected.

Is Figma good enough for professional print design?

Yes, for most print projects. With Print for Figma plugin, you can create professional business cards, flyers, posters, brochures, and packaging that meet commercial printing standards. Complex multi-page layouts (100+ pages) may still be easier in InDesign.

Next Steps: Start Printing from Figma Today

Get Started

Install Print for Figma - Free plugin →
Read the tutorial - How to Use Guide →
Try a simple project - Design a business card or flyer
Export your first PDF - CMYK + bleed + crop marks

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