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Export Settings Overview

The Export Settings tab controls how your design is converted to PDF, including resolution, file size, and PDF format compliance.
Critical for quality: Export settings determine if your PDF will be accepted by professional printers.

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Accessing Export Settings

1

Select Frame

Click the frame you want to export
2

Launch Plugin

Plugins → Print for Figma
3

Export Tab

Click “Export” tab in plugin interface

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Key Export Settings

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1. DPI (Resolution)

Dots Per Inch - Image quality setting
  • 300 DPI (Standard)
  • 150 DPI (Draft)
  • 600 DPI (High-End)
  • Custom DPI
Resolution: 300 pixels per inchQuality: Professional print qualityFile size: MediumWhen to use:
  • All professional printing
  • Business cards
  • Brochures
  • Magazines
  • Books
  • Marketing materials
✅ Industry standard - Use this!Why 300?:
  • Human eye threshold (~250-300 DPI)
  • Sharp text and images
  • Accepted by all printers

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Effective DPI vs Output DPI

Important distinction: Output DPI (what you set): 300 DPI
  • How dense pixels are rendered
Effective DPI (actual image quality):
  • Depends on source image resolution
  • Can be lower if image is small
Example: 
Source image: 600px × 600px
Printed size: 2" × 2"
Effective DPI: 600 ÷ 2 = 300 DPI ✓

Source image: 300px × 300px
Printed size: 2" × 2"
Effective DPI: 300 ÷ 2 = 150 DPI ✗ Too low!
Use DPI Checker (in plugin) to verify all images ≥ 300 DPI See DPI Guide

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2. Compression

Balance between quality and file size
  • None (Maximum Quality)
  • Minimal (95%)
  • Standard (85%)
  • Medium (75%)
  • Low (60%)
Compression: 0%Quality: Perfect, losslessFile size: LargestWhen to use:
  • Color-critical work
  • Fine art
  • Photography portfolios
  • Maximum quality needed
Trade-offs:
  • Very large files (10-50+ MB)
  • Slow email/transfer
  • Longer processing
Best for: When quality is paramount
Recommendation: Use 85% (Standard) for balance of quality and size

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3. PDF Format

PDF standard compliance
  • PDF (Standard)
  • PDF/X-1a
  • PDF/X-3
  • PDF/X-4
Format: Regular PDFCompatibility: UniversalFeatures: All PDF features availableWhen to use:
  • Digital distribution
  • Screen viewing
  • Desktop printing
  • When printer doesn’t specify
Pros:
  • Widely compatible
  • Flexible
  • Supports all features
Cons:
  • May not be optimized for print
  • No guaranteed print compliance
Recommendation:
  • PDF/X-1a for offset printing (most reliable)
  • PDF/X-3 for modern digital printing
  • PDF (Standard) when unsure

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4. Font Embedding

Ensures text displays correctly
  • Embed All Fonts
  • Subset Fonts
  • Don't Embed
Action: Includes font data in PDFResult: Text appears exactly as designedFile size: Slightly larger (+100-500KB)When to use:
  • Always for professional printing
  • Ensures consistency
  • Prevents substitution
✅ Always enableWhy important:
  • Printer may not have your fonts
  • Substitution ruins layout
  • Professional standard
Recommendation: Always Embed fonts (subset)

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5. Image Handling

How raster images are processed
  • Embed Images
  • Downsample Images
  • Optimize Images
Action: Includes full image data in PDFResult: Self-contained PDFWhen to use:
  • Standard for print
  • Sending to printer
  • Archiving
Pros:
  • Single file
  • Complete package
  • No missing links
File size: Larger (all image data included)

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6. Transparency Handling

How transparent elements are processed
  • Flatten Transparency
  • Preserve Transparency
Action: Converts transparency to opaque layersResult: No transparency in PDFWhen to use:
  • PDF/X-1a required (mandatory)
  • Older print workflows
  • Maximum compatibility
Process:
Semi-transparent blue circle over red square
↓ (Flattening)
Purple circle (mixed) over red square
Pros:
  • Universal compatibility
  • Predictable output
  • No transparency errors
Cons:
  • Can’t edit transparency later
  • May create small artifacts

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7. Overprint Settings

How overlapping colors print
  • Automatic Black Overprint
  • Manual Overprint Control
Action: Black elements overprint automaticallyResult: Prevents registration gapsWhen to use:
  • Enable for all professional printing
What it does:
  • Black text: Overprints ✓
  • Black lines: Overprint ✓
  • Other colors: Knockout (default)
✅ Industry standardSee Overprint Guide

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Export Workflow

1

Configure Document

Document Tab:
  • Bleed: 0.125” ✓
  • Crop marks: Enabled ✓
  • Safety zone: 0.25” ✓
2

Set Color Options

Color Tab:
  • Convert to CMYK: ✓
  • ICC Profile: ISO Coated v2 ✓
  • Black handling: Automatic ✓
3

Configure Export

Export Tab:
  • DPI: 300 ✓
  • Compression: 85% ✓
  • Format: PDF/X-1a ✓
  • Embed fonts: Yes ✓
  • Flatten transparency: Yes ✓
  • Auto black overprint: Yes ✓
4

Run DPI Check

DPI Checker Tab:
  • Verify all images ≥ 300 DPI
  • Replace low-res images if needed
5

Export PDF

Click “Export PDF” buttonChoose save locationWait for processing (a few seconds)
6

Verify PDF

Open in PDF viewerCheck:
  • Crop marks visible
  • Text sharp
  • Images clear
  • Colors look correct

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File Size Optimization

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Reducing File Size

If PDF is too large:
Change: 85% → 75%Savings: 20-40% smallerQuality impact: Slight, usually acceptableWhen: File > 10MB and email/upload needed
Action: Reduce image resolution to needed DPISavings: 30-60% smallerQuality impact: None if images are oversizedExample:
Image at 600 DPI → Downsample to 300 DPI
File size: 50% smaller
Quality: Identical (300 DPI sufficient)
Process:
  • Resize images to actual print dimensions
  • Remove unnecessary pixels
  • Compress before adding to Figma
Tools: Photoshop, TinyPNG, ImageOptimResult: Much smaller source = smaller PDF
Check design for:
  • Hidden layers
  • Off-canvas elements
  • Duplicate images
  • Unnecessary effects
Clean up before exporting

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File Size Guidelines

Project TypeTarget SizeMaximum
Business Card< 2MB5MB
Flyer (single page)< 5MB10MB
Brochure (multi-page)< 10MB25MB
Booklet (10+ pages)< 20MB50MB
Catalog (50+ pages)< 50MB100MB
If exceeding maximums: Optimize using above methods

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Multi-Page Export

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Exporting Multiple Pages

  • Multiple Frames → Single PDF
  • One Frame Per PDF
  • Spreads
Action: Select multiple framesResult: One PDF with multiple pagesPage order: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right in FigmaUse for:
  • Brochures
  • Booklets
  • Catalogs
  • Multi-page documents

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Output Filename

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Naming Your PDF

Good naming conventions: 
✓ BusinessCard_Front_FINAL.pdf
✓ Brochure_8Pages_CMYK_300dpi.pdf
✓ Poster_18x24_ISOCoatedv2.pdf
✓ Flyer_v3_2025-01-15.pdf
Include:
  • Project name
  • Version (if multiple)
  • Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
  • Specs (optional but helpful)
Avoid: 
✗ untitled.pdf
✗ design.pdf
✗ final final FINAL v2 (1).pdf

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Export Presets (Pro)

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Saving Export Settings

Pro Feature: Save commonly-used configurations
1

Configure All Settings

Set Document, Color, and Export tabs as desired
2

Save as Preset

Click “Save Preset”Name it: “Business Cards - CMYK 300DPI”
3

Reuse Anytime

For future projects:
  • Select frame
  • Choose preset from dropdown
  • All settings applied instantly
Popular presets:
  • “Standard CMYK Print” (300 DPI, PDF/X-1a, ISO Coated v2)
  • “US Offset Printing” (300 DPI, PDF/X-1a, SWOP)
  • “High-Res Photography” (600 DPI, no compression, PDF/X-3)
  • “Quick Proof” (150 DPI, 75% compression, standard PDF)

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Troubleshooting Export

Solutions:
  • Increase compression (85% → 75%)
  • Enable image downsampling
  • Optimize source images
  • Remove hidden/unused elements
See “File Size Optimization” above
Causes:
  • Very large file
  • Complex design
  • Memory limit
Solutions:
  • Close other Figma files
  • Restart Figma
  • Simplify design (fewer effects)
  • Export in smaller batches
Causes:
  • DPI too low
  • Too much compression
  • Fonts not embedded
Solutions:
  • Set DPI to 300
  • Reduce compression (75% → 85%)
  • Enable font embedding
Causes:
  • Wrong ICC profile
  • CMYK conversion
  • Uncalibrated monitor
Solutions:
  • Verify correct ICC profile
  • Order physical proof
  • Remember: screen ≠ print
Common reasons:
  • Wrong PDF format
  • RGB instead of CMYK
  • Fonts not embedded
  • No bleed
Solutions:
  • Use PDF/X-1a format
  • Enable CMYK conversion
  • Embed all fonts
  • Add 0.125” bleed
  • Ask printer for specifications

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Export Checklist

Before final export:
  • DPI set to 300: Professional quality
  • Compression at 85%: Quality + size balance
  • PDF/X-1a format: Print-ready standard
  • Fonts embedded: Subset embedding on
  • Transparency flattened: If using PDF/X-1a
  • Black overprint enabled: Automatic setting on
  • Images optimized: Downsampling enabled
  • DPI check passed: All images ≥ 300 DPI
  • File size reasonable: Within target range
  • PDF verified: Opened and inspected

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Learn More

DPI & Resolution

Understanding print resolution

Color Conversion

RGB to CMYK settings

Document Setup

Bleed and crop marks

File Size Issues

Optimize large PDFs
Pro Tip: Save your settings as a preset! Consistent export settings = consistent quality across all projects.