Getting Started
Is Print for Figma free?
Is Print for Figma free?
- 72/year (save 25%)
- Unlimited exports
- Advanced features (spot colors, custom ICC profiles)
- Priority support
How do I install the plugin?
How do I install the plugin?
- Go to Figma Community
- Click “Install”
- Open Figma and press
Cmd/Ctrl + / - Type “Print for Figma” and press Enter
Do I need printing knowledge to use this?
Do I need printing knowledge to use this?
- We have comprehensive tutorials
- Templates for common projects
- Automatic settings for most cases
- Community support on Discord
What file format does it export?
What file format does it export?
- PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 (print standards)
- With embedded ICC profiles
- CMYK or RGB color mode
- Crop marks and bleed included
Print Basics
What is bleed and do I need it?
What is bleed and do I need it?
- Your design has color/images to the edge
- There’s no white border
- You’re printing professionally
- Your design has white margins all around
- You’re printing on a home printer
What's the difference between RGB and CMYK?
What's the difference between RGB and CMYK?
- RGB = Screen colors (light-based, more vibrant)
- CMYK = Print colors (ink-based, slightly subdued)
Why do my colors look different in the PDF?
Why do my colors look different in the PDF?
- RGB vs CMYK: Printers use CMYK (narrower color range)
- ICC Profile: Different profiles = slight color variations
- Monitor: Your screen isn’t color-calibrated
- PDF Viewer: May not display colors accurately
What DPI should I use?
What DPI should I use?
- Business cards, brochures: 300 DPI
- Large posters (viewed from distance): 150-200 DPI
- Billboards: 50-100 DPI
How big should my bleed be?
How big should my bleed be?
- Small items (cards, flyers): 3mm
- Large posters: 5-10mm
- Books with binding: 3-5mm + gutter margin
Using the Plugin
Which ICC profile should I use?
Which ICC profile should I use?
- US printing: US Web Coated (SWOP) v2
- Asian printing: Japan Color 2001
- Uncoated paper: PSO Uncoated ISO 12647
- Not sure? Ask your printer!
Do I need to convert text to outlines?
Do I need to convert text to outlines?
Can I export multiple pages at once?
Can I export multiple pages at once?
How do I check if my images are high enough resolution?
How do I check if my images are high enough resolution?
Open Plugin
Go to DPI Check Tab
Review Results
- ✅ Green = Good (300+ DPI)
- ⚠️ Yellow/Red = Too low, replace image
File Issues
My PDF file is huge (over 100MB). How do I reduce it?
My PDF file is huge (over 100MB). How do I reduce it?
- Too many high-res images
- Images larger than needed (over 300 DPI)
- Unoptimized image compression
- Enable compression: Export tab → Image Compression: 85%
- Enable downsampling: Reduce images to 300 DPI
- Optimize in Figma: Resize large images before exporting
- Use JPG: For photos, JPG compresses better than PNG
Export is taking forever / plugin is frozen
Export is taking forever / plugin is frozen
- Very large file (many high-res images)
- Complex vector graphics
- Browser/memory issues
- Wait: Large files take time (5-10 minutes for 100+ MB)
- Simplify: Reduce complexity, flatten some layers
- Restart: Close and reopen Figma
- Split files: Export pages separately
- Use Desktop App: Better performance than browser
Printer rejected my file. Why?
Printer rejected my file. Why?
- Wrong color mode: Still in RGB (need CMYK)
- No bleed: Missing required bleed
- Wrong format: Not PDF/X compliant
- Low resolution: Images below 300 DPI
- Missing fonts: Fonts not embedded
- File too large: Over their upload limit
My text looks blurry in the PDF
My text looks blurry in the PDF
- DPI set to 300 (not lower)
- Text not rasterized in Figma
- Font size at least 6-8pt
- PDF viewer zoom at 100%+
- Not using a very thin font weight
Colors & Printing
Can I use Pantone colors?
Can I use Pantone colors?
- Color tab → Spot Colors section
- Select from built-in Pantone library
- Map your design colors to Pantone
How do I match my brand colors exactly?
How do I match my brand colors exactly?
- Get approved CMYK values: Ask brand team for official CMYK
- Use spot colors: Print with Pantone for exact match
- Custom color mapping: Define exact CMYK for your RGB brand colors
My blacks look different - some are darker
My blacks look different - some are darker
- Pure black (K100): Lighter, used for text
- Rich black (C40 M30 Y30 K100): Darker, used for large areas
Will my print look exactly like my screen?
Will my print look exactly like my screen?
- Screens emit light (RGB) - brighter
- Printers use ink (CMYK) - more subdued
- Paper affects color
- Lighting affects how you see it
Working with Printers
What information does my printer need?
What information does my printer need?
- Final trim size (e.g., 90mm × 54mm)
- Quantity needed
- Paper type and weight (e.g., 350gsm coated)
- Finish (matte, gloss, etc.)
- Special features (spot UV, embossing, etc.)
- Turnaround time needed
How do I know if my file is print-ready?
How do I know if my file is print-ready?
- PDF format (not PNG/JPG)
- CMYK color mode (or spot colors)
- 300 DPI resolution
- 3mm bleed on all sides
- Crop marks present
- Safe area respected (text 3mm+ from edge)
- File size reasonable (under 200MB)
Should I order a proof before printing?
Should I order a proof before printing?
- Digital proof: PDF review (free but not accurate for color)
- Physical proof: Actual print sample (costs ~$10-50)
- Critical projects (business cards, brand materials)
- First time with a printer
- Complex color requirements
- Large print runs (saves money if there’s an issue)
- Simple projects you’ve done before
- Very small quantities
- Time-sensitive projects
Troubleshooting
Plugin won't open / keeps crashing
Plugin won't open / keeps crashing
- Refresh Figma: Close and reopen completely
- Clear cache: Help → Troubleshooting → Clear cache
- Update plugin: Check for updates in Community
- Try Desktop app: If using browser
- Reinstall: Remove and reinstall plugin
- Contact support: If still broken
Frame not showing in plugin / can't export
Frame not showing in plugin / can't export
- Frame is selected before opening plugin
- Frame is top-level (not nested deeply)
- Frame has content (not empty)
- Frame dimensions are reasonable (not 0×0)
Getting error messages on export
Getting error messages on export
- Try again
- Close other apps
- Use smaller file
- Check dimensions
- Max usually ~10000px per side
- Check which image failed
- Re-embed or replace
Pro Features
What's included in Pro?
What's included in Pro?
- ✅ Unlimited PDF exports (vs 5 trial)
- ✅ Spot color / Pantone support
- ✅ Custom color mapping
- ✅ Upload custom ICC profiles
- ✅ Advanced overprint settings
- ✅ Priority email support (same-day)
- ✅ Early access to new features
Can I cancel anytime?
Can I cancel anytime?
- Cancel anytime from your account
- No cancellation fees
- Keep access until end of billing period
- Can re-subscribe later
Is there a student/nonprofit discount?
Is there a student/nonprofit discount?
- Students (with valid .edu email)
- Nonprofits (with proof)
- Educational institutions