How to Print Labels from Canva at True Size
Canva is a fine place to lay out a label. The problem shows up at print time: the browser treats your 4x6 as a document and fits it onto a Letter page with margins. Here's how to print labels from Canva at their actual size instead.
- Build the design at your exact label size. In Canva, use Custom size (for example 4 x 6 in), not a US Letter page. The canvas should match the label corner to corner.
- Export the file. Choose PDF Print for sharp barcodes and small type, or a 300-DPI PNG for graphics-heavy labels. Leave bleed and crop marks off so the export is one label, edge to edge.
- Confirm your label printer is installed on the computer and loaded with the right stock. Zebra, DYMO, Rollo, Brother, MUNBYN, whatever you run.
- Install the free PaperReady Print Bridge (/download/). It finds your USB and network printers on its own, bypasses the browser print dialog, and keeps the file on your machine.
- Open the web app (/app/), drop in the Canva export, choose the printer, and print. The 4x6 comes out at true size, edge to edge, with no scaling to a Letter page.
PaperReady prints straight to your label printer at true size, with no PDF-export-then-reprint
step, unlimited labels, and no per-label fees, on Zebra, DYMO, Rollo, Brother and MUNBYN across Windows, Mac and Linux.
Frequently asked
Why does my Canva label shrink when I print it the usual way?
The browser print dialog reads the export as a page and fits it to Letter or A4, adding margins. The Print Bridge sends it to the label printer at the printer's native size, so a 4x6 export stays a 4x6 print.
PDF Print or PNG when I export from Canva?
PDF Print holds text and barcodes crisp and is the safer pick for shipping labels. A 300-DPI PNG is fine when the label is mostly artwork. The real requirement is that the canvas is your exact label size with no bleed or crop marks.
Do I need Canva Pro or a particular printer brand for this?
No to both. Free Canva sets a custom canvas and exports it, and PaperReady prints on any label printer your operating system can see. No brand lock-in, no per-label fee on top.