Abyssale doesn’t just generate visuals for web. You can also create print-ready designs with all the specifications required for professional printing. Unlike classic static designs (optimized for web in RGB), print designs give you access to advanced print settings:
Color profile selection (including CMYK)
Crop, bleed, and safe margins
Unit selection in inches or millimeters
Custom DPI per format
Print-ready PDFs
This makes them the right choice whenever you need documents for physical printing, not just digital distribution.
Notice: Print design types are available only on the Suite plan. If you’re on a lower plan, you’ll need to upgrade to access them.
Format size limitation
Abyssale supports a wide range of print formats, from business cards to large outdoor formats. The following hard limits apply to all print designs:
Maximum size per side: 10 000 mm (≈ 394 inches)
Maximum total canvas: 225 million pixels (Mpx)
The total pixel count depends on both your canvas dimensions and the DPI you set.
For large formats, the maximum available DPI is automatically adjusted in the editor to stay within the 225 Mpx limit, you will always see the maximum DPI available for your dimensions before generating.
If your dimensions exceed the maximum supported size, the platform will display:
"Format too large. Reduce the width or height to continue."
Need to create a metro poster, billboard, or roll-up? Read our dedicated guide: Designing for Large Print Formats
Print resolution (DPI)
When creating a format, you can define a custom DPI for each format independently. This means a business card and a billboard in the same project can each use the DPI most appropriate for their intended output.
300 DPI is the standard for close-up print formats (flyers, brochures, business cards). For large formats viewed from a distance, a lower DPI is perfectly appropriate and keeps file sizes manageable.
For very large canvases, the maximum DPI may be lower than 300, this is automatically calculated based on your dimensions to ensure successful generation. This helps balance quality, file size, and processing time.
If unsure which DPI to use, check with your printer, they will usually specify the required resolution for your format and viewing distance.
Format type | Viewing distance | Recommended DPI |
Business card, flyer, brochure | < 50 cm | 300 DPI |
Roll-up, banner, trade show panel | 1 – 3 m | 150 DPI |
Large banner, bus shelter, metro poster | 2 – 5 m | 100 DPI |
Billboard, outdoor signage | 5 m+ | 72 – 100 DPI |
The estimated credit cost updates in real time as you adjust DPI in the editor, so you always know what a generation will cost before clicking Generate.
Two types of print designs
When creating a new project, you’ll have to choose between two print design types depending on your needs:
1. Print Multipage design
Supports only one format (e.g. A4 portrait).
That format can contain up to 20 pages per generated PDF.
Perfect for: brochures, booklets, or multi-page presentations.
Notice: The Spreadsheet generation method is not available for multipage designs
2. Print Multi format design
Supports multiple formats within the same design (e.g. A4 flyer + business card + poster, ...).
Each format is limited to one page.
Perfect for: complete print packs where each asset has its own format.
Print vs. Classic Static designs
Feature | Print Design | Classic Static Design |
Color mode | CMYK & RGB | RGB only |
Units | Inches & mm | Pixels only |
Custom DPI | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not supported |
Crop, bleed & safe margins | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not supported |
Color Profile | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not supported |
Multipage support | Up to 20 pages | ❌ Not supported |
PDF output | Professional print-ready PDF | Standard PDF (for web use) |
Tip: Always use Print Designs if your final file is intended for professional printing. Static Designs are best for digital/web usage.
Print-specific settings
Bleed Area
The bleed is the margin that extends your design beyond the cut line. It ensures that no unwanted white borders appear after trimming.
When enabled: extend any background colors, textures, or full-width images into the bleed area.
Example: If your bleed is set to 0.125 in (3 mm), make sure your artwork continues into this zone.
Safe Area
The safe area is the opposite of bleed: it defines a margin inside your design where important content (logos, text, calls-to-action) must remain. Anything outside this area risks being trimmed.
When enabled: keep all essential elements inside the safe area to ensure they are not cut off.
PDF export settings
In addition to bleed and safe areas, Abyssale provides advanced PDF export options for print-ready files.
To acces those settings, save your design and head to the settings of the design from the left panel.
Display crop marks
Adds small marks at the corners of your document to guide printers in trimming on the output pdf generated.
Color profiles
Choose from several industry-standard CMYK profiles (e.g. ISO Coated v2, US Web Coated, Newspaper) or RGB for digital use.
This ensures accurate reproduction of colors across different printers.
Profile | Type | Recommended usage |
CMYK – ISO Coated v2 (ECI) | CMYK | Standard profile for coated paper (most common for general professional printing). |
CMYK – ISO Coated v2 (ECI) 300% | CMYK | Same as above but limited to 300% ink coverage, ideal for high-quality coated prints. |
CMYK – ISO Newspaper26 v4 | CMYK | Optimized for newsprint and low-quality paper with high ink absorption. |
CMYK – ISO Uncoated | CMYK | For uncoated paper (e.g. stationery, letterheads, books). |
CMYK – US Web Coated (SWOP 2006 5v2) | CMYK | Standard for the US printing industry, especially offset web printing. |
RGB – No color profile included | RGB | For digital use only (web, screens). Not suitable for professional printing. |
Vectorize text in PDF
Converts text layers into vector outlines for maximum compatibility and sharp rendering, even if the printer does not have the font installed.
How to create a Print Design
Follow these steps to get started:
Create a new design from scratch in a project
Select your print type
Choose between Print Multipage or Print Multi format.
Set your format nd units
Define the dimensions in inches or millimeters.
Design your content
Add and edit layers just like with static designs.
For multipage designs, add up to 20 pages per format.
Setting up Print settings
Define in the right panel your bleed and Safe area
Define in the right panel your appropriate DPI for your format size and viewing distance. The estimated credit cost will be shown in real time.
Generate your print-ready PDF
Click Save & Generate when your design is ready.
And Choose the generation method you want
Your file will be generated as a professional print-ready PDF.
Choosing the right type
If you need a brochure or catalog, go for Print Multipage design.
If you need a set of different assets (flyer, poster, business card), choose Print Multi format design.
If you only need a single digital banner or ad, stick with Classic Static design.
By choosing the right print type and DPI for each format, you ensure your files meet professional standards while keeping generation fast and file sizes manageable.