Flyer design basics

A resume is a print job, not a screen design. Most resumes look fine on screen and disappointing on paper. Here is how to design one that prints well.

Choose the right tool

Print Doc is ideal. It handles flowing text, page layout, and export to PDF without the layout chaos of a design canvas. Use Print Studio only if you need a heavily designed resume with a sidebar or unusual layout.

Set up the page

• A4 or Letter, depending on your country
• Margins: 25 mm all around (or 20 mm if you need more text space)
• 11-12 pt body text
• 14-16 pt section headings
• Single or 1.15 line spacing

Choose a font

Use a clean, professional font:

• Sans-serif: Inter, Helvetica, Arial
• Serif: Georgia, Times New Roman
• Avoid display fonts and script fonts

Stick to one font family. Use weight (Regular, Medium, Bold) for hierarchy.

Hierarchy

The most important information is the largest:

• Name (24-28 pt) at the top
• Contact details (10-11 pt) below the name
• Section headings (14-16 pt) — Experience, Education, Skills
• Body text (11-12 pt) — descriptions, dates, achievements

Common mistakes

• Cramming too much text — keep it to one or two pages
• Tiny margins — leave enough white space
• Mixing too many fonts — stick to one
• Inconsistent formatting — use the same date format, same bullet style throughout
• Coloured backgrounds — keep it simple

Print quality

• Paper: 100 GSM bond, white or off-white
• Resolution: any image (e.g. a logo) at 300 DPI
• Bleed: not required for a text-only resume
• Format: A4 or Letter, single or double-sided

FAQ

Should my resume be one page or two?

One page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Two pages if you have more and the content is dense.

Is a creative resume layout a good idea?

For most industries, no. A clean, traditional layout is safer. Creative layouts are appropriate for design roles, where the layout itself is a portfolio piece.

Should I print in colour?

Only if the colour adds meaning. For most resumes, black and white is the right choice.