My design looks different when exported
Why exports fail, why files are too large, and why PDFs look different from the screen.
Common export errors and how to fix them
Export fails entirely
This usually means a missing font, a corrupt image, or a full storage quota. Check:
- All fonts used in the project are installed on your system
- All images are valid files (not broken links)
- You have sufficient storage space
Try exporting again after resolving any issues.
PDF is too large
Large PDFs are usually caused by high-resolution embedded images. Reduce image resolutions to 300 DPI at print size. Use File -> Export preview to identify which images are oversized.
Fonts are missing in the export
Some fonts cannot be embedded in PDFs due to licensing restrictions. The export shows a warning listing the missing fonts. Replace those fonts with alternatives, or check whether a different export format (PNG) works.
JPEG shows banding or artifacts
JPG uses lossy compression. If you are exporting a graphic-heavy design, use PNG instead. For photo-heavy designs, try a higher quality setting in the export panel.
PNG export is missing content
PNG export only captures visible layers. Check that all layers you want in the export are visible (not hidden).