Setting Up the Canvas

The canvas is the white (or colored) rectangle that represents the final output. Setting it up correctly at the start saves work later.

Creating a new canvas

Click the New Canvas icon in the sidebar rail (file+ icon) or click the + button in the template tab bar. The Create New Canvas dialog opens.

Choosing a preset

The preset dropdown includes common sizes grouped by category (social media, paper/print, etc.). Selecting a preset fills the width and height automatically.

Custom dimensions

Enter any width and height in the unit you prefer. Supported units: px, mm, cm, in. Zandovi converts to pixels internally based on the DPI.

Output intent

• Screen — pixel-based output; DPI is 96 (default).
• Print — physical-dimension input; DPI options typically 150, 300 dpi.

For print-ready files choose Print and set the Export DPI (300 is standard for high-quality print).

Background color

Pick an initial background color. You can change this later from the Canvas settings panel.

Click Create to open the new canvas.

Adjusting canvas settings later

When nothing is selected on the canvas, the Properties panel on the right shows Canvas settings:

Control	What it does
Preset buttons	Quick-set common sizes
Width / Height	Exact dimensions
Unit selector	px / in / cm / mm
↔ Swap dimensions	Switch width and height (portrait ↔ landscape)
Output Intent	Screen or Print
Export DPI	Pixels per inch for exported images
Canvas Fill	Background fill: solid color, linear/radial gradient, or an image (with a fit mode — Cover / Contain / Stretch)

Note

Changing canvas size after adding elements may shift their positions.

Reaching the Canvas settings

The Canvas settings live in the Properties panel whenever nothing is selected. Right-clicking the canvas background and choosing Canvas Settings… simply clears the current selection, which brings the same Canvas panel back into view on the right.