Figma to PDF export feature is a significant time-saver for designers, providing a seamless way to share UI/UX work with teammates and clients. While not all design platforms offer easy PDF exports, Figma excels in this area. This tool allows you to quickly convert designs into professional, shareable documents, eliminating the need for screenshots or complex workarounds. With just a few clicks, you’re ready to go.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to export single artboards or entire projects, maintain your design’s quality and layout, and apply tricks to make your PDFs look their best. The process is straightforward: select your frames, choose Export, pick the PDF format, adjust your settings, and you’re done. It’s time to streamline your design workflow today by mastering Figma’s PDF export feature, and impress your team with your efficiency!

Method 1: Exporting Layers from Figma to PDF

Exporting individual layers from Figma to PDF is a targeted approach that gives designers precise control over their exported content. This method is particularly useful when you need to focus on specific components of a design, such as icons or buttons, without including the entire frame. Here’s a detailed look at what this method entails and what you should be aware of during the process.

Benefits of Exporting Just the Layers

• Targeted Exporting: Allows you to export specific layers, providing more control over which elements are included in the PDF.
• File Size Management: By selecting only the necessary layers, you can create a PDF with a smaller file size, making it easier to share and distribute.

• Selective Detailing: Ideal for presenting specific components or sections of a design without including the entire frame or project.
• Customization: Enables you to export layers with different settings, such as varying resolutions or formats, tailored to specific needs.
• Efficiency in Updates: Useful when you need to make frequent updates to particular parts of a design, as you can export only the modified layers.

Step-by-step Guide

• Step 1: Open your Figma file and select the layers you want to export. Ensure each layer is properly named for easy identification.
• Step 2: Right-click on the selected layers to open the context menu.
• Step 3: From the context menu, choose the “Export” option to bring up the export settings.
• Step 4: In the export settings, set the format to “PDF.” You can adjust the resolution and other settings as needed.
• Step 5: Click the “Export” button to save the selected layers as a PDF file.
• Step 6: Choose the destination folder on your computer where you want to save the PDF and click “Save.”
• Step 7: Verify the exported PDF file to ensure all layers are correctly included and properly formatted.

Who is it Suitable for?

1. Designers Working on Specific Elements: Ideal for designers who need to export and share specific parts of their designs, such as icons, buttons, or other UI components.
2. Project Managers: Useful for project managers who need to review and provide feedback on particular aspects of a design without seeing the entire frame.
3. Developers: Beneficial for developers who require detailed export of specific layers to implement into their codebase.
4. Freelancers and Contractors: Perfect for freelancers who want to showcase or submit individual elements of their work to clients or collaborators.
5. Marketing Teams: Suitable for marketing teams needing particular assets from a design to use in promotional materials or campaigns.

Check These Resources: Top Websites for Finding Figma to WordPress Freelancers

Method 2: Exporting Figma to PDF by Frames

Exporting entire frames from Figma to PDF can be a comprehensive solution for sharing complete design views, but it comes with its own set of challenges. This method is essential when you need to maintain the integrity and context of your design, capturing all elements and layouts within a frame. However, it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls to ensure a smooth export process.

Benefits of Exporting Frames

• Comprehensive Export: Captures the entire frame, ensuring all elements and layouts are included in the PDF, providing a complete view of the design.
• Consistency: Maintains the integrity and structure of the design as all components within the frame are exported together.
• High-Quality Output: Ideal for producing high-quality PDFs for presentations, client reviews, or detailed documentation of the entire design.

• Ease of Use: Simplifies the export process by handling the entire frame as a single entity, reducing the need for selecting individual layers.
• Project Overview: Provides a full overview of the project or design, making it easier to understand the context and flow of the entire frame.

Steps Guide

• Step 1: Open your Figma file and navigate to the frame(s) you wish to export. Ensure each frame is complete and properly organized.
• Step 2: Select the frame(s) by clicking on them. You can select multiple frames by holding the Shift key and clicking on each frame.
• Step 3: Right-click on the selected frame(s) to open the context menu.
• Step 4: From the context menu, choose the “Export” option to bring up the export settings.
• Step 5: In the export settings, set the format to “PDF.” Adjust the export settings, such as resolution and compression, if necessary.
• Step 6: Click the “Export” button to proceed with saving the frame(s) as a PDF file.
• Step 7: Choose the location on your computer where you want to save the PDF and click “Save.”
• Step 8: Review the exported PDF file to ensure the frames are accurately exported and maintain their original quality.

Discover More: How to Convert Figma to Sketch and Implement the Design in WordPress?

Who is it Suitable for?

1. UI/UX Designers: Ideal for UI/UX designers who want to present the complete user interface or experience flow to stakeholders or clients.
2. Clients and Stakeholders: Beneficial for clients and stakeholders who need a comprehensive view of the entire design project for review and approval.
3. Design Teams: Suitable for design teams working collaboratively on a project, ensuring everyone has a consistent and complete view of the frame.
4. Educators and Students: Useful for educators teaching design principles and for students submitting complete design projects or portfolios.
5. Product Managers: Perfect for product managers who need to understand and convey the full scope of a design to development teams and other departments.

Find Out: How to Convert Figma to Adobe XD: 5 Easy Steps

Tips for Ensuring High-Quality PDF Exports

Ensuring high-quality PDF exports is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your designs. From using vector graphics to checking color profiles and thoroughly reviewing your work, these practices can make a significant difference in the final product. Here’s how to achieve the best results.

Tip 1: Using Vector Graphics

Why Vectors Are Your Best Friend for Crisp, Clear Exports

Vectors are the way to go for sharp PDFs. They remain clear no matter how big or small you make them, ensuring your designs look great on both tiny phones and huge posters.

Benefits of Vectors for High-Quality Exports:

• Scalability: Vectors don’t lose quality when you resize them.
• File Size: They’re smaller files than high-res images, making sharing and downloading faster.
• Clarity: Vectors provide cleaner lines and shapes, which is perfect for logos and icons.

Tip 2: Checking Color Profiles

Make Sure Your Colors Look Consistent 

Colors can change during Figma to PDF conversions when viewed on different screens or when printed. Ensuring the correct color profile keeps your design looking just as you made it.

Importance of Correct Color Profiles for Printing:

• Consistency: Your colors will stay the same across devices and print outputs.
• Professionalism: Avoid surprise color changes that can affect the final look.
• Client Requirements: Some clients or printers need specific profiles. Getting this right makes you look professional.

Did You Know?

How to Convert Figma to Canva: Simplifying Edits

Tip 3: Reviewing and Proofing

Don’t Skip This Last Step. It’s a Lifesaver.

Always check your PDF after exporting. It takes a few minutes but can save you from big mistakes.

The Necessity of Reviewing the PDF for Errors:

• Accuracy: Ensure everything looks correct in the PDF compared to your design in Figma.
• Readability: Make sure all text is legible and properly formatted.

Tips for Proofing Your Exported PDF:

• Multi-Device Review: Look at your PDF on different devices during Figma to PDF transfers to ensure it looks good everywhere.
• Print Proof: If the PDF is meant for print, print a test copy to check for any issues.
• Peer Review: Ask a friend or colleague to review the PDF. Fresh eyes can catch things you might miss.

Learn More: Mastering Figma to Shopify: The Ultimate Store Creation Handbook

Parting Insights: Troubleshooting Common Issues

With Figma to PDF transfers, the key is really in the details. Even with the best practices, you might hit a few bumps when exporting to PDF. Let’s tackle some common hiccups you might face.

Issue 1: Blurry Images Fuzzy exports got you down?

Blurry images can ruin a great design. Often, it’s because of low-resolution raster images or improper scaling. To fix this, use high-res images from the start. If you’re using vectors, make sure they’re not flattened before export. Sometimes, tweaking your export settings can sharpen things up. Play with the resolution until it looks crisp.

Issue 2: Missing Elements Where did that button go?

It’s frustrating when parts of your design vanish during Figma to PDF transfers. This usually happens when layers are hidden or outside the frame. Double-check that all elements are visible and within the export area. For complex designs, try exporting in smaller sections to pinpoint the issue. Remember, some effects might not translate to PDF – keep an eye out for those.

Learn More: How to Convert Figma to WooCommerce: Building E-commerce Websites

Issue 3: Incorrect Colors Why does your red look orange?

Color shifts can throw off your whole design. This often stems from mismatched color profiles or RGB to CMYK conversion. Make sure your Figma file and export settings use the same color profile. If you’re designing for print, work in CMYK from the start. For web, stick to RGB. When in doubt, export a test file and view it on different devices to catch any color quirks early.

Remember, every export is a learning opportunity. The more you do it, the better you’ll get at spotting and fixing these issues. Happy exporting!