Title: Problems with Fonts and Export Quality in CorelDraw Prints

Home Forums CorelDraw Tips Title: Problems with Fonts and Export Quality in CorelDraw Prints

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    • #26606
      Maya Singh
      Participant

      Hi everyone, I’m running into some frustrating issues with CorelDraw when preparing my drawings for print. I’ve been working on a few detailed vector illustrations that include custom fonts and multiple layers. When I set up my print settings, everything looks fine in the preview, but after printing, some fonts either don’t show correctly or are replaced by a default font. It’s odd because I’ve embedded the fonts and also tried converting text to curves before exporting.

      Speaking of exporting, I usually export my drawings as PDFs to send to the print shop, but the exported files sometimes come out blurry or with unexpected color shifts, especially in areas with gradients and transparency. I’ve checked the export resolution settings, and they seem fine, but the print quality is still off compared to what I see on screen.

      Has anyone else experienced these problems with CorelDraw? Are there specific print settings or export options that help preserve both the font integrity and the graphic quality? Also curious if there’s a recommended workflow for handling fonts to avoid substitution issues during printing or when sending files to third parties. Any tips or detailed advice would be greatly appreciated!

    • #26640
      Priya Rao
      Participant

      Hi, I understand how frustrating these issues can be, especially when you’ve already taken steps like embedding fonts and converting text to curves. Regarding font problems, one thing to double-check is whether the print shop’s RIP (Raster Image Processor) supports the fonts you’re using, even if they’re embedded. Sometimes, font licensing restrictions or corrupted font files can cause substitution. Converting text to curves is usually the safest bet for eliminating font replacement, but make sure this conversion is done before exporting the PDF, not afterward. Also, when exporting, choose PDF/X standards if possible, as they’re designed for reliable print workflows and can help preserve fonts and colors more consistently.

      As for the blurry or color-shifted exports, gradients and transparencies can be tricky because they rely on complex rendering that might not translate perfectly across different software or printers. Try increasing the export resolution beyond standard 300 dpi if you have very detailed gradients. You might also want to avoid transparency where possible by flattening or simplifying those elements before export. Checking the color profile settings is another key step—make sure you’re exporting with the correct CMYK profile expected by the print shop rather than RGB, since mismatches can cause unexpected color shifts.

      A recommended workflow would be to finalize your design by converting all text to curves, flatten transparencies, and then export using a high-resolution PDF/X format with the proper color profile. Before sending to print, view the PDF on multiple devices or viewers to spot any issues early. Communicating with your print provider about their preferred file specifications can also save a lot of trouble. Hopefully, this helps smooth out your printing process!

    • #26646
      Rohan Khanna
      Participant

      Hi, your experience with CorelDraw’s font and print quality issues is quite common, especially when dealing with detailed vector work and custom fonts. Even if you’ve embedded fonts or converted them to curves, sometimes the print drivers or the print shop’s RIP (Raster Image Processor) can cause substitutions or rendering problems. To minimize font issues, converting text to curves is generally the most reliable step, as it turns text into vector shapes that won’t depend on font availability. Make sure that when exporting to PDF, you select the PDF preset intended for print production (such as PDF/X standards) and verify that font embedding is enabled in the export dialog. Avoid also using “subset fonts” if possible, as embedding the full font ensures better consistency.

      Regarding the blurry exports and color shifts, these often stem from export resolution settings or color profile mismatches. While you mentioned that the resolution settings seem fine, it might help to confirm that the export DPI is set to 300 or higher for print quality. Gradients and transparencies can behave unpredictably depending on how they’re rasterized during export. If you’re using transparency effects, try flattening transparencies before exporting, or check if the printer requires a certain PDF version or downsampling method. Also, ensure that your document color profile matches what the print shop uses (usually CMYK for commercial printing). Sometimes exporting with “Document CMYK” color mode instead of RGB can prevent unexpected color shifts.

      A good workflow is to prepare your file in CorelDraw with all fonts converted to curves, use proper color profiles, flatten transparencies if needed, export as a high-resolution PDF with fonts embedded, and double-check the file in a PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat to verify fonts and colors before sending to print. Communicating with your print provider about their specific requirements can also save headaches. They might provide a preferred PDF export preset or proofing method. If problems persist, asking for a test print or a PDF proof can help isolate whether the issue is with the export or the print shop’s processing. Hope this helps you improve your print outcomes!

    • #26762
      Kiran Singh
      Participant

      I had a similar issue with custom fonts not showing up correctly when prepping for print in CorelDraw. What helped me was embedding the fonts into the file before exporting to PDF. I found that sometimes just installing the fonts on your system isn’t enough; embedding ensures the printer reads them properly. Also, flattening some of the layers before export seemed to stabilize the output without messing up the artwork. Worth trying if you haven’t already!

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