You've finished the program. The photos are in, the words are right, and now there's one more thing standing between you and the service: getting it printed.
I know how this part feels. You're tired, the service is close, and the last thing you want is a print shop asking questions you don't know how to answer. This guide gives you those answers, so you can walk in (or hit print at home) with confidence.
First: Download the Right File
If your program is in Canva, click Share → Download and choose PDF Print. This is the high-quality version made for printing, and it works with free Canva.
Save the PDF somewhere easy to find, and email it to yourself too. That way you can pull it up from any print shop computer or your phone. New to Canva? Our beginner's Canva guide walks you through editing and downloading.
Why Your Pages Look Out of Order (And Why That's Good)
When you open one of our templates in Canva, you may see pages side by side that seem mixed up, like the back cover next to the front cover. That's on purpose. The pages are already arranged in printing order, so once they're printed double-sided and folded, everything reads perfectly.
This matters at the print shop: your pages don't need to be rearranged. If a shop tries to "make it into a booklet" for you, the pages can end up shrunk or out of order. For a page-by-page map, see understanding your funeral program layout.
Know Your Size
Funeral programs are printed on a larger sheet, then folded in half. Here are the two most common sizes:
| Finished (Folded) Size | Printed On | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard: 5.5" x 8.5" | 11" x 8.5" (regular letter paper, landscape) | Most services. Easy to print anywhere, including at home. |
| Large: 8.5" x 11" | 17" x 11" (tabloid paper) | More room for photos and larger text. Needs a print shop or a printer that takes 11x17. |
Not sure which you have? Look at the page size in your Canva file, or check your template's listing. For every size option, see funeral program sizes explained.
Choose Your Paper
- 28–32 lb smooth paper: a step up from copy paper. Bright, no show-through, and folds cleanly. Our top recommendation.
- 80–100 lb text weight: a little heavier and more premium, still folds well.
- Cardstock: feels sturdy, but it can crack along the fold, especially in booklets with several sheets. If you use it, ask the print shop to score it before folding.
Matte or glossy? Matte is softer, has no glare under church lights, and feels more dignified. Glossy makes photos pop but can show fingerprints. For most families, matte is the safest choice.
Option 1: Printing at Home
Home printing works well for smaller services, and it means you can fix a typo and reprint in minutes.
- Open the PDF and choose Print.
- Set the scale to Shrink to Fit (it may say Fit to Printable Area or Scale to Fit). Most home printers can't print all the way to the edge, so this keeps your design from getting clipped.
- Turn on double-sided printing and choose Flip on short edge.
- Print one copy, fold it, and check it before printing the rest.
- Fold each sheet in half. For booklets, nest the folded sheets together in order.
Home printers leave a thin white border. If you'd like a clean edge-to-edge look, trim it off with a paper trimmer, or have a print shop print it instead. Our complete Canva guide covers home printing in more detail.
From experience: If the back prints upside down, your printer is flipping on the long edge. Switch to Flip on short edge and try one more copy. No double-sided option? Our layout guide shows how to print one side, flip the stack, and print the other. And buy a little more paper and ink than you think you need. Running out at midnight before a service is a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Option 2: Staples, Office Depot, or FedEx Office
Office supply stores are the most popular choice. Most can print and fold same day, they can print edge to edge, and you can often upload your file online and pick it up.
What to tell the print counter
Copy this into your phone or print it out:
"This is a funeral program. The pages are already in printing order, so please print them exactly as they are. Do not rearrange them or set them up as a booklet. Print double-sided, flipped on the short edge, in full color, on [paper choice], and fold each sheet in half. [For booklets: nest the sheets in order and staple at the fold.] Can you print one copy first so I can check it?"
From experience: Printing is where so many families get stuck, and it's usually because no one told them what to ask for. Always ask for one proof copy before the full run. Hold it, fold it, read the names one more time. It takes five minutes and can save your whole order.
Call ahead. Same-day printing is often possible, but stores can get busy. Calling a day ahead, or uploading your file online for pickup, takes a lot of stress out of the day.
Option 3: Online Printers
Online printers often offer the nicest paper and the most consistent color, but you'll need to allow for production and shipping time, usually several days. This is a good option if the service is more than a week away, or for a memorial service held later. Let them know your pages are already in printing order.
What Does It Cost?
Prices vary a lot by store, location, and paper, so always ask for a quote before you order. As a general guide:
- Home printing is usually the least expensive, mostly the cost of paper and ink.
- Standard size at an office supply store (color, double-sided on letter paper) is typically priced per sheet, with heavier paper and folding adding a little more per copy.
- Large size (printed on 11x17) usually costs noticeably more per copy than standard size.
- Booklets (8 pages or more) use more sheets per program, so the cost goes up with each sheet, plus a small charge for stapling.
A simple way to budget: ask the store for the price of one finished program, then multiply by how many you need. Don't forget to add 10–20% extra copies for family keepsakes.
How Many Should You Print?
Start with the number of guests you expect, then add 10–20%. Families almost always want extras to keep, frame, or mail to relatives who couldn't make it. If you're not sure how many will come, ask the funeral home. They often have a good sense from the visitation.
Common Printing Problems (and Easy Fixes)
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Edges cut off at home | Print with Shrink to Fit, then trim the white border if you want edge to edge. |
| Back side upside down | Switch to "Flip on short edge." |
| Pages in the wrong order or shrunk | The shop likely rearranged them into a booklet. Ask them to print the pages exactly as they are. |
| Photos look blurry | Replace with the original, full-size photo, not a screenshot or Facebook download. |
| Colors look darker than on screen | Normal for print. Brighten photos slightly in Canva if needed. |
From experience: Something may still change after you print, like a pallbearer or a service time. Keep your Canva file and your PDF saved, so a fix is just a quick edit and a reprint, not starting over.
Printing Prayer Cards, Bookmarks, and Thank-You Cards?
Each one has its own simple print guide: printing prayer cards, printing memorial bookmarks, and printing thank-you cards.
Haven't Made Your Program Yet?
Start with one of our Canva-editable funeral program templates. They're already set up at the right size and in printing order, so printing is simple. Or follow our guide on how to make a funeral program.
Want a File That's Ready for the Print Shop?
If you'd rather not worry about sizes or settings, let us build it for you. With our Done-For-You Service, you do everything online in our Program Portal, no design skills needed:
- Pick your design and your finished size
- Choose exactly which pages go in your program, and in what order
- Fill in everything online: names, dates, obituary, order of service, and photos
- Save and finish later if you need to step away
We build your program and send you a proof to approve. Once approved, you receive a print-ready digital file to take to any print shop or print at home. The template is included.
Please note: This is a digital design service only. We do not print or ship physical programs.
You're Almost There
Once these are printed, this part is done. Take a breath. You've put something beautiful into the hands of everyone who loved them, and that's no small thing.