Tutorial: Designing a Recipe Tea Towel

Canva is the perfect design tool if you may be frequently creating graphics for social media along with any presentations or posters. With all the options available for a free and professional account, you can add text, edit your images, and add layers to your design.

1. Create an account to access custom size options.

With a free Canva account, you can save all of your designs and import your own artwork and photos to edit. To start creating a Tea Towel design large enough for Spoonflower, select the Custom Size option after logging into your account. 

2. Set up the new custom design.

We recommend creating a design at the size of 27" wide x 18" height. Since Canva allows for downloads at 300 dpi with the PDF Print option, it will be possible to adjust the design to the proper scale later on.

3. Now to design!

On the left hand side of the page, you’ll see an option to upload a file from your device as well as several more options for Facebook, Google Drive, Instagram and Dropbox. 

Add in as many files as you would like and continue to change the size of each one as needed. For the example below, I have imported my recipe card, adjusted the size of the image, and centered it within the Tea Towel. I also added in one of the background options provided for free accounts and some of their free elements. Be sure to check out all of Canva’s amazing features!

Pro Tip: Be sure to keep all elements of your design rotated from the beginning, unless you have a Professional account with Canva. The resize tool is not available for free accounts.

4. Preview the design.

Once you are happy with your design, be sure to use the handy fullscreen preview option at the bottom of the page! This way you can see a larger preview of your design before it is exported.

5. Download your design.

To Download your finished design, locate this option at the top of the page. We recommend using the option for PDF Print so that your design can be saved to 300 dpi.

6. Convert the design file to 150 dpi.

Now, it’s best to convert your 300 dpi PDF file to a JPG or PNG file instead. Canva only supports downloads as a JPG or PNG up to 96 dpi, so it is not suitable for Spoonflower (minimum requirement is 150 dpi).

With the PDF Print option, a file can be saved that is suitable for use. You can convert the file however you would like or you can use a site such as this one to change your PDF file to a JPG at 150 dpi.

150 dpi (Medium) is the default option on the site linked above. Once your file is selected or dropped into the window, it will be automatically converted and the new file will be downloaded.

Fotor allows you to work with your own designs by uploading to their site or you can utilize any of their design template options to create one from scratch!

1. Head on over to Fotor!

Go to Fotor, to start your own Tea Towel recipe with their free design options. First, select the Custom Size option after logging into your account. We recommend an account for this site if you would like to access your designs again in the future.

2. Selecting the custom design options.

The free options on Fotor only support exporting at 72 dpi, so we recommend creating your design size to a much larger scale, 60" wide x 40" height, so that it’ll be possible to adjust the scale to the proper dimensions later on with Spoonflower.

3. Start your new design!

To import any images or photos, locate the Cloud option on the left hand side of the page. Fotor supports file uploads for JPG, PNG and SVG only. As an example for what is available with this program, I added a free background option, centered my recipe card, and adjusted the transparency. There’s also so many options to add elements, templates, and more!

4. Use the preview tool to see more!

If you would like to see a larger portion of your design prior to exporting, be sure to use the preview option available at the bottom of the page.

5. Time to export and save!

To Export your finished design, you can find this option at the top of the page. We recommend using either option for High Resolution JPG or PNG to export your design.

Pixlr is an online photo editor that allows you to upload your own images, resize them, crop and layer them with text and graphics, as well as much more.

1. Go to Pixlr to access the free design platform.

There will be two options, but click PLAYFUL PIXLR X for the free option.

2. Set up the dimensions of your file.

The dimensions for a Tea Towel using Linen Cotton Canvas are 27” wide x 18” height. Starting with these dimensions in mind will make this process a lot easier! In the screenshot below you will see the three steps that will help you create the template for your file. After you click on the button at the left, the next options will appear.

• one: Locate and click the CREATE NEW button along the left side of the Pixlr webpage.
• two: Name your design and then enter the WIDTH and HEIGHT dimensions in the empty fields as 4050px and 2700px respectively. 4050px x 2700px will equals 27” x 18” at 150 dpi, and 150 dpi is the default upload size for all designs at Spoonflower.
• three: Click the turquoise CREATE button in the bottom right corner.

3. Time to design!

In this step we will be setting up the background for our Tea Towel and then we will be uploading our recipe image, a small block of text and some graphics for that special touch. And remember, these are just basic ideas to help get your creativity started. This is where you can start doing what you like!

Start by locating the design tools on the left side of the Pixlr page to create the layout of your Tea Towel and determine your background color.

• one: Hover over and click the small Properties box at the top left of the Design Tools column.
• two: Click the small switch to toggle on the background option.
• three: Select your preferred background color from the options.

Next we will upload our recipe file from our computer or laptop.

• one: Hover over and click the small Add Image box at the bottom of the Design Tools column.
• two: A pop-up will appear that will as you to Browse your computer or laptop to locate your recipe image. Select the right file and then choose to upload it into Pixlr. (Important: After you click upload a pop-up will appear with two options. Select Add Current, the option on the right, so that your recipe is placed directly over your background.)
• three: Your photo will not appear perfectly centered over your Tea Towel background.

Now is the fun part. Designing. You are free to resize and rotate this photo using the Properties and Arrange tools. If you feel adventurous you can crop the image and add text. There even is a selection of graphics built into Pixlr to add that unexpected finishing touch! Don't forget the margins!

Check out our final design. We rotated our recipe and reduced its size to fit within the background for our sewn edges. We also added text then resized, rotated and centered it over the photo. But this was only a portion of what we might have done!

4. Save your design.

Click the turquoise SAVE button at the bottom right corner of Pixlr. A pop-up will show up and there will be a few options. We highly recommend saving your new design as a PNG. Double check the dimensions are still 4050px x 2700px to ensure that seamless upload to Spoonflower.