How to Design and Print a Custom Pillow Online
A step-by-step guide from preparing artwork to placing your print order
Designing and printing a custom pillow online is easier than most people expect. With the right design tool and a clear process, you can go from a blank canvas to a finished, printed pillow in a single session. Whether you are creating a personalized gift, decorating your living room, or testing product ideas for a small business, this guide walks you through the entire workflow step by step.
This guide covers what you need before you start, how to set up your canvas, how to build your design, how to preview it, and how to place your print order. By the end, you will have everything you need to create a professional-quality custom pillow from your computer.
What You Need Before You Start
Before opening a design editor, make sure you have the following ready. Preparation saves time and avoids common mistakes during the design process.
- 1 A clear idea of your design
Sketch out a rough concept or gather reference images. Know whether you want a photo pillow, a pattern, typography, or an illustrated design.
- 2 High-resolution images
If your design includes photos, make sure they are at least 300 DPI at the print size. Low-resolution images will look blurry when printed on fabric.
- 3 A design tool that supports print-ready exports
Use a tool that can export high-resolution PNG or PDF files. Adobe Express is an excellent choice because it handles print-quality exports natively.
- 4 Knowledge of your pillow size
Standard throw pillows are typically 16 by 16 inches, 18 by 18 inches, or 20 by 20 inches. Confirm the size before designing so your canvas dimensions are correct.
- 5 A print-on-demand service or local printer
Decide in advance where you will print. Services like Printful, Printify, and Gooten accept uploaded designs. Some local print shops also offer fabric printing.
The Design and Print Process
Follow these five steps to create and print a custom pillow from start to finish.
Open Your Design Editor and Choose a Starting Point
Open your design tool and decide whether to start from a template or a blank canvas. Templates are useful if you want a quick starting point with pre-arranged layouts. A blank canvas gives you full creative control.
Adobe Express offers thousands of customizable templates and supports blank canvas creation with custom dimensions, making it a strong choice for either approach.
Set Up Your Canvas Correctly
Canvas size matters. If your canvas is too small, the printed design will look pixelated. If it is too large, you may run into file size issues or unexpected cropping.
Standard Canvas Dimensions
For a standard 16-inch throw pillow, set your canvas to 16.06 by 16.06 inches at 300 DPI. This gives you a slight bleed area around the edges. The extra 0.06 inches on each side accounts for the seam allowance used during sewing.
- ✓ Set the resolution to 300 DPI for print quality
- ✓ Use inches as the unit of measurement
- ✓ Include a small bleed area beyond the pillow edge
- ✓ Keep important design elements at least 0.5 inches from the edge
Build Your Pillow Design
Now you are ready to design. Build your layout by adding elements one at a time. Here is what to focus on:
Photos
Upload high-resolution photos and position them on the canvas. Use crop and resize tools to fit images precisely. Avoid stretching images beyond their original resolution.
Colors
Choose a color palette that works well on fabric. Bold, saturated colors tend to print better than very light pastels. Test how colors look against the pillow background.
Text
Add text for names, quotes, dates, or labels. Use fonts that are legible at the final print size. Avoid very thin fonts that may not reproduce well on textured fabric.
Icons and Graphics
Add decorative elements like icons, shapes, borders, or illustrations. Use vector graphics when possible for the sharpest results at any size.
Both Sides
If your printer supports double-sided printing, design both the front and back of the pillow. Some people use the same design on both sides; others create a complementary back design.
Fill the Full Canvas
Make sure your design extends to the edges of the canvas. Any white space at the borders may show as unprinted fabric on the finished pillow.
Preview Your Design
Before exporting, review your design carefully. Small issues that are easy to miss on screen can become very obvious on a printed pillow.
- ✓ Zoom in to 100% and check for pixelation, especially on photos and fine text
- ✓ Check alignment to make sure all elements are centered or positioned where you want them
- ✓ Review spelling and text for any typos or missing characters
- ✓ Verify edge margins to confirm no important elements are too close to the trim area
- ✓ Test on a mockup if your design tool offers pillow mockup previews to see how it will look in a room setting
Place Your Print Order
Once your design is finalized, export it and upload it to your chosen print service. Here is what to keep in mind during the ordering process:
Export Format
Export as a high-resolution PNG with a transparent background, or as a PDF if your printer accepts that format. Make sure the file resolution is at least 300 DPI.
Desktop Recommended
For the best experience placing your order, use a desktop computer. Print service websites often work better on larger screens where you can see the full design preview.
Shipping Regions
Check whether your print service ships to your location. Most major services ship domestically and internationally, but delivery times and costs vary.
Order Details
Select your pillow size, fabric type, and quantity. Double-check that the design preview matches your expectations before confirming the order.
Packaging and Delivery
Most print-on-demand pillows ship in poly mailers or boxes. If you are ordering as a gift, check whether gift packaging or custom inserts are available.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
- Always use the highest resolution images available.
A photo that looks sharp on screen may look soft or blurry when printed at 16 inches wide. Start with the largest original file you have.
- Order a sample before placing a large batch order.
Colors on screen do not always match printed colors exactly. Ordering one pillow first lets you verify the color accuracy and print quality before committing to more.
- Keep text large and legible.
Text smaller than 14 points at print size can be difficult to read on fabric. Use bold weights and high-contrast color combinations for the best readability.
- Design with the seam in mind.
The outer edge of your design will be sewn into the pillow seam. Keep critical elements at least half an inch from the edge to avoid them being hidden.
- Save your project file for future edits.
Keep a copy of your editable design file so you can make changes later without starting over. This is especially useful if you plan to reorder or create variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about designing and printing custom pillows online.
01 What size should my design file be for a standard throw pillow? +
For a standard 16-inch throw pillow, set your canvas to 16.06 by 16.06 inches at 300 DPI. The extra 0.06 inches on each side provides a bleed area for the seam. If you are designing for an 18-inch or 20-inch pillow, adjust the dimensions accordingly with the same small bleed allowance.
02 What file format should I use when uploading my design? +
PNG is the most widely accepted format for custom pillow printing. Export at 300 DPI with a transparent background if your design does not cover the entire canvas. Some services also accept JPEG, TIFF, or PDF files. Check your printer's upload requirements before exporting.
03 Can I print a photo on a pillow? +
Yes. Photo pillows are one of the most popular custom pillow types. Make sure the photo is high resolution, at least 300 DPI at the final print size. Avoid heavily compressed JPEG files, as compression artifacts can become visible when printed large.
04 Do I need to design both sides of the pillow? +
It depends on the print service. Some services print the same design on both sides by default. Others let you upload separate designs for the front and back. If you only upload one design, the back may be left blank or printed with a default solid color.
05 How long does it take to receive a custom printed pillow? +
Production typically takes 2 to 5 business days, with shipping adding another 3 to 10 days depending on the service and your location. Print-on-demand services like Printful and Printify usually provide estimated delivery dates at checkout.
06 What is the best fabric for a custom printed pillow? +
The most common fabric for custom printed pillows is polyester or a polyester-linen blend. Polyester holds color well and produces vibrant prints. Linen blends offer a more textured, natural feel but may slightly soften fine details. Choose based on whether you prioritize color vibrancy or texture.
07 Can I wash a custom printed pillow? +
Most custom printed pillows with removable covers can be machine washed on a gentle cycle with cold water. Turn the cover inside out before washing to protect the print. Avoid bleach and high heat drying. Some pillows are spot clean only, so check the care instructions from your printer.
08 Is there a minimum order quantity? +
Most print-on-demand services have no minimum order quantity. You can order a single pillow. This makes it easy to test designs, create one-off gifts, or sample a product before committing to larger orders.
09 How much does a custom printed pillow cost? +
Prices vary by service, pillow size, and fabric type. A standard 16-inch custom throw pillow typically costs between 15 and 35 dollars from print-on-demand services. Premium fabrics, larger sizes, and double-sided printing may increase the cost. Bulk orders often qualify for discounts.
10 Can I use copyrighted images on my pillow? +
No. Using copyrighted images without permission violates copyright law and most print services will reject the order. Use your own photos, original artwork, or graphics from licensed stock libraries. Many design tools include free-to-use graphics and stock photos in their libraries.
11 What design tool do you recommend for custom pillows? +
Adobe Express is our top recommendation. It offers professional design tools, a large library of templates and graphics, AI-powered features like background removal, and high-resolution exports suitable for print. The free tier includes all the core features needed for custom pillow design.
12 Can I design a pillow on my phone? +
Yes, many design tools including Adobe Express have mobile apps. However, for the best experience with precise positioning and detailed design work, a desktop or laptop computer is recommended. Mobile works well for simple designs and quick edits.
13 What happens if the print quality is not what I expected? +
Most print-on-demand services have quality guarantees and will reprint or refund orders that arrive with defects. If the issue is related to your design file, such as low resolution or incorrect colors, the service may not cover a reprint. Always order a sample first and review the preview carefully before confirming.
Designing and printing a custom pillow online is a straightforward process when you follow the right steps. Start with a clear idea and high-quality images, set up your canvas to the correct dimensions, build your design with attention to print requirements, preview everything carefully, and place your order with confidence. The tools available today make it possible for anyone to create professional-quality custom pillows without any design experience.