Both options have their place. Here’s an honest look at the pros and cons of each.

Using tools like Canva
The upsides:

  • Affordable and accessible. Great if you’re on a tight budget or need something quickly. Most tools offer free options and work in your browser
  • Easy to use. Ready-made templates help you create something that looks reasonably professional without specialist design skills.
  • Print-ready PDFs. You can export PDFs with the appropriate print settings, including bleed and crop marks where needed.

The downsides:

  • Your time isn’t free. The hours you spend wrestling with a design could be better spent running your business – or enjoying some well-earned time with family and friends.
  • Consistency is a challenge. Will your new design look and feel like the rest of your marketing? A consistent brand presence helps people recognise and trust your business.
  • Looking good isn’t the same as good design. Does your marketing communicate the right message, reflect your brand and connect with your target audience? Or does it just look nice?

Work with a professional designer
The upsides:

  • Save time and get it right. Work with a specialist who understands your business and knows how to turn your brief into effective marketing materials.
  • Made for you, not everyone. Bespoke design that reflects your brand, speaks to your audience and helps you stand out from the crowd.
  • Designed for the real world. Artwork prepared for its intended purpose, whether that’s print, digital or both, and aligned with your existing brand and marketing materials.
  • Experience makes a difference. A good designer asks the right questions, challenges assumptions and brings the skills and experience to create something that works for your business – not just something that looks good.

The downsides:

  • Availability. If you need something immediately, I might not be able to fit you in. But it’s always worth asking.
  • Cost. Yes, professional design is an investment. But it might cost less than you think – particularly when you consider the time you’ll save and the results you’re working towards.