# Export artwork

> Save a PlexiiDraw artwork as a PNG picture, a scalable SVG drawing or a PDF, with a transparent background where you need one.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-export
Section: Office > PlexiiDraw
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

When your artwork is ready, export it to use elsewhere. **PNG** is a picture for screens, documents and slides. **SVG** keeps vector shapes as shapes, so the file stays sharp at any size and opens in other drawing tools. **PDF** suits sharing and printing.

## Before you start

- Exporting is on every plan.
- The export is the artboard: everything inside its edges. Anything you drew past the edge is cut off. To change the artboard, see [Start an artwork and set up the artboard](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-start-artwork).
- Hidden layers are left out. Show any layer you want in the file. See [Layers and blend modes](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-layers-and-blending).
- For a see-through background, such as for a logo, set **Document** > **Background** > **Transparent** first.

## Export

1. Choose **File** > **Export PNG…**, **Export SVG…** or **Export PDF…**.
2. In the save window, choose where to save the file. The artwork's name is filled in as the file name.
3. Click **Save**.

The options strip shows **Saved to** and where the file went. Click **×** to clear the message.

## Which format to choose

| Format | What you get | Use it for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **PNG** | A picture at the artboard's exact size in pixels, whatever your screen. A transparent background stays transparent. | Slides, documents, websites, chat and social posts. |
| **SVG** | A vector drawing: shapes, paths and type stay as editable shapes, and paint layers are included as pictures inside it. A transparent background stays transparent. | Logos and icons that must stay sharp at any size, and further work in other drawing tools. |
| **PDF** | A single page the size of the artboard, with everything on it. | Sharing and printing. |

> **Tip:**
> For a logo, export both: an SVG for anywhere it must scale, and a PNG for places that only take pictures. Use a transparent background so it sits on any colour.

## Print an artwork

Export a PDF, open it, and print it from there. The PDF page measures the artboard's pixels at 96 to the inch, so an artwork made with a print size, such as **A4 at 150dpi**, comes out larger than the paper. Choose the fit-to-page or scale-to-fit option when you print, and it prints at paper size. See [Export to PDF and print](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-pdf-export-and-print).

## Common questions

**Part of my drawing is missing.** It is on a hidden layer, or outside the artboard. Show the layer, or move the drawing onto the artboard, and export again.

**My PNG has a white background.** The artboard has a background colour. Choose **Document** > **Background** > **Transparent** and export again.

**The text in my SVG looks different in another app.** An SVG names its fonts, so the computer that opens it needs those fonts. For an exact look everywhere, export a PNG or PDF instead.

**Where did my file go?** To the folder you chose in the save window. The options strip shows the full location.

## Related tasks

- [PlexiiDraw overview](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-overview)
- [Start an artwork and set up the artboard](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-start-artwork)
- [Layers and blend modes](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-layers-and-blending)
- [Vector tools and Pathfinder](https://plexiidesk.com/help/draw-vector-tools-and-pathfinder)
- [Export to PDF and print](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-pdf-export-and-print)