> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.printery.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Export Errors

> Fix PDF export failures, errors, and issues

## Common Export Problems

Export errors can be frustrating. This guide helps you diagnose and fix issues preventing successful PDF generation.

<Note>
  Most export errors have simple fixes. Follow the troubleshooting steps systematically to identify and resolve the issue.
</Note>

## Problem 1: Export Fails or Hangs

**Symptoms**:

* Export process starts but never finishes
* Plugin appears frozen
* Progress bar stuck
* No error message, just hangs

**Common causes**: Large files, complex designs, memory issues

### Diagnosis Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check File Complexity">
    **Identify problematic elements**:

    **Common culprits**:

    * Very high-resolution images (5000+ px)
    * Hundreds of layers
    * Complex vector paths (1000+ nodes)
    * Heavy blur/shadow effects
    * Multiple artboards (50+)

    **Check**:

    1. Note file size in Figma (MB)
    2. Count layers in layers panel
    3. Check image resolutions

    **Rule of thumb**:

    * Simple file: \< 50 layers, \< 20 MB
    * Complex file: 100-500 layers, 20-100 MB
    * Very complex: 500+ layers, > 100 MB

    **Very complex files**: More likely to timeout
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Browser Memory">
    **Figma runs in browser** = memory limits

    **Check browser console**:

    1. Open Developer Tools (F12 or Cmd+Option+I)
    2. Console tab
    3. Look for "Out of memory" errors

    **Memory usage**:

    * Chrome: chrome://system → mem\_usage
    * Check if near limit (typically 2-4 GB for single tab)

    **If high memory**:

    * Close other tabs
    * Restart browser
    * Try exporting again
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Internet Connection">
    **Plugin needs stable connection**:

    * Upload to Figma servers
    * Download processed PDF
    * Any interruption = failure

    **Test connection**:

    * Speed test (fast.com)
    * Ping google.com

    **If unstable**: Switch to wired connection or better WiFi
  </Step>

  <Step title="Try Different Browser">
    **Browser-specific issues**:

    **If using Chrome**: Try Firefox or Edge
    **If using Firefox**: Try Chrome
    **If using Safari**: Try Chrome (best Figma support)

    **Desktop app**: If available, try Figma desktop app (better performance)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Solutions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Solution 1: Simplify Design Before Export" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    **Reduce complexity temporarily**:

    **Steps**:

    1. **Duplicate frame** (backup)
    2. **Flatten complex objects**:
       * Select heavy effects
       * Right-click → Flatten
       * Reduces layer count
    3. **Reduce image resolutions**:
       * Images > 3000px → resize to 3000px max
       * Maintain 300 DPI for print size
    4. **Remove hidden layers**:
       * Often forgotten and add weight
       * Select → Delete
    5. **Simplify vectors**:
       * Complex paths → Flatten
       * Reduce nodes if possible

    **Export**: Should process faster

    **Restore**: Use backup if you need to edit further
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 2: Export in Sections" icon="scissors">
    **For multi-page documents**:

    **Instead of**: Exporting all 50 pages at once

    **Do**: Export in batches:

    * Pages 1-10: Export PDF 1
    * Pages 11-20: Export PDF 2
    * Etc.

    **Combine later**:

    * Adobe Acrobat: Tools → Combine Files
    * Online: Smallpdf, ILovePDF combine tools
    * Mac Preview: Drag PDFs into sidebar

    **Downside**: Extra step, but works when single export fails
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 3: Increase Timeout/Retry" icon="clock">
    **Wait longer**:

    **Very complex files** take time:

    * 10-50 layers: 10-30 seconds
    * 100-200 layers: 1-3 minutes
    * 500+ layers: 5-10 minutes
    * 1000+ layers: 10-20 minutes

    **Don't cancel** if progress bar moving (even slowly)

    **If truly hung** (no movement for 10+ minutes):

    * Cancel
    * Try simplification approaches above
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 4: Clear Cache and Restart" icon="arrow-rotate-right">
    **Fresh start**:

    **Steps**:

    1. **Close Figma** completely
    2. **Clear browser cache**:
       * Chrome: Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data
       * Select "Cached images and files"
       * Time range: All time
    3. **Restart browser**
    4. **Reopen Figma**
    5. **Try export again**

    **Also try**:

    * Restart computer (clears memory)
    * Log out and back into Figma
    * Reinstall plugin (rare but can help)

    **Fixes**: Corrupted cache, memory leaks
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Problem 2: "Export Failed" Error Message

**Symptoms**:

* Error dialog appears
* Generic "Export failed" message
* Or specific error code

**Causes**: Various technical issues

### Specific Error Messages

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="File Too Large">
    **Error**: "File size exceeds limit" or "Export too large"

    **Cause**: Generated PDF > allowed size (typically 100-200 MB)

    **Solutions**:

    **A. Enable compression**:

    * Export tab → Compression: 85% → 75%
    * Re-export

    **B. Enable downsampling**:

    * Export tab → Downsample images: Enabled
    * Reduces image resolution to 300 DPI
    * Remove excess detail

    **C. Reduce image sizes**:

    * Before adding to Figma, resize images
    * Calculate needed size: (inches × 300 DPI)
    * Don't use 6000px image for 2" print area

    **D. Remove unused elements**:

    * Hidden layers
    * Off-canvas objects
    * Duplicate images

    **See**: [File Size Issues](/troubleshooting/file-size) for detailed guide
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Network/Connection Error">
    **Error**: "Network error", "Connection lost", "Upload failed"

    **Cause**: Internet connection issue

    **Solutions**:

    **A. Check connection**:

    * Test speed (fast.com)
    * Verify stable WiFi or wired

    **B. Retry export**:

    * Wait 30 seconds
    * Try again
    * May have been temporary

    **C. Switch networks**:

    * Different WiFi
    * Mobile hotspot (if available)
    * Wired connection (most stable)

    **D. Contact IT** (corporate networks):

    * May have firewall blocking
    * Whitelist Figma domains
    * Allow plugin traffic
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Timeout Error">
    **Error**: "Export timeout", "Processing timeout", "Request timed out"

    **Cause**: File took too long to process (server limit)

    **Solutions**:

    **A. Simplify design**:

    * Reduce layers
    * Flatten complex objects
    * Remove heavy effects

    **B. Export in sections**:

    * Split multi-page into batches
    * Export separately
    * Combine PDFs afterward

    **C. Try off-peak hours**:

    * Server less busy early morning or late night
    * May process faster

    **D. Contact support**:

    * If file not unusually complex
    * May be server issue
    * Can escalate timeout limit
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Permission/License Error">
    **Error**: "License error", "Permission denied", "Subscription required"

    **Cause**: Plugin access issue

    **Solutions**:

    **A. Check Figma subscription**:

    * Some features require paid plan
    * Verify account status

    **B. Check plugin installation**:

    * Is plugin properly installed?
    * Try reinstalling from Community

    **C. Team permissions** (if in team file):

    * May need edit access
    * Ask team owner for permissions

    **D. Log out and back in**:

    * Refresh authentication
    * Clear session cache
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Invalid Configuration">
    **Error**: "Invalid settings", "Configuration error", "Bad parameters"

    **Cause**: Export settings incompatible or corrupted

    **Solutions**:

    **A. Reset to defaults**:

    * In Printery settings
    * Look for "Reset" or "Default" button
    * Re-configure from scratch

    **B. Check specific settings**:

    * DPI: Use 300 (standard)
    * Compression: 75-95% range
    * ICC Profile: Valid selection
    * PDF Format: PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3

    **C. Delete custom presets**:

    * May be corrupted preset
    * Delete and recreate

    **D. Reinstall plugin**:

    * Remove from Figma
    * Reinstall from Community
    * Fresh configuration
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Problem 3: PDF Exports But Is Blank/Missing Content

**Symptoms**:

* PDF generates successfully
* But pages blank or elements missing
* File size suspiciously small

**Cause**: Layers not exporting, visibility issues, or export settings

### Diagnosis

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Check Layer Visibility" icon="eye">
    **Hidden layers don't export**:

    **In Figma**:

    1. Check layers panel
    2. Look for hidden layers (eye icon crossed out)
    3. Unhide layers you want exported
    4. Re-export

    **Common mistake**: Hiding layer during design, forgetting to unhide

    **Also check**:

    * Layers outside frame boundaries
    * Zero opacity layers (invisible)
    * Layers behind other opaque layers
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check Frame Selection" icon="frame">
    **Exporting correct frames?**

    **In Printery**:

    * Verify correct frames selected for export
    * Not selecting empty frames accidentally

    **Check**:

    1. Click through frames in Figma
    2. Verify content present
    3. Ensure frames selected in plugin

    **Fix**: Select correct frames with content
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check Masks and Clipping" icon="scissors">
    **Masks can hide content unexpectedly**:

    **Look for**:

    * Clipping masks cutting off elements
    * Mask layers positioned wrong
    * Boolean operations hiding content

    **Test**:

    * Temporarily disable masks
    * Export
    * If content appears, mask was issue

    **Fix**: Adjust mask size/position to include content
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check Blend Modes" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    **Some blend modes may not export correctly**:

    **Problematic blend modes**:

    * Difference
    * Exclusion
    * Certain advanced modes

    **Test**:

    * Change blend mode to Normal
    * Export
    * If appears, blend mode was issue

    **Fix**:

    * Flatten layer with blend mode
    * Or use different blend mode
    * Re-export
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check File Permissions" icon="lock">
    **Linked content restrictions**:

    **If using**:

    * Images from external library
    * Figma components from other files
    * Shared team assets

    **May need**:

    * Edit access to source files
    * Published library access
    * Team permissions

    **Test**: Copy all content to new standalone file, try exporting
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Solutions

<Steps>
  <Step title="Make All Layers Visible">
    **Before exporting**:

    1. Select all frames to export
    2. In layers panel: Show all layers (unhide)
    3. Set all opacities to 100% (if applicable)
    4. Verify content visible in Figma
    5. Export

    **Shortcut**: Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+H (show/hide layers)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Flatten Problematic Layers">
    **For complex layers not exporting**:

    1. Select layer
    2. Right-click → Flatten
    3. Converts to rasterized image
    4. Should export reliably

    **Downside**: No longer editable, but ensures export
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export as Images Instead">
    **Temporary workaround**:

    **If vector export failing**:

    1. Export frames as PNG (300 DPI)
    2. Create new Figma frame
    3. Place PNG images
    4. Export simple frame to PDF

    **Not ideal**: Loses vector benefits, but works
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check PDF in Different Viewer">
    **May be viewer issue, not export**:

    **Try opening in**:

    * Adobe Acrobat
    * Preview (Mac)
    * Browser PDF viewer
    * Different PDF app

    **If shows in one but not another**: Viewer compatibility issue, not export problem
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Problem 4: Corrupted or Unreadable PDF

**Symptoms**:

* PDF won't open
* "File corrupted" error
* Opens but displays garbage/errors

**Cause**: Export interrupted, disk error, software bug

### Solutions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Solution 1: Re-export" icon="arrow-rotate-right">
    **Simplest fix**:

    1. Delete corrupted PDF
    2. Export again from Printery
    3. Wait for full completion
    4. Don't interrupt process
    5. Verify file size reasonable (not 0 bytes)

    **Check**: Open immediately after export to verify
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 2: Export to Different Location" icon="folder">
    **Disk/permission issue**:

    **Instead of default location**:

    * Export to Desktop
    * Or different drive
    * Different folder with full write permissions

    **May fix**: Permission errors, disk errors
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 3: Try Different Export Settings" icon="sliders">
    **Settings may cause issue**:

    **Change**:

    * PDF Format: Try PDF/X-1a instead of PDF/X-4
    * Compression: Try 85% instead of 95%
    * Downsampling: Enable

    **Simpler settings**: Sometimes more compatible
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 4: Repair PDF" icon="wrench">
    **If PDF partially works**:

    **Online tools**:

    * PDFaid.com (repair corrupted PDFs)
    * iLovePDF repair tool

    **Adobe Acrobat**:

    * Open PDF
    * File → Save As (reprocesses file)
    * May fix minor corruption

    **Last resort**: Not guaranteed but worth trying
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Problem 5: Printer Rejects PDF

**Symptoms**:

* PDF opens fine for you
* Printer says "Invalid file", "Can't process", or "Error"

**Cause**: PDF format incompatibility

### Printer Requirements

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Check PDF Format">
    **Different printers require different formats**:

    **Common requirements**:

    * **PDF/X-1a**: Most compatible, CMYK only
    * **PDF/X-3**: Allows RGB, ICC profiles
    * **PDF/X-4**: Modern, transparency support

    **Ask printer**: "What PDF format do you require?"

    **In Printery**:

    * Export tab → PDF Format
    * Select printer's required format
    * Re-export

    **If unsure**: PDF/X-1a is safest (most universal)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Check Color Space">
    **Printer requirements**:

    **Most printers need**: CMYK

    **Some accept**: RGB (convert themselves)

    **Verify your PDF**:

    * Acrobat: File → Properties → check color space
    * Should show CMYK

    **In Printery**:

    * Color tab → Convert to CMYK: Enabled ✓
    * Select appropriate ICC profile
    * Re-export

    **Send to printer**: CMYK version
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Check Resolution">
    **Printer minimums**:

    **Standard**: 300 DPI
    **Some accept**: 150 DPI minimum
    **High-end**: 300-600 DPI

    **Too high**: Can cause processing errors (> 600 DPI)

    **In Printery**:

    * Export tab → DPI: 300
    * Or printer's specified DPI

    **Re-export**: At correct DPI
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Check File Size">
    **Printer upload limits**:

    **Common limits**:

    * Budget printers: 50 MB
    * Standard: 100 MB
    * Professional: 200 MB+

    **If over limit**:

    * See [File Size Issues](/troubleshooting/file-size)
    * Compress images
    * Reduce file size

    **Ask printer**: Their specific limit
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Check Fonts">
    **Font embedding required**:

    **Printers need**: Fonts embedded in PDF

    **Check**:

    * Acrobat: File → Properties → Fonts
    * All should show "(Embedded)"

    **In Printery**:

    * Export tab → Embed fonts: Enabled ✓
    * Re-export

    **If fonts can't embed**: Convert text to outlines (see [Text Quality](/troubleshooting/text-quality))
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Get Printer Specifications

<Steps>
  <Step title="Request Print Specs">
    **Email or call printer**:

    "What are your PDF specifications for print files?"

    **Ask for**:

    * PDF format (PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4?)
    * Color space (CMYK required?)
    * Resolution (DPI?)
    * File size limit
    * Font embedding requirements
    * ICC profile preference

    **Professional printers**: Usually have spec sheet to send
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Printery">
    **Match their specs exactly**:

    * PDF Format: As specified
    * DPI: As specified (usually 300)
    * Color: CMYK with their preferred ICC profile
    * Embed fonts: Enabled
    * Compression: Adjust to stay under file size limit

    **Save as preset**: "PrinterName - Specs"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send Test File">
    **Before full order**:

    1. Export single page test
    2. Upload to printer
    3. Verify they can process
    4. Get confirmation it's good

    **Then**: Export full job with same settings
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Problem 6: Colors Wrong in Exported PDF

**See dedicated guide**: [Color Issues](/troubleshooting/color-issues)

**Quick fixes**:

* Ensure "Convert to CMYK" enabled
* Select correct ICC profile
* Use Relative Colorimetric rendering intent
* Enable soft proofing to preview

***

## Prevention: Export Best Practices

**Before every export**:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Organize Figma File">
    * Name layers clearly
    * Delete unused layers
    * Remove hidden layers (if not needed)
    * Frame content properly
    * Check all content visible
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Settings">
    * DPI: 300 (standard)
    * Compression: 85% (balanced)
    * PDF Format: PDF/X-1a (most compatible)
    * CMYK: Enabled with correct ICC profile
    * Embed fonts: Enabled
    * Bleed: Enabled (if applicable)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test Export">
    * Export single page first
    * Open in Acrobat/Preview
    * Verify all content present
    * Check colors reasonable
    * Zoom to check quality
    * If good, export full document
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Output">
    * Open PDF immediately
    * Check file size reasonable
    * Verify page count correct
    * Spot-check content
    * If printing, check with printer they can open
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Save time**: Test exports early, catch issues before full export

***

## Getting Help

**If still experiencing issues**:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Collect Error Details" icon="clipboard-list">
    **Before contacting support**:

    **Gather**:

    * Exact error message (screenshot)
    * Browser console errors (F12 → Console tab)
    * File size and complexity (layer count)
    * Export settings used
    * What you've already tried

    **Helps support**: Diagnose faster
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Contact Plugin Support" icon="headset">
    **For Printery issues**:

    * Check plugin page for support email
    * Or community forum
    * Include error details above

    **Response time**: Typically 24-48 hours
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check Figma Status" icon="signal">
    **May be Figma platform issue**:

    * Visit status.figma.com
    * Check for outages
    * If platform issue, wait for resolution

    **During outages**: Exports may fail regardless of settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Community Forums" icon="users">
    **Search existing solutions**:

    * Figma Community forum
    * Printery discussions
    * Others may have solved same issue

    **Post your issue**: Include details, others can help
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Learn More

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="File Size Issues" icon="file" href="/troubleshooting/file-size">
    Optimize large PDFs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Color Issues" icon="palette" href="/troubleshooting/color-issues">
    Fix color problems
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export Settings" icon="file-export" href="/features/export-settings">
    Configure settings correctly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Preflight Checklist" icon="clipboard-check" href="/tutorials/preflight-checklist">
    Quality control before export
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Tip>
  **Pro tip**: Save your export settings as a preset once you get them working. This ensures consistency and prevents errors from misconfiguration.
</Tip>