How to design a candle dust cover

Let's get started

Creating a dust cover from scratch can be split into two sections, these are:

1: Measuring your vessel and choosing a dust cover style

2: The design process and ordering

We'll cover each of these, feel free to skip ahead to the section you'd like to know more about.

STEP 1: PLANNING

The first step is to know exactly what size and style dust cover you need for your candles. To determine your size you'll need to measure your vessel.

Measure your vessel

Measure the inside diameter of your vessel. It is critical that you measure the inside dimension, not the outer dimension. See the photo for an illustration. The reason we measure the inner dimension is because the dust cover will go inside the vessel. If the inner size is a bit of a wonky fraction we recommend rounding down to the nearest eighth of an inch. For example, if you your measurement is 3 1/16 (3.0625") like in this photo round down to 3.00".

Next, take that measurement and subtract .25". Using the example above take 3.00" and subtract 0.25" to get 2.75". That is the size we would suggest for this vessel. We suggest rounding down and subtracting .25" for a few reasons:

• If the dust cover is too big it won't fit

• If the dust cover just barely fits it will be difficult it insert and remove

• A slightly smaller dust cover gives you some wiggle room if your wick happens to not be perfectly centered

Choose your style

Now that you know what size you need you can pick the style. The main two options are dust cover with or without a pull tab, we do offer some sizes with wood wick holes and "race track" style holes for duel wick candles or extra wide wood wicks.

STEP 2: DESIGN

Now that you know exactly which dust cover size and style you want you can get to work designing. You have a number of options when it comes to how you will create your design. Use whichever option available to you that you feel comfortable working with. The most common methods are the following

• Design apps with layer functionality such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop or Affinity Designer, Publisher

• Web-based design apps like Canva or Adobe Express

Design apps

We can't give an exact step by step guide because each of the apps is a little different, however if you application lets you create a custom size document and has the ability to use layers you should be able to follow along as many of the apps work in a similar way.

1: Download the PDF template from our Template Library

2: In your design software create a new document the size of the dust cover you will order being sure in include .125" bleed area on each side.

3: Add a layer called "Template" and place the template you downloaded in Step 1 into that layer making sure it is centered. Lock this layer to avoid selecting or moving it as you work.

4: Add another layer for your art, or more as needed, and begin creating your design. Use the template to make sure your design fits and is in the position you'd like.

5: When your design is complete turn the Template layer OFF and export a PDF. Be sure to include bleed when you export the PDF. The final PDF should be .25" larger than the dust cover you will be ordering.

6: Go to shop.normansprintery.com and navigate to the dust cover size and style you are ordering (should be the same size as the template you downloaded). Select your desired paper and quantity. Next click "Customize Order". This is where you will upload your art. Click anywhere in the blue area or the box in the upper left the reads "Upload your art". Select the PDF you exported and upload it. You will see a screen allowing you to crop the art, if you followed these steps you will not need to crop it, so click "Finish cropping" to continue. You should now see your art fitting the template exactly as you designed it. Click "Finished editing" to continue, confirm that the art is correct on the next step. From here the dust cover is added to your cart, follow the checkout process to complete your order. Great job!

Canva

1: Select the dust cover size and style you'd like from our Template Library

2: Make sure Bleed is turned on by navigating to File > View settings > Show print bleed. Make sure it's checked ON.

3: Begin creating your dust cover design. Use the template in the background to make sure your design fits and is in the position you'd like.

4: When your design is complete click the background template die-line (circle showing the shape of the dust cover). When you click on it you will see a lock in the top right corner. Click the lock icon to unlock, then press the delete key. This will remove the dieline.

5: Next click Share > Download > PDF. Select "PDF Print" as your file type, make sure "Crop marks and bleed" is checked on, then click "Download".

6: Go to shop.normansprintery.com and navigate to the dust cover size and style you are ordering (should be the same size as the template you downloaded). Select your desired paper and quantity. Next click "Customize Order". This is where you will upload your art. Click anywhere in the blue area or the box in the upper left the reads "Upload your art". Select the file PDF you created and upload. You will see a screen allowing you to crop the art, if you followed these steps you will not need to crop the art, so click "Finish cropping" to continue. Your art will be placed into the document. Because Canva uses a slightly different amount of bleed than we prefer you may need to enlarge your art a little by clicking on a corner and dragging outward. When the art looks the way you'd like click "Finished editing" to continue, confirm that the art is correct on the next step. From here the dust cover is added to your cart, follow the checkout process to complete your order. Great job!