How to Create Custom Shape Canvases with PDFs

Custom shapes can be imported as SVGs or PDFs. However, importing PDFs requires a slightly different process. If you’d like to maintain the outline shape when importing a PDF, follow these steps: (All steps below need to be done in Adobe Illustrator)


  1. Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the outermost layer.
  2. Hold down the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) then click the outermost layer to ensure the entire layer is selected.
  3. Copy the selected layer (Command + C on Mac or Ctrl + C on Windows) and paste it to the front (Command + F on Mac or Ctrl + F on Windows).
  4. Arrange the copied layer to the top of the layer panel or you can select the new layer and use keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + ] (Mac) or Shift + Ctrl + ] (Windows).
  5. Select all the layers (Command + A on Mac or Ctrl + A windows)
  6. Go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make (or press Command + 7 on Mac or Ctrl + 7 on Windows)
  7. Go to Artboard > Preset > Fit to Selected Art
  8. Save as PDF (Ensure the Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities is checked)
  9. Import into Design Huddle

Things to note:

  • Remove any extra layers beyond bleed and crop marks.
  • As mentioned above, all steps need to be done in Adobe Illustrator