A missing accent or an empty square can change the way a label is understood. Special characters deserve their own check because a font may display the ordinary letters correctly while failing on one symbol. Start from the approved wording, inspect the actual characters and keep a readable alternative available before finalizing the artwork.
01
Create a character test from the actual copy
Collect the difficult characters from the product name and supporting wording. Include accented letters, apostrophes, ampersands, quantity units and any marks the business has approved. Put them beside ordinary letters and numbers so you can compare their height, weight and baseline rather than inspecting each in isolation.
For an illustrative balm range, the test might contain “Crème”, a quantity line and a supplier-approved temperature instruction. Copy those exact strings from the approved document. Similar-looking characters can have different meanings, so avoid rebuilding a technical line from a search result containing a convenient-looking symbol.
02
Check the font before changing the wording
Canva’s text troubleshooting guidance identifies unsupported characters as one cause of missing-box or replacement displays. Try the full string in a suitable alternative font and compare the result. Keep the original copy source intact while testing; fixing the appearance should not silently change the information.
If a decorative title font fails only on one accent, consider using a supported font for that whole title rather than placing a separate floating accent above it. A manually assembled character is easy to misalign or lose when the name changes. Use a consistent, maintainable solution for the complete range.
03
Separate decorative icons from meaningful symbols
A small leaf graphic can be decorative, while a unit or approved instruction symbol carries information. Keep those roles distinct. Do not substitute an emoji or a vaguely similar library icon for a mark whose exact appearance and meaning matter to the product owner.
Use a review table to assign responsibility. The copy owner confirms the intended text and marks; the designer checks their display. If you are uncertain whether the wording should use a particular symbol, leave the question open for review instead of treating it as an ordinary style preference.
| Item | Reviewer question |
|---|---|
| Accented name | Is spelling preserved? |
| Unit or technical symbol | Is the exact approved character used? |
| Decorative graphic | Does it remain clearly decorative? |
| Exported text | Are all characters visible? |
04
Proof the exported file and the smallest version
Open the downloaded print file outside Canva and inspect the difficult strings. Review the smallest label format as well as a larger master. A character may technically appear while becoming too fine, crowded or detached from the line when reduced to the actual package size.
Keep the approved test line with the release record. When a new language or product name is added, extend that test instead of assuming the original approval covers every future character. This small reference turns a one-time fix into a repeatable check for the range.
BEFORE YOUR NEXT STEP
Your practical checklist
- Collect exact characters from approved copy.
- Test the full line in the chosen font.
- Keep meaningful symbols distinct from decoration.
- Inspect the export at the smallest size.
Questions & answers
Can I replace a missing character with something that looks close?+
Ask the copy owner before doing so. A similar glyph may have a different meaning or change the spelling; display troubleshooting should preserve the approved information.
Are emojis reliable substitutes for printed product icons?+
Treat them cautiously and check the saved output. For a stable packaging system, use approved artwork with a clear meaning rather than relying on a decorative emoji to carry product information.
Sources & further reading
Official references for the technical points in this guide. Check current specifications before production.