Unfortunately, you cannot round artboard corners in Adobe Illustrator. The artboard itself is always a rectangular shape with sharp corners. This is because the artboard represents the final trimmed size of your printed piece, and any corner rounding or other finishing touches are typically handled during the printing and finishing processes.
When designing for print, it’s important to remember that the physical trimming and finishing of the printed piece is done after it has been printed. This means that any design elements that require rounded corners should not be included in the actual artwork file.
If you do need rounded corners on your printed piece, it is usually done during the cutting or trimming process. Printers have specialized equipment that can accurately cut and round the corners of the printed piece as desired. Therefore, it’s best to design your artwork with square edges and avoid trying to indicate rounded corners within the design file.
Using a rounded rectangle shape as a workaround is not recommended, as it can create unnecessary complications and may not accurately represent the final printed result. It’s always best to consult with your printer or production team to ensure that your design is set up correctly for the desired finishing touches.
In my personal experience as a designer, I have encountered situations where clients have requested rounded corners on their printed materials. In such cases, I always advise them that the rounding of corners is not something that can be done within the design file itself, but rather during the finishing process. This helps to ensure that the final product meets their expectations and avoids any unnecessary confusion or complications.
While you cannot round artboard corners in Illustrator, it’s important to design with square edges and avoid indicating rounded corners within the design file. The rounding of corners is typically handled during the printing and finishing processes, so it’s best to consult with your printer or production team for any specific requests regarding rounded corners on your printed materials.