How To Edit in Canva: Quick Guide for Beginners
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In today’s digital world, creating eye-catching visual content is becoming increasingly important.
Canva lets you create high-quality images for social media, presentations, newsletters, and more. From adding text and custom images to choosing the right colors and fonts, Canva puts the power of graphic design right at your fingertips.
In this article, I’ll show you how to quickly edit Canva templates that you’ve purchased or found by using the search bar. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to get the most out of Canva to enhance your visual content.
What is a Template
A template is a pre-designed layout that you can use as a starting point for your Canva projects. It saves you time and effort by providing a ready-made design that you can customize according to your preferences.
From social media graphics and presentations to resumes and posters, you have numerous options at your fingertips. The best part is that you don’t have to be a professional designer to create visually appealing designs!
Using templates in Canva is a fun and easy way to create eye-catching designs without starting from scratch. Just pick a template, and let your creativity flow!
Access Your Canva Template
There are basically two ways of accessing a Canva template: Searching templates directly in Canva or accessing them via a Link.
Accessing Canva
To start editing in Canva, you’ll first need to access the platform. You can do this by either visiting the Canva website or downloading the Canva app on your smartphone or tablet. If you don’t have a Canva account yet, you can create one by clicking on “Sign up,” then provide the necessary information. If you already have an account, simply log in.
Creating or Opening an Existing Canva Document
Once you’ve logged in, you can either search for the existing design or call up and edit the template via the link.
Once you have opened the templates link, click on Use Template for New Design.
Navigating the Canva User Interface
When you have your Canva document open, you can also access other templates. On the left side of the screen, you’ll see a menu with several options, including “Templates” or “Design”. Click on it to browse through the available options. When you find a template you like, hover over it and click on “Use this template.” The template will then be applied to your document, and you can start customizing it.
How to edit in Canva: Basic Editing Tools
Canva offers a variety of editing tools to help you customize your designs. In this section, we will discuss some of the most useful tools, including incorporating your own images or photos, modifying text and adding new text boxes or shapes, as well as adding and editing elements.
Uploading Your Own Images or Photos
To personalize your Canva templates, you can easily upload your own image.
Click on the “Uploads” tab in the left-hand menu, then click the “Upload files” button.
Once your photos are uploaded, you can drag them onto your design and adjust their size or position as needed.
You can choose own photos from your device, or you can access a library of images. With Canva Pro account, you have a much wider choice:
- Go to Elements
- Type your Keyword
- Define the Category (Graphics, Photos, Videos, Shapes)
- Click on Your desired Element oder Drag it to Canvas
Modifying Text and Adding New Text Boxes
To edit text within an existing text box, just click on the text box and begin typing your changes. You can also easily format your text with the editing options available in the toolbar above. You can change the font style, size, color, alignment, and more.
To add a new text box to your design, click the “Text” tab in the left-hand menu and choose your desired text style.
Then, simply drag and drop the text box onto your design and customize it as needed.
Adding and Editing Elements
Elements are a great way to add extra flair and functionality to your designs. To add elements to your design, click the “Elements” tab in the left-hand menu and browse.
You can search for elements by keywords, or you can filter your search with categories such as shapes, icons, frames, and more. Add elements to your design by dragging them onto your workspace or with a mouse click.
To edit an element, select it and use the features available in the toolbar at the top of the screen. You can adjust the size, color, and transparency of an element, as well as change its layer position. Many elements also have additional customization options, such as resizable corners or crop and resize tools. Explore different elements and editing features to create the perfect design for your project.
Advanced Tools
Adding Borders to Elements
To add a border to an element in your design, follow these steps:
- Select the element you want to add the border to.
- Click on the lines at the top bar.
- Choose a style of border, and adjust the width and color as needed.
Remove Background
Removing the background of an image is a breeze with Canva:
- Select the image with the background you want to remove.
- Click on the Edit Photo Effects at the top bar.
- Click the Background Remover tool.
- Wait for Canva to process the image, and the background will be removed automatically.
This Tool is only available when you are a Canva Pro User.
Positioning Tools
Positioning your elements precisely in Canva can be achieved using the following tools:
- Align: Select multiple elements and click the Position tab in the editor toolbar. Choose to align them vertically or horizontally.
- Distribute: Select multiple elements, and use the Position tab to distribute them across your design.
- Layering: Arrange your elements by clicking on the element, and using the Arrange options to “Bring Forward” or “Send Backward.”
Use AI with Canva’s Magic Studio
Try out the different tools. I have written a separate article about the AI possibilities in Canva Magic Studio.
Save and Share Your Canva Design
One of the best features of Canva is its ease of sharing and saving your designs. With just a few clicks, you can store your work and share it with others.
Using the Saving and Downloading Options
You don’t have to click on Save to save your design. Canva automatically saves all changes.
When you’re ready to download your design, follow these steps:
- Click on Share in the right top corner
- Click on the Download button, which is located at the top right corner of the screen.
- Choose a file format from the dropdown menu (e.g., JPEG, PNG, or PDF).
- Select a page range or multiple pages if you have a multi-page design.
- Click the Download button to start the file download process.
Nn designs with several pages, all the pages are always preselected.
Sharing your design with others is also a breeze. Canva offers multiple sharing options, including:
- Share a link: Copy and paste a unique link to your design that others can view or edit (if given permission).
- Embed: Generate an embed code that can be added to a website, allowing your design to be seen on the page.
- Share on social media: Post your design on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Conclusion: Change the Template in Minutes
Editing in Canva is simple, and with just a few simple steps, you can transform your designs in minutes. All you need to do is select a template, customize it to your liking, and save your masterpiece.
To make your design truly unique, consider utilizing Canva’s features like:
- Font selection: Choose from a wide variety of fonts to set the tone of your design. Mix and match different styles, or stick to one that complements your theme.
- Color palette: Experiment with different color combinations to achieve a cohesive and eye-catching look. You can even use your brand’s colors for consistency.
- Resizable elements: Adjust the size and dimensions of your graphics, icons, and other design elements to fit your exact needs.
- Layering: Easily rearrange elements by moving them forward or backward, creating an illusion of depth and dimension in your design.
Finally, don’t forget to save your design in the required file format. Canva offers a variety of options like JPG, PNG, and PDF. You can share your creations directly on social media, send via email, or download them for future use.
With Canva, you’re in control, and with a little practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful designs that capture your vision in no time. Happy designing!
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