How to Use Canva

Canva has a wide variety of graphics to pick from, including logos, email headers, Facebook ad, Facebook post, Instagram post, Esty shop icon, flyer, poster, business card, resume, brochure, book cover, newsletter, postcard, and more.

Each item has a list of templates to choose from. All templates are free and many of the graphics, but not all. Be aware of copyright restrictions. Canva syncs between a phone app and website. (Though personally, I find it tough to work on my phone.)

Creating a basic project.

1. Click on Create a Design or choose from a graphic listed mid-screen. Know the purpose of the item for sizing. (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook elements have specific dimensions. The templates reflect this.)
2. On the far-right menu, click on Templates.  Select a template similar to your needs.
3. Or to create your own design, click on Elements. Choose the elements needed for your design.

Element Bar on the left side of the screen

Photos

• Search—Type requirements for the photo needed. Note: I have found the more specific I am, the less free pictures Canva gives me. Photos marked with a crown are for premium users only and a dollar sign indicates the picture must be paid for.
• Category—Photos that are currently popular. Easter is still listed at the time of this post.
• Recently Used—Pictures that you have used in the past that you might need again.
• Trending—Pictures that other users are finding helpful.

 Elements

• Recently Used—Pictures you have used recently
• Featured—Pictures that Canva is promoting.
• Grids—Rows and columns with place holders for images. Drop images into the grid.
• Shapes—Geometric elements—square, circle, etc. Drag to draw
• Frames—Picture frames that shape photos. Drop photos inside.
• Stickers—Animated graphics
• Charts—Data charts and graphs. Double click to add data.
• Gradients—Shapes with fading or morphing colors.
• Lines—Add a line.
• Popular collections—Images already categories for ease of use.

Text

1. Under the search bar, click Add a heading, Add a subheading, or Add a little bit of body text to add text to the design. Each can be altered by font, size, and color.
2. Or click a pre-made box of text with fonts and sizes already chosen.
3. Drag text box to the location desired.
4. Click inside the box to edit. Font, size, color, the spacing will appear above.

Videos

1. Click on the search bar to find the short video appropriate for the design.
2. Or browse preset categories below the search bar.

Background

1. Choose from a pre-made background that will automatically go to the back of your design.
2. Click to choose a solid background. Click on the color palette for more choices. 

Uploads

1. Click on Upload image.
2. Search your drive for the desired image. Click Open.
3. Click on a picture in the menu to use in design.

Element Editor Bar at the top of the screen

• Grouping items—Stick items together.  Shift-click to select multiple elements and click Group at the top of the page to keep the items together as placed.
• Duplicate—Create an exact copy of the element selected.
• Position—Layering elements. Click on an item in the design. Click on Position on the top left of screen. Move the item within the layers of your design or the position within the design (center, left align, etc.)
• Copy Style—Similar to the Paint Brush in Word to copy font, color, and size in one motion. Click the roller, then the element to copy. Then click on item to receive copied style.
• Transparency—Fade pictures, text, shapes into the background. Click on desired object, click the grid fading from black to gray, found on the upper left of the screen. Move slider to desired look.
• Link—Add a URL into the design
• Lock—Lock elements so they cannot be edited or erased easily.
• Trash Can—Delete items or elements from the design.

Finished Projects

• Canva autosaves, but under the File menu, Save is an option. Also, Copy will create a duplicate project if mistakes are made.
• Downloading projects. Either open the File menu or click the Download icon to get the design. Choose the file type by click on the small down arrow on the download menu. And click the Download button.

Publish

Designs can be published straight to social media if desired, by clicking the Publish menu and choosing the desired app. (You must connect your Canva account to the other app.)

The best way to learn Canva is to play. Go have fun. You can't break it.