Canva Guide

Canva is an online design tool that works in your browser, on desktop, and on phones and tablets. You can make social posts, slides, documents, videos, websites, and print designs without any design training.

Templates get you started. Good choices make the design yours.

Free

Thousands of templates, basic elements, and core editing

Pro

Premium templates and stock, Brand Kit, background remover, Magic Resize, and more AI uses

Teams and Business

Shared brand controls, team folders, and approvals

Education and nonprofits

Free premium features for eligible schools and charities

Plans and prices change. Check canva.com/pricing for current details.

• The left panel holds templates, elements, text, uploads, and apps
• Click any element to see its toolbar at the top
• Use Position to align and arrange layers
• Lock elements you do not want to move
• Use the page view to add, copy, or reorder pages

• Search for the exact format, such as “Instagram post” or “pitch deck”
• Pick one with a layout you like, not just colours
• Replace the text and images with your own
• Delete what you do not need

• Use two fonts at most: one for headings, one for body text
• Pick three to five brand colours and reuse them
• Keep strong contrast between text and background

On paid plans, a Brand Kit stores your logo, colours, and fonts in one place, so every design stays consistent and teammates use the same assets.

Docs

Visual documents and reports

Presentations

Slides with presenter view and recording

Whiteboards

Brainstorms and planning

Sheets

Spreadsheets that can feed charts and designs

Websites

Simple one-page sites from your designs

Use Resize to turn one design into an Instagram post, a story, a LinkedIn banner, and a slide. Check each version, because text and images may need small moves.

• Trim clips and add transitions on the timeline
• Add captions, music, and sound effects
• Use templates for Reels, Shorts, and TikToks

• Share with view, comment, or edit access
• Leave comments and assign tasks to teammates
• Use folders to keep projects organised

PNG

Sharp images and graphics

JPG

Smaller photos

PDF Print

Printing, with crop marks and bleed if needed

MP4

Video

You can also order printed flyers, business cards, and more directly from Canva.

• One main message per design
• Leave enough space around text
• Line elements up instead of placing them by eye
• Use only images you have the right to use