If you are a frequent visitor of my shop, then you may know that I offer Editable binder covers that you can edit in Canva. So, I thought it would be a great idea to create a tutorial on how to customize templates in Canva.
About Canva
Canva is a popular graphic design platform that allows users to create various designs such as posters, flyers, social media graphics, and more. It offers thousands of customizable templates for different purposes, making it a go-to tool for many designers and non-designers alike.
Why Customize Templates?
Using pre-made templates saves time and effort, especially if you are not familiar with designing from scratch. However, personalization is key when it comes to standing out from the crowd. By customizing templates in Canva, you can add your own touch and personality to your designs, making them truly unique.
Let’s Get Started
In this tutorial, I will show you how to customize templates in Canva step by step. Follow along and let your creativity flow!
Step 1: Log in to Canva
To get started, log in to your Canva account. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily create one for free.
Step 2: Open up your template file
You will want to open up the PDF file of the template you want to customize. This can usually be downloaded from the website where you purchased or received the template.
You will then click on the link that takes you to your Canva template. It should open up in your Canva account and look something like this:
Note: For this tutorial I am using my Editable Binder Covers, but these steps can be applied to any Canva template.
Step 3: Familiarize yourself with the editing tools
Now that you have your template open, take a look at all the different editing tools on the left side of the screen. These are where you can edit and customize various elements of your design.
Step 4: Change colors and fonts
To change colors or fonts, simply click on the element you want to edit and a pop-up menu will appear on the left side of the screen.
You will also get a pop-up menu above the pages you are editing that will contain different tools depending on the element you are editing.
From there, you can choose from pre-selected color palettes or select custom colors using the color wheel. You can also choose from hundreds of font options to find the perfect one for your design.
Step 5: Add stock or your own images
With Canva, you have access to a huge library of stock images or you can upload your own.
To add one of Canva’s stock images click on the elements tag and type in the search bar to find an image you like.
Note that some PRO elements (marked with a crown icon) may require an additional fee to use.
If you are looking for free images to use in your design, you can also use websites like Unsplash or Pexels to find high-quality, royalty-free images.
To add your own image, click on the “uploads” tab on the left side of the screen and drag and drop your image into the template. You can then resize, rotate, and adjust its position as needed.
Step 6: Customize text and graphics
To customize text or graphics, simply click on them and make changes using the editing tools on the top of the screen.
You can change font size, color, spacing, alignment, and more. For graphics, you can also change their size and position.
When changing text in a template, make sure you are on the element you want to change.
For example: When changing the text in my editable binder you will want to make sure you are on the text element and not the background element.
You will know you have the text element highlighted by a box around the element. A tool box to edit text element will also open with tools such as font type, font color, bold, italic, etc.
However, If you have the background clicked instead, you will get a different editor toolbox with tools to edit the background, such as background color, transparency, edit, etc.
If for any reason you are unhappy with a change you can simply click the undo button at the top to undo a change.
Step 7: Save and download your design
Once you are satisfied with your design, click on the “Share” button at the top right of the screen.
You will have the option to choose from different file types such as JPEG, PNG, or PDF. Depending on where you plan to use your design, make sure to choose the appropriate file type for best results.
Conclusion
Canva is a powerful and user-friendly tool for creating professional designs without any design experience. With its wide range of templates, editing tools, and customization options, you can easily create eye-catching designs for various purposes such as social media posts, presentations, flyers, and more. So why wait? Start using Canva today to elevate your visual content game! Keep exploring and experimenting with different features to unleash your creativity. Happy designing!