10 Canva Secrets Every Designer Needs to Know (Free & Pro Users!)
Canva has made design SO much easier for everyone, whether you're brand new or a trained professional. But here’s the deal…There are tons of hidden features in Canva that can make your life easier, speed up your projects, and give your designs that extra spark.
Ready to level up? Let’s dive into 10 Canva tips and tricks that every designer should know!
1. Magic Resize (Pro)
Picture this: you’ve made an awesome Instagram post, but you also need it as a Facebook post, a Pinterest pin, and, well, maybe even a Twitter banner.
Enter Magic Resize. With just one click, you can resize your design into multiple formats, so you don’t have to start from scratch!
Where to find it: In your editor, click “Resize” at the top and pick your sizes.
2. Keyboard Shortcuts for Fast Design
Speed things up with these time-saving shortcuts. Trust us, they’re addictive!
T for adding text
L for a line
R for a rectangle
C for a circle
Tap these keys, and your elements magically appear on the page. Super handy, right?
3. Drag-and-Drop Backgrounds
Changing the background? Don’t stress about deleting elements and re-layering!
Just drag a photo or pattern right into the background space—it’ll snap right in.
Pro Tip: Try Canva’s textures and patterns for some seriously cool effects.
4. Brand Kit for Consistent Colors & Fonts (Free & Pro)
If you work on multiple projects (or just want everything to look super coordinated), the Brand Kit is your new best friend.
Set up brand colors, fonts, and logos, so you can keep everything looking cohesive.
Pro users can make multiple kits—perfect for freelancers or anyone with several clients!
How to use it: Go to “Brand Kit” in the Canva dashboard to set up your style.
5. Photo Editing Tools You Probably Haven’t Used
Canva’s photo tools are seriously underrated. They go way beyond simple adjustments:
Brightness & Contrast: Perfect for making images pop.
Blur: Use this to add depth to backgrounds.
Duotone: Super trendy for social media graphics.
These effects will give you the perfect photo every time!
Where to find it: Click on an image, then “Edit image” and see all the options Canva has.
6. Templates for Every Occasion
Stuck on where to start?
Canva has templates for everything: social posts, presentations, even business cards and infographics.
Just type a keyword in the templates search bar, and you’ll find something. It’s a lifesaver when you’re in a rush (or just need a little inspiration).
7. Transparent Backgrounds for PNGs (Pro)
Pro feature alert! Export designs with a transparent background.
This is perfect for logos, overlays, or any design that needs to blend smoothly onto any surface.
How to do it: Go to “Download,” choose PNG, and tick the “Transparent background” box.
8. Frames and Grids for Unique Image Shapes
Want to make a collage or give your images a fresh shape? Frames and grids are the way to go.
Just drag your photo into a frame (circle, square, whatever), and it automatically crops. Get cool-looking images without any headache.
Where to find it: Click “Elements,” scroll to “Frames” or “Grids,” and take your pick.
9. Add Animations for Extra Flair (Free & Pro)
Static images are nice, but adding a little movement? That’s next level.
Canva’s animations can give your designs some personality.
Choose a subtle animation (like “Fade”) or go bold (like “Bounce”) to bring your graphics to life.
How to animate: Once your design is done, click “Animate” and pick your fave style.
10. The “More” Tab is Your Secret Weapon
Don’t miss the “More” tab! It’s where Canva hides some super useful extras like Charts, QR codes, and Google Maps.
This is also where you’ll find integrations with Pexels and Pixabay for amazing free stock images—no need to go hunting elsewhere.
Where to find it: In your editor, click “More” on the left panel and start exploring.
Canva isn’t just a design tool—it’s like your personal design sidekick that makes projects quicker, easier, and more fun!
So next time you open up Canva, try out a few of these tips and watch how much smoother (and more exciting!) your design process becomes.
Want personalized Canva tips? Schedule your free consultation NOW!