Canva Secrets: How to Design Like a Pro

Are you looking to take your Canva designs to the next level? Whether you are a professional designer or a beginner, there are always new tips and tricks to discover that can help you create stunning designs in less time. In this article, we have compiled a list of some of the best Canva tips, tricks, and hacks that you can use to take your designs to the next level. From selecting elements behind layers to blurring the background of an image, we have got you covered.

Check out our list below of the top 27 hacks we use on the daily.

Canva Hacks

Select Element Behind – Layer Hack:

When working with multiple elements in Canva, it can be frustrating when you can’t select the one you want because another element is on top of it. However, there’s a layer hack that can help with this. By holding down the Alt key (or Option key on a Mac) and clicking on an element, you can select the one behind it. This is a quick and easy way to select the element you want without having to rearrange all your elements. Canva has also recently introduced the layers panel. Select an item, then choose Position and you will see the layers panel where you can select any layer in your design.

Use Canva Frames to Display Mockups or Create Collages:

Canva Frames are a great way to display mockups or create collages. You can choose from a wide range of pre-designed frames or create your own. Simply drag and drop your images into the frames and adjust them as needed. Frames make it easy to create professional-looking mockups and collages quickly and easily.

Upload Images Quickly Using Drag and Drop Upload:

One of the quickest ways to upload images to Canva is by using the drag and drop upload feature. Simply drag your image from your desktop or folder and drop it onto the Canva design space. This is a great time-saver and makes it easy to add images to your designs.

Group Different Elements Together:

Grouping elements together in Canva is a great way to keep your design organized and make it easier to move multiple elements at once. Simply select the elements you want to group and click the Group button in the top toolbar. You can then move and resize the group as a single element.

Move Elements Around the Editor with Ease:

When designing in Canva, it’s easy to move elements around the editor using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Simply select the element you want to move and use the arrow keys to move it up, down, left, or right. This is a quick and easy way to make adjustments to your design.

Lock Elements in Their Place:

If you want to prevent an element from being moved or edited accidentally, you can lock it in place. Simply select the element you want to lock and click the Lock button in the top toolbar. This is a great way to ensure that your design stays exactly as you intended.

Quickly Filter Search Results:

When searching for templates, images, or other design elements in Canva, you can quickly filter the results by using the filter options in the left-hand sidebar. This is a great way to narrow down your search and find exactly what you need quickly and easily.

Add a QR Code to Your Designs:

If you want to include a QR code in your design, Canva makes it easy. Simply select the QR code element from the Elements tab, enter the URL or text you want to link to, and Canva will generate the code for you.

Use Tidy Up for Even Spacing:

If you want to ensure even spacing between elements in your design, Canva’s Tidy Up feature can help. Simply select the elements you want to space out evenly and click the Tidy Up button in the top toolbar. Canva will automatically adjust the spacing between the elements for a clean and professional look.

Add Clickable Links in PDFs:

If you want to create a PDF with clickable links, Canva makes it easy. Simply add a button or text element to your design and use the Link feature in the top toolbar to add the URL or link you want to use. When you export your design as a PDF, the links will be clickable.

Animate Your Design – Canva Animation:

Canva’s animation feature allows you to add movement to your designs. You can choose from a range of animation styles and adjust the speed and duration to create the effect you want. This is a great way to make your designs stand out and grab attention.

Create Websites Through Canva:

Canva’s website builder feature allows you to create a professional-looking website quickly and easily. You can choose from a range of pre-designed templates and customize them to fit your brand and style. This is a great option for businesses that want to establish an online presence without hiring a web developer.

Copy Style of an Element:

If you want to apply the same style to multiple elements in your design, you can use the Copy Style feature in Canva. Simply select the element with the style you want to copy, click the Copy Style button in the top toolbar, and then select the element you want to apply the style to and click the Paste Style button.

View Similar Design Elements:

If you want to find similar design elements to the one you’re currently using, Canva makes it easy. Simply click on the element you want to find similar options for and click the Similar button in the top toolbar. Canva will show you a range of similar design elements to choose from.

Add a Gradient in the Background:

If you want to add a gradient effect to the background of your design, Canva makes it easy. Simply select the background element and choose the Gradient option in the top toolbar. You can then adjust the colors and direction of the gradient to create the effect you want.

Curved Text and Effects:

Canva allows you to add curved text and other effects to your designs. Simply select the text element you want to curve and click on the Curve button in the top toolbar. You can then adjust the curve, spacing, and other settings to create the effect you want.

Brand Kit to Streamline Your Designs:

Canva’s Brand Kit feature allows you to create a set of brand elements, including colors, fonts, and logos, that you can use across all your designs. This ensures consistency in your branding and makes it easy to create professional-looking designs quickly and easily.

Leave Comments While Collaborating:

If you’re collaborating on a design with team members or clients, you can leave comments directly in Canva. Simply select the element you want to comment on and click the Comment button in the top toolbar. This is a great way to communicate and make revisions without having to leave the platform.

Adjust Text Position Using Rulers:

Canva’s rulers feature allows you to adjust the position of your text with precision. Simply drag the ruler to the position you want and your text will snap to that position. This is a great way to ensure your text is perfectly aligned and spaced.

Create the Highlight Effect for an Image:

If you want to create a highlight effect, Canva makes it easy. Simply select the element you want to highlight and apply a shadow effect. You can adjust the color, size, and other settings to create the effect you want.

Save Your Designs as Templates:

If you have a design you want to reuse in the future, you can save it as a template in Canva. Simply select the design and click on the Template button in the top toolbar. You can then access your templates from the Templates tab.

Color Palette Generator to Create Attractive Color Combinations:

Canva’s Color Palette Generator feature allows you to create attractive color combinations for your designs. Simply upload an image or enter a color code and Canva will generate a range of complementary colors.

Get Color Palette Ideas and Font Combinations:

If you’re looking for color palette ideas or font combinations, Canva has a range of pre-designed options to choose from. Simply browse the options in the Elements tab and choose the one that best fits your design needs.

Use Pre-Designed Color and Font Combinations:

If you want to save time and ensure a professional look for your designs, Canva offers pre-designed color and font combinations that you can easily apply to your designs. Simply select the element you want to change and choose from the pre-designed options in the dropdown menu.

Using the Color Eyedropper Tool:

If you want to match the color of an element in your design to another element or image, Canva’s Color Eyedropper tool can help. Simply select the element you want to change and click on the Color Eyedropper button in the top toolbar. You can then click on the element or image you want to match the color to.

Import and Edit PDF Files:

If you have a PDF file you want to edit or use elements from, Canva allows you to import and edit PDF files directly in the platform. Simply drag and drop the PDF file onto the design space and you can then edit the elements within the PDF.

Blurring the Background of an Image:

If you want to blur the background of an image, Canva’s Blur tool can help. Simply select the image and click on the Blur button in the top toolbar. You can then adjust the level of blur to create the effect you want. 

Basic Shortcuts

By learning and implementing Canva shortcuts, you can speed up your design process and work more efficiently. Here are some of the most useful Canva shortcuts to help you use Canva with serious speed:

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl + Z	Undo
Ctrl + Y	Redo
Ctrl + S	Save
Ctrl + A	Select all
T	Add text
R	Add rectangle
L	Add line
C	Add circle
Ctrl + K	Add link
Ctrl + Enter	Add empty page
Ctrl + Backspace	Delete empty page
Ctrl + F1	Navigate to toolbar
Ctrl + F2	Skip to canvas

Element Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
Backspace or Delete	Delete selected elements
Ctrl + G	Group elements
Ctrl + Shift + G	Ungroup elements
Alt + Shift + L	Lock element
Ctrl + ]	Arrange elements forward
Ctrl + [	Arrange elements backward
Alt + Ctrl + ]	Arrange elements to front
Alt + Ctrl + [	Arrange elements to back
Alt + Shift + T	Tidy up elements

Conclusion

These Canva tips and tricks can help you save time and work more efficiently, while also creating professional-looking designs that grab attention. Whether you’re using Canva for personal or business purposes, there are always new features and tools to explore. By taking advantage of these tips and tricks, you can make the most out of what Canva has to offer and produce impressive designs with ease. So go ahead, give them a try and see how much they can help enhance your creative workflow.