canva

crash
course
guide for beginners
CANVA
CRASH
COURSE
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USING CANVA

S H I D I G I T A L S
 READ FIRST
What's Allowed
Editing the Template:

You can fully customize the template in Canva, including changing text,
images, colors, and layout.
Rebranding is encouraged to make the product uniquely yours. Modify
titles, cover photos, and colors.

Reselling the Product:

You can resell the template with Master Resell Rights (MRR) and Private
Label Rights (PLR).
You may distribute the template as a digital download.

Using the Template:

You can use the template for personal or commercial projects.

You can create and sell end products using the template, such as
customized digital files or printed materials.

What's Not Allowed

Unaltered Reselling:

Do not resell the template without making significant modifications.

This includes changing titles, cover photos, and colors.
Do not sell the exact same template with no changes.
Claiming as Your Own Creation:
Do not claim the original template design as your own.
Always provide proper attribution if required by the original licensing
terms.

Sharing the Template for Free:

Do not share the template files for free or give them away as a bonus
without prior rebranding.
Ensure the template is only available through purchase and not through
unauthorized free distribution.

Using the Same Titles and Cover Photos:

Do not use the same titles, cover photos, and colors included in the
original template. Rebranding is required for reselling.

Violating Canva's Terms:

Ensure all modifications and uses of the template comply with Canva’s
terms of use and licensing agreements.
CONTENTS
WELCOME

GETTING STARTED

EDITING BASICS

THE TOOLBARS

TIPS & TRICKS

FREE VS PRO
WELCOME!
Canva is EVERYWHERE these days and
having even basic Canva skills is
becoming an incredibly useful,
marketable, and dare I say, essential skill!

Canva is a user-friendly design website

that allows you to easily design almost
anything, from party invites and journal
pages, to social media posts and
graphics, to full ebooks and workbooks.

Mastering the basics of Canva means

that not only can you modify, edit and
adapt purchased templates to your liking,
but you might even find yourself
developing your own products,
documents and graphics in Canva
yourself - whether it’s social media posts
and a logo for your business, or whole
products that you can sell and profit from
yourself.

Even many workplaces are using Canva

now, making it a crucial tool to add to
your toolbox.

CANVA IS PACKED WITH TOOLS BUT DON’T

GET OVERWHELMED IF YOU’RE NEW TO THE
SOFTWARE. TAKE IT STEP BY STEP, EXPLORE
AND PLAY, AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO
HARNESS OTHER PEOPLE’S HARD WORK BY
PURCHASING TEMPLATES, ESPECIALLY WHILE
YOU’RE LEARNING.

I hope this overview of the essentials in

Canva will empower you to harness this
incredibly useful tool!
 GETTING
STARTED

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 GETTING STARTED

MAKE A FREE CANVA ACCOUNT

It is easy and FREE to make a Canva

account!

Just head to www.canva.com and

choose the “sign up” button in the
top right corner.

Choose your sign up method and

complete the simple process.

Now you have access to this

incredibly powerful yet user friendly
design tool.

You can do a lot with a free

account! To learn more about the
difference between Free and Pro
accounts, head to page 42 of this
guide.

Now let’s get familiar with the

interface!
 GETTING STARTED

THE LANDING PAGE

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1

First, you'll be greeted by a user-friendly workspace consisting of a

toolbar, canvas area, and a sidebar.

1. The tool bar is the easiest way to search for a template! This is also
where you can easily search projects you have already created.
2. Below you will see the canvas area. This is where there are
categories of templates laid out for easy access. Once you have
begun creating your own projects, you will also see your most
recent work below.
3. The custom size button makes it a breeze to create a design that is
the exact specifications you are needing. Whether is a simple letter
size or a big poster, just enter the dimensions and it will create a
blank document ready for you! There are also pre-determined sizes
available.
4. To the left you will see the side bar. You can access your designs,
templates, pro-account if you join, and any "folders" you create.
These folders are a great way to keep your designs organized by
category. If the side bar feels overwhelming or distracting, simply
hit the three lines in the top left corner to minimize it!
 GETTING STARTED

LOADING A TEMPLATE YOU’VE PURCHASED

Make sure you are logged in to
Canva.

Open the link provided with your

template purchase.

A screen previewing the template will

display (as per image on the right).

Click 'use template'.

The template will open in Canva,

ready for you to edit.

You can make a copy of the template

to preserve the original - once your
template is opened, just head up to
"File" at the top left and choose "Make
a copy" from the menu.

Now the template is yours to do as

you wish with! You can change
colours, fonts, add or remove text,
images, pages and more.

NOTE:
When ever you see the crown icon as above,
for example on fonts, elements, graphics etc, it
denotes something only available to Pro users.
EDITING
BASICS

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 EDITING BASICS

THE PROJECT WORKSPACE

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1.Zoom- This slider at the bottom right of the screen will help you simply
zoom in and out. This will ensure that you get a close up view of your design
as well as a full page to see your overall design. There is also a slider right
above that allows you to slide the page left to right.

2.Grid View- The small arrow in the bottom center or four square icon in the
bottom right allows you to navigate multipage designs quickly. Simply click
the icon then select the page you want to work on and it will take you
straight there! And if you are wanting to see your design full screen, the
double arrow icon to the right will do so.

3.Side Bar- This side bar is possibly the most essential tool in Canva. It is
where you add elements, text, backgrounds, and even upload images of
your own. By clicking the icon of the action you wish to perform, it will take
you to that category. In each section you are able to easily search Canva's
library! To minimize the side bar to better see your design, simply click the
small arrow on the right. Then click the side bar to open it back up again.
 EDITING BASICS

Adding text to a design is simple! The text button in the side bar makes it
easy to add a text box, heading, subheading, and body text. Just select a
text option (or text box) and type away! Once you have your text written out,
use the tool bar at the top of the page to select a font, size, and color. Add
multiple text boxes for different font styles to create a look you love. They
also offer a variety of text designs that are pre-made!

text essentials
FONT SELECTION

FONT SIZE

FONT COLOUR

FONT STYLE
toggle text case

FONT ALIGNMENT

list setting (dot points, numbers or none)

adjust the space between letters and lines

special effects like curved text and text shadows

 EDITING BASICS

WORKING WITH TEXT

One of the most critical elements in any design is text. You're not just tossing
words onto a canvas; you're incorporating them as vital components of your
overall aesthetic. In Canva, you have the creative flexibility to make your text
shout, whisper, or carry on a casual conversation. This section guides you through
the ins and outs of text manipulation in Canva, from the basics of adding and
formatting text to more advanced styling techniques.

ADDING TEXT
Starting with text in Canva is as straightforward as clicking the "Text" tab on the
sidebar. Or simply hit the "T" key.

FONT SELECTION
Fonts carry personality; they can be formal, casual, playful, or severe. Canva offers
a wide range of fonts under the "Font" dropdown when you've selected your text. If
you've got particular brand fonts, you can also upload those. Experiment until you
find the font that nails your message.

TEXT ALIGNMENT
You're not just stuck slapping your text in the center of your design. Use the text
alignment options to shift your text to the left, center, or right of its text box. This
seemingly minor adjustment can make a significant difference in how balanced
your final design looks and feels.

TEXT EFFECTS (BOLD, ITALIC, UNDERLINE)

Text effects are like the spice rack of your design kitchen. A little goes a long way.
The "Effects" button reveals several ways to emphasize your text, including
bolding, italicizing, and underlining. Use these sparingly to highlight key points or
create contrast.
LINE SPACING AND LETTER SPACING
Ever feel like your text is too squished or too stretched out? That's where line and
letter spacing comes in handy. Adjust the space between lines or individual letters
by selecting your text and using the "Spacing" option. Perfect for when you want
your text to breathe or snug up for a cozy feel.
 EDITING BASICS

COLOURS
Colours are more than just decorative elements; they breathe life into designs,
set the tone, and evoke emotions. Canva understands the power of colour,
providing users with an extensive palette and tools to ensure that your design
radiates exactly the vibe you envision. This guide will illuminate the process of
colour selection and application in Canva, from basic choices to advanced
combinations.
NAVIGATING CANVA'S COLOUR PALETTE:
To start, click on any design element (text, shape, background, etc.). A colour
circle icon will appear in the toolbar. Clicking on the icon will unveil Canva's
default colour palette. Here, you'll find a myriad of shades perfect for any
design.
CREATING CUSTOM COLOURS:
• Want a specific shade? No problem! Click on the '+' symbol in the colour menu.
You can now either use the colour picker to select a shade or input a hex code if
you have one. Once chosen, your custom colour is saved to the palette for
future designs.
USING COLOUR HARMONIES:
Canva often suggests complementary colours based on the ones you've
already chosen. These harmonious suggestions can aid in creating a visually
appealing design.
APPLYING GRADIENT EFFECTS:
Some elements in Canva support gradient colours. If available, you'll see the
gradient option next to solid colours. Select it and then choose two colours to
create a gradient
effect.
THE COLOUR WHEEL AND COMBINATIONS:
For those seeking advanced colour coordination, navigate to the 'colours' tab
on the left panel. Here, you'll find the colour wheel tool, which helps in selecting
analogous, complementary, or triadic colour schemes for a harmonious design.

APPLYING COLOURS TO MULTIPLE ELEMENTS:

If you wish to apply a colour to multiple elements simultaneously, simply select
all desired elements (by holding down the Shift key) and then choose a colour
from the palette.

USING BRAND COLOURS:

For those with Canva Pro accounts, you can set specific brand colours that
remain consistent across all your designs. This is immensely helpful for
businesses or individual brands wanting to maintain a consistent visual identity.
 EDITING BASICS
WORKING WITH PHOTOS
Uploading your own
It’s easy to upload your own images to
use in your Canva design.

Simply select “Uploads” in the left toolbar,

click on “upload media” and you’ll be able
to browse your computer (or phone!
Canva also has a very functional app)
and find your images to upload.

The images you upload will stay in this

uploads area to access any time, in any
design.
Click here to filter results,
for example to only show

Using stock images Free elements.

If you don’t have your own images, you

can select from Canva’s extensive stock
library. Simply select the “Elements” tab
and start a search for the type of photo
you’d like. Then you can click into the
photos area to see more.

Once you have a photo you like, simply

click on it to add it to your design, or drag
it over.

Remember, anything you see with the

crown icon is only available to Pro
members. You can filter to only see Free
results using the little hamburger menu to
the right of the search bar.
 EDITING BASICS
WORKING WITH PHOTOS
Frames and Grids

from this to this

Frames and grids enable to you
put stylish image placeholders in
your document and easily drag
and drop images into it.

The image will snap into the

frame.

You can easily replace the image

by simply dragging a different
image into the frame from the
Uploads or Elements sections.

Just hit the Elements tab

and scroll down until you
find the Frames or Grids
sections.
 EDITING BASICS
WORKING WITH PHOTOS
Transparency
Transparency affects opacity (how see through something is) and can
be applied to images, elements, text, and solid shapes.

ADJUSTING TRANSPARENCY
Click the item you would like to unlock.

A menu will appear in the top right of the screen.

Click the small, chess pattern icon.

A slider will appear, slide up and down for the desired effect.

transparency AT 100% transparency AT 30%

 THE
TOOLBARS

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TOOLBAR TYPES
TOOLBAR TYPES
TOOLBAR TYPES
EXTRAS ON THE TOOLBAR
SHAPE TOOLBAR
 Canva crash course
ELEMENT/GRAPHICS TOOLBAR
PHOTO TOOLBAR
Canva crash course
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
EDITOR TOOLBAR (LEFT SIDE)
 TIPS &
TRICKS

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TIDY UP FEATURE
CREATING DIMENSIONS
TRANSPARENT GRADIENT
TRANSPARENT GRADIENT
MAC KEYBOARD HACKS
FREE VS
PRO

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 FREE VS PRO

DO YOU REALLY NEED A CANVA PRO

ACCOUNT?
Canva is feature-rich, even with a Free account. You will soon get a feel
for whether a Pro account will be beneficial for you once you start to play
with the software. Here is an overview of the features and benefits of each
option.
free pro
 THANK YOU !
Thank you for choosing to explore my ebook and start on this digital
journey with me. Your support means the world to me! Stay tuned and
connected for more exciting releases and updates. Follow me on social
media for future releases and other items that I will be launching. I look
forward to continuing this journey together, empowering you with more
valuable insights and inspiration along the way.

SHI DIGITALS