If you have or want to start a blog, you need to learn how to use Canva. The tool is amazing for creating graphics and other visual elements to add to your written content.
I’ve used the program for years, and it’s super easy to use after you get used to it. Read on to learn how you can use Canva as a blogger.
But first, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.
Create Blog Graphics
The primary way I use Canva for my blog is to create blog graphics. Those are the images you see near the top of my blog posts and that you’ll see if you find me on Pinterest.
I like to create my own little template for each of my blogs, so I only need to alter the text for each one. That makes it quick and easy, so I just download the graphic and upload it into the given blog post.
After a post goes live, I can copy and paste the link into Pinterest, and it will share with the graphic. On other platforms, the graphic will also appear and make the link more intriguing to click.
Design a Logo
Another excellent way to use Canva for your blog is to create a logo. Sure, you can hire a logo designer, and that’s probably a good idea later on.
But if you’re just starting your blog, you can make something simple. I designed the logo that you see at the top of this page and in the tab next to the page title, and I used Canva for it.
If you use Astra as your blog theme, it’s really easy to add a logo or change it later. That way, you can make sure you have consistent branding across your site.
Prepare Social Media Posts
Before your blog starts taking of in search engines, you may want to promote it on social media. You can use Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and many other platforms.
Canva has different templates, or you can start from scratch. Choose the image size you want, and you can add a photo, video, or graphic elements from the Canva library.
Then, you’ll be able to download the final product and upload it to the right social platform. Alternatively, you can post directly to platforms like Instagram, so you can market yourself and save time.
Create a Digital Product
One of the best ways to monetize your blog is by creating and selling digital products. You can sell eBooks, workbooks, templates, printables, and other downloads.
Canva makes it easy to create a lot of these different things. Even if I don’t create the entire thing in Canva, I’ll at least use the program to design a cover for an eBook or template.
Then, I can combine it with the rest of the file, and I can use it as a preview image for my product listing. Since I use Easy Digital Downloads, the whole process of creating and making a sale is pretty simple (though not easy).
Edit Photos and Videos
Maybe you want to share some photos or videos on your blog or social accounts. Programs like Photoshop can be very overwhelming and expensive.
Canva lets you do basic photo and video editing, so you can polish your images for the internet. I’ve used it to brighten up images, which can make them look a lot better.
While I haven’t used it to edit videos, I have created a few Reels in the program. That can be a nice choice if you’re too lazy to film yourself but want to have something to post.
Save a Brand Kit
If you plan on doing a lot of work on design, you can create and save a brand kit. This includes your brand colors and fonts, so you don’t have to find them from scratch each time.
That can help you create new designs much faster. Of course, it’s not so helpful if you have multiple blogs with different brand kits, but it’s good for your main brand.
If you want to access this feature, you have to upgrade to Canva Pro. The upgrade also allows you to download images without their backgrounds, which is nice for your logo and other brand elements.
How to Use Canva for a Design Project
Now that you know what you can do with Canva, you may wonder how to use Canva to actually design something. The specific things you do will depend on your goals.
However, I usually follow a process similar to the following.
Start With a Template
In Canva, you can choose from a bunch of set image or project dimensions. They cover all of the main social platforms, such as Instagram and Pinterest, as well as blog graphics.
You can also create your own blank document and set custom measurements. If you don’t have any idea about the visuals, you can choose from the available templates for the pre-set document dimensions.
Then, you can experiment with the colors and fonts, so you can come up with something unique. I like to stick to the set project dimensions to get access to templates if I want them.
Add Some Text
Once you have a project going, you’ll want to add some text (or edit existing text if it’s a template). When I’m working on a graphic for my blog or Pinterest, I’ll include the blog title.
I might also include a call-to-action encouraging the reader to click, especially for Pinterest. At the bottom, I also like to include the given blog’s domain in case someone decides to steal the image.
If you’re designing an eBook cover or some other printable, you may add more text. I love how you can move things around, so you don’t have to stick with where the text is when you first add it.
Import Media
A lot of the time, I like to add a photo to the background. If you look at the graphic on this post, that’s what I did, and it’s a photo of my computer.
Canva has stock images that you can use, but I like to use my own when I can. I own all of the rights, and I can be pretty confident that I won’t use the same photo as every other blogger.
But sometimes, the stock images are useful, so you can search for those. Either way, you’ll need to get the media into your Canva account so that you can add it to the file.
Change the Branding
Another important part of using Canva is changing the branding to match your blog. I’ll edit the font and colors so that the final image will look cohesive with the rest of the content on my site.
Changing the branding is also useful if you want to design graphics for social media. You can make sure your posts stand out and that others know it’s your post when they see it without having to look at your user name.
Of course, if you create your own templates, you only have to change the branding once. Then, you can copy those templates over and over, knowing the fonts and colors will be correct.
Review Your Design
After you add everything into your design, you should take one last look at it. Make sure you like how everything looks together, and consider if you need to add, move, or remove anything.
I also like to check that all of the changes have saved. If not, the file may not download correctly, so you’ll need to download it again after the save.
Now, you can download the image or file to your computer, and you can export it as an image, PDF, or video. Alternatively, you can share certain document sizes to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.
Download From the App
Sometimes, I like to download the image or video to my phone. That way, I can upload it to Instagram Reels, Pinterest Idea Pins, or YouTube Shorts.
I’ll have done all of the design work on the desktop version since it’s hard to edit on a small screen. But when I’m ready to post the image, I can go to the Canva app and find the project and download it.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to use Canva is vital for bloggers who aren’t pro graphic designers. Canva is an excellent, affordable tool to help you design graphics and images for your blog and social accounts.
Be sure to give Canva a try to see how you like it. Then, you can make good visuals that help your blog stand out online.
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