A quick guide to editing your Canva templates
please read before you ask
How to start
Go to canva.com and log in with your credentials. If you don’t have an account, sign up for free.
On your computer, open the PDF file that you downloaded from Etsy.
On the first page you will find links to your Canva template. Just click on a link (or copy the link and paste it in your browser).
Basic customisation
Customise Text
Click on any text box in the template to edit the wording.
Change fonts by selecting the text, then choosing a different font from the top menu. Adjust size, colour, and spacing as needed.
Change Colours
To adjust colours, click on any design element (e.g., shapes, backgrounds, or text).
Click on the colour box at the top toolbar and choose a new colour, or input your brand’s hex code.
Replace Images
If the template includes photos, you can easily add your own without the need to cut, trim or add frames. In the left hand tool bar select “Elements” and scroll down to find “Photos” or type “Photos” into the search bar. Select an image and drag and drop it into the photo frame.
To re-adjust the photo double click on the frame and you will be able to move it around.
To upload your own photos, select the “Uploads” button on the left sidebar and then Upload media.
Edit Background
To change the background colour or image, click anywhere on the background. Use the colour palette or add a background photo from the left sidebar.
Add or Delete Elements
If you want to add new elements (shapes, icons, etc.), use the “Elements” tab on the left sidebar. Drag and drop them onto your design.
To delete any unnecessary elements, select them and hit the delete key or click the trash can icon.
Adding links
Click the element or highlight the text you want to add a link to.
Click on the “Link icon” from the toolbar above OR right click on element and find “Link” option.
Paste the link and click Enter.
Add hyperlinks that allow users to send an email /call directly from website. Use links:
mailto:youremailadress
tel:phonenumer
For example mailto:hello@emcodesign.com
Adding a QR Code
Want to add a QR code to the design? No problem, check out Canva’s detailed instructions
Save and download your design
Your design will be automatically saved on your Canva account, but if you want to
print it or send it through e-mail you will have to download it.
Once you’re happy with your design, click on the “Share” button in the top right corner and select “Download”.
Choose your desired file format (PNG, JPG, PDF, etc.), then click “Download” again.
(For printing at home, the best is PDF print or JPEG, if you're sending it to a printing service they should tell you what format they require, but it is usually PDF with crop and bleed marks).
You can download entire project or select pages that you need
saving an interactive PDF
saving a print ready PDF
Useful Tips
If you have trouble selecting element you want to change just click on a spot where it is and hold COMMAND on Mac / CTRL on PC and keep clicking until you move to a layer with element you want to select.
To change pictures use Uploads section from the panel on the left. Simply upload your media and then drag and drop them above picture that you wish to change.
You can adjust the size by dragging corners and if you want to crop picture use bars on the side. Hold SHIFT to keep proportions of picture or element.
You can change colors, fonts, elements simply by clicking on them and choosing options from bar on the top.
If you install Canva app you can download your edits directly onto your smartphone and share on your social media apps NOTE! some templates are too big to be edit in app and can be used only with computer/desktop.