How to Use a Canva Template: A Step-by-Step Guide

When your marketing team needs to move fast, Canva templates can save the day. They allow for flexibility and creativity without requiring a full design team, empowering anyone on your team to create polished, professional-looking designs in minutes. 

If you’re new to Canva or just want to make the most of its features, this guide will walk you through how to access, customize, and export your designs using Canva templates.

Step 1: Access the Template

Start by heading over to Canva.com and logging into your account. If you don’t have one yet, select “sign up” and follow the prompts. Once you're logged in, click on the link to the Canva template you want to use—whether it's from Canva's library or a custom template shared by another user. The template will open directly in your Canva workspace.

Step 2: Make a Usable Copy

Next, make your own version of the template by going to the "File" menu in the top-left corner and selecting “Make a copy.” This allows you to edit freely without changing the original. If you plan to re-use this template in the future, be sure to keep a saved version of the original template. When you’re ready to use it for a campaign, make another copy and name it for that specific project to keep things organized.

Step 3: Customize the Template

Here’s where you can start personalizing the design to match your needs.

Editing text:

Click on any text box to start editing. The toolbar at the top lets you adjust the font, size, color, and spacing. Make sure to stick to your brand guidelines for consistency.

Changing images:

To replace an image, click on it, then go to the "Elements" tab to find a new one, or upload your own using the "Uploads" tab. Simply drag the new image into place.

Adjusting colors:

Click on any element (text, shapes, or backgrounds) to change the color. You can use the color picker tool or enter a specific hex code to match your brand colors.

Resizing elements:

If you need to adjust the size of any element, click and drag the corners. Holding down “Shift” keeps the proportions intact.

Adding new elements:

If you want to add new text or graphics, use the “Text” and “Elements” tabs on the left. You can add headings, body text, icons, and shapes by dragging them into the design.

Arranging elements:

To adjust how elements are layered, right-click on an element and choose options like "Bring forward" or "Send backward." You can also use the “Position” button in the toolbar to align everything.

Step 4: Save and Export Your Design

Canva automatically saves your progress, but if you want to save it manually, click on "File" and select "Save." Once you’re happy enough with the design to export it, click “Share” in the top-right corner, then “Download.” Choose your file type (e.g., PNG, JPG, or PDF) and adjust any settings before downloading.

Step 5: Share or Collaborate

If you need to share the design with others directly in Canva, click “Share” and choose whether you want to give them view-only access or allow them to edit. If you’re working with a team, you can invite them to collaborate in real time by sharing the design with their email addresses.

So now you know how to do it. Ready to practice? We're offering free Canva templates to help you kick off your next project—you can download them here. And as always, if you need more personalized designs, we're here to help. Happy designing!