How to Create and Share Canva Templates
Creating a template on Canva is a straightforward process, perfect for anyone looking to streamline their design workflow. Whether you’re designing for yourself, sharing with a team, or creating templates to sell, Canva makes it easy. Once you’ve completed your template, you can download it or generate a shareable link for others to use.
Using a template offers a major advantage: it removes the intimidating blank white page, giving you a head start on your design. In this article, we’ll walk you through:
- How to create a template on Canva
- How to generate a shareable link
- The difference between templates and original designs
- The benefits of using and sharing templates
- Accessing Canva templates on desktop and mobile
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
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How to Create a Template on Canva
Step 1 — Log in to Your Canva Account
First, head over to Canva. If you don’t already have an account, click ‘Sign up’ and follow the instructions. You can sign up using your Google account, Facebook, or email, and it’s completely free!
If you already have an account, just click ‘Log in’ and enter your credentials. For regular Canva users, saving your login info for quick access can save time.
Step 2 — Select a Design Format or Background
Once logged in, you’ll land on Canva’s homepage. In the top-right corner, click ‘Create a design.’ A dropdown will appear with various design formats:
- Presentation
- Instagram Post
- Flyer
- Poster
- Resume
- Logo
- And more!
These are just the standard formats, but you can also create a custom size. To do that, click on ‘Custom size’ and input your desired dimensions (in pixels, inches, millimeters, or centimeters).
Once you hit ‘Create,’ a blank template in your specified size will appear. Now, give your template a name and get started with your design!
Step 3 — Add a Frame or Border to Your Template
A border can enhance your design by providing structure and dimension. Look to the toolbar on the left side of your screen. Under the ‘Templates’ tab, type ‘border’ into the search bar, and various options will appear.
Keep in mind that some designs are exclusive to Canva Pro users and are marked with a crown icon.
Choose a border that fits your style, and it will automatically apply to your template. If you don’t have Canva Pro, don’t worry—there are still plenty of free border options to choose from.
Step 4 — Insert Text and Customize Font Styles
In the left-hand toolbar, click the ‘Text’ tab. You’ll find options to add a heading, subheading, or body text. Canva also offers a wide range of fonts, colors, and text animations to make your template truly unique.
Once you add a text box to your template, customize it by adjusting the font style, size, and color. Use the toolbar above your design to make changes such as:
- Font style and size
- Bold, italics, and underline
- Text alignment
- Line spacing
- Text effects like shadows or glows
With Canva’s text tools, you can create anything from sleek, professional designs to vibrant, quirky templates.
Step 5 — Add More Pages (Optional)
If your project requires multiple pages, you can easily add them. Directly below your current page, click ‘+ Add page.’
Canva allows you to duplicate pages or lock them if you want to prevent edits.
Step 6 — Download Your Design in Any Format
Once your template is complete, it’s time to download it. Click ‘Share’ in the top-right corner of the screen. Canva offers several formats to download your design, including:
- JPEG
- PNG (recommended for images)
- PDF (for printing)
- MP4 (for videos)
- GIF
Choose the format that best fits your needs and click ‘Download.’
Step 7 — Create a Shareable Template Link
Sharing your template with others is simple. Head to the ‘Share’ tab again and click ‘More.’
From there, you’ll have the option to generate a shareable link. Select ‘Template link’ to create a link that others can use to access your design as a template.
According to Canva, "Anyone with this link can use the design as a template. Sign-in is required, but you won’t know who has made copies."
Alternatively, you can choose a ‘View-only’ link if you want recipients to view the design without editing capabilities.
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Sharing a Template vs. an Original Design
Before sharing, it’s essential to understand the difference between an original design and a template.
Original Design: A unique, one-of-a-kind design. Sharing the link to an original allows others to see and use that specific piece, but not modify it.
Template: A customizable framework that users can modify to fit their needs. Templates can be shared and reused indefinitely, making them ideal for ongoing projects or multiple users.
Templates are more versatile and can be used over and over again, unlike an original design, which is a single, uneditable creation.
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Why You Should Create Shareable Canva Templates
There are several advantages to creating shareable Canva templates:
- Save Time: Templates eliminate the need to start from scratch every time you design something new.
- Consistency: Using a template ensures a consistent design across different projects or for multiple users.
- Ease of Use: Templates allow even beginners to create professional-looking designs by simply filling in pre-made spaces.
- Increased Productivity: Teams can use the same template to stay on the same page, improving organization and workflow.
Canva offers free templates, but if you want more customization options or premium designs, Canva Pro has even more to offer. However, many users prefer to create custom templates to better match their branding or design preferences.
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How to Share Canva Templates on Desktop and Mobile
Sharing templates is easy, whether you’re on a desktop or mobile device.
On Desktop:
- Finish your design.
- Click the ‘Share’ tab in the top-right corner.
- Select whether only added people or anyone with the link can access the design.
- Choose the permission level (view, comment, or edit).
- Copy the link and share it with your intended recipients.
On Mobile:
- Open your design from the home screen.
- Tap the share icon (an arrow pointing out of a box).
- Choose whether you want to invite people, get a view-only link, or create a template link.
- Copy the link and share it as needed.
Conclusion
Creating shareable Canva templates is not only easy but also incredibly efficient. By designing templates that others can reuse, you save time, ensure consistency, and enhance productivity. With just a few steps, you can generate a link that makes it simple for others to access, edit, and enjoy your design.
Whether you’re designing for personal use, team collaboration, or to sell templates, Canva’s user-friendly interface makes it a breeze. Just remember to take advantage of the various sharing options, from template links to view-only permissions.
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1. How do I create a template on Canva?
Answer: To create a template, log in to your Canva account, click on "Create a design," and select a design format. Customize your template by adding elements such as text, borders, and images. Once done, save or download your design for future use.
2. Can I customize my Canva template?
Answer: Yes! Canva allows you to customize every aspect of your template, including fonts, colors, images, and layouts. This makes it easy to create personalized designs that suit your needs or branding.
3. How do I share a Canva template with others?
Answer: To share a template, click on the "Share" button, then select "Template link." Copy and send the generated link, allowing others to use your design as a template. They will be able to edit the template without altering your original design.
4. What’s the difference between an original design and a template in Canva?
Answer: An original design is a unique, uneditable creation shared for viewing, while a template is a reusable design that others can customize to fit their needs. Templates are ideal for repeated projects or team collaboration.
5. Can I share Canva templates on mobile?
Answer: Yes! You can easily share Canva templates from your mobile device by opening the design, tapping the share icon, and selecting a shareable link option. You can choose whether others can view or edit the template.
6. How do I download my Canva design?
Answer: Once your design is complete, click "Share" in the top-right corner and choose "Download." Select your desired format (JPEG, PNG, PDF, etc.) and download your template.
7. Can I collaborate with others on a Canva template?
Answer: Yes, Canva allows for real-time collaboration. You can invite others to edit or view your design by sharing a link with specific permissions, enabling seamless teamwork on projects.
8. What are the benefits of using templates in Canva?
Answer: Templates save time, ensure consistency across designs, and are easy to use even for beginners. They allow teams to streamline their workflow and maintain a unified visual style.
9. Can I create custom-size templates in Canva?
Answer: Yes, Canva allows you to create custom-sized templates. Simply select "Custom size" when creating a new design and input your preferred dimensions.
10. Is Canva free to use for creating templates?
Answer: Canva offers a free version with plenty of tools and templates. However, Canva Pro, which costs $12.99 per month, unlocks additional features like premium templates, brand kits, and more design options for customization.