How to Use a Canva Template That’s Been Shared With You–A Step-by-Step Guide

Do you use Canva? Are you hooked like I am? If you’re here, you are curious about how to use a shared Canva template. Trust me, it’s easy-peasy! Canva is an amazing tool that lets you create beautiful graphics. You will look like a pro! Using a shared template can save you tons of time and effort. Use my step-by-step guide below to help you get started so you can save time or level up your creativity.

(Check out my Etsy listing with 100 social media prompts and 90 Social Media templates)

Step 1: Open the Template Link

First things first, you’ll need to click on the link to the Canva template that’s been shared with you. If you’re not already logged into your Canva account, you’ll be prompted to do so. If you don’t have an account, fear not. It’s easy to create a free (yes, completely FREE!) account. Once you’re logged in, the template will open up.

Step 2: Make a Copy of the Template

Before you start customizing, make a copy! When the template opens, you’ll see a preview of the design. Duplicate it so the original stays intact, and you can always go back to it if needed. To do this, just click on the “File” menu at the top left corner and select “Make a copy.” Use this copy to customize the template.

It’s really that simple. Now comes the fun part—customizing the template to fit your needs!

Step 3: Customize the Text

Start with the text. Click on any text box to edit it. You can change the font, size, color, and alignment using the options that appear at the top of the screen. Canva has SO many free fonts. (If the template you’re using has custom or Pro-level fonts, those will not be editable. The little crown next to a font in the sidebar indicates it’s a Pro font.

Experiment until you find the font(s) that match your style. Once you have your fonts, customize text and any placeholder text with your own content.

Step 4: Swap Out Images

If the template you’re using includes images you want to switch out, or placeholders for images, you can either use images from Canva’s library or upload your own. Click on the image you want to change, then click “Uploads” in the left-hand panel to upload your own photos/book covers. If you want to use one of Canva’s images, just click on it or drag and drop it into the placeholder or into position. It will automatically replace the old one. From there you can adjust the size, position, and crop to fit the design perfectly.

Step 5: Adjust Colors and Backgrounds

To make the template truly your own, adjust the colors to match your brand or personal preference. Click on any element you want to change, then use the color picker tool at the top to select a new color. If your template includes background colors or patterns, you can change these too by selecting the background and choosing a new color or pattern from the “Background” tab.

Step 6: Add Additional Elements

Want to add something not on the template? You can do that. Use Canva icons, shapes, lines, and illustrations under the “Elements” tab on the left. Click on or just drag and drop them onto your design. You can resize and/or reposition as needed. If you want to add your own images, use the Upload Files tab in the left panel.

Step 7: Save and Download Your Design

Once you’re happy and finished, save your design. If you’re ready, download it. Click on the “Download” button in the top right corner and select your file type ( PNG, JPEG, PDF+).

Best Practices for Using Shared Canva Templates

1. Stick to Your Brand: Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and tone of voice to maintain consistency. You can set up brand colors and fonts, as well. With all the options on Canva, it’s easy to go and go and go. Remember, less is often more!
2. Check for Copyright: Make sure you understand Canva’s usage policies. You can read more HERE.
3. Keep it Simple: Again, sometimes less is more! Avoid overcrowding your design with too much text or too many elements. A clean, simple design often looks more professional and is easier to read.
4. Proofread Everything: Double-check all the text for typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes. It’s easy to overlook small errors.
5. Save Multiple Versions: If you’re working on something complicated, consider saving multiple versions as you go. This will allow you to easily revert to a previous version if you need to.

To Wrap Up

Shared Canva templates are great! They can help you level up your design, and save precious time. Happy designing!

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Writing is an art that requires not only creativity and skill but also a great deal of perseverance and inspiration. Aspiring writers often look to the words of seasoned authors for motivation and guidance. I know I did…and still do seek inspirational quotes about all things writing related.

Well-known writers have shared profound insights into the writing process, offering encouragement, wisdom, and sometimes a touch of humor. In this blog post, I’ve curated a list of inspirational quotes from well-known authors that capture the essence of the writing journey.

If you’re a novice writer, let these quotes ignite your passion for writing. If you’re an experienced writer, let them remind you why you started this creative endeavor in the first place. Dive in and let the words inspire you to keep writing and telling your unique story.

Ernest Hemingway: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Carl Sagan: “Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time — proof that humans can work magic.”

Stephen King: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

Maya Angelou: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”J.K. Rowling: “The stories we love best do live in us forever.”

Anne Lamott: “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.”

Neil Gaiman: “The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision.”

George Orwell: “Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”

Ray Bradbury: “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”

Stephen King: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”​

Barbara Kingsolver: “Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”​​

Cory Doctorow: “Write even when the world is chaotic.”​

Margaret Atwood: “A word after a word after a word is power.”​

Isaac Asimov: “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers.”