Canva is one of the most popular design tools for business owners, entrepreneurs, and content creators. Whether you’re using the free, Pro, or Teams version, there are plenty of ways to make Canva work smarter for you.
In this episode, I’ll share five simple yet powerful Canva tips to help you create professional designs more efficiently. These tricks will save you time, keep your designs organised, and make sure your branding stays consistent—without needing any advanced design skills!
Why Canva is a Must-Have Tool for Business Owners
If you’re running an online business, chances are you’ve used Canva at some point. It’s my go-to design platform for everything from social media graphics and email banners to presentations and marketing materials.
One of the biggest advantages of Canva is its ease of use. Unlike complex design software, Canva is built for business owners who want professional-looking designs without spending hours learning complicated tools.
And the best part? Many of its most useful features are available on the free plan!
Why Canva is a Must-Have Tool for Business Owners
If you’re running an online business, chances are you’ve used Canva at some point. It’s my go-to design platform for everything from social media graphics and email banners to presentations and marketing materials.
One of the biggest advantages of Canva is its ease of use. Unlike complex design software, Canva is built for business owners who want professional-looking designs without spending hours learning complicated tools.
And the best part? Many of its most useful features are available on the free plan!
5 Time-Saving Canva Tips You Need to Try
1. Align Elements Perfectly for a Professional Look
A well-designed graphic instantly elevates your brand, and one of the simplest ways to achieve that polished look is by ensuring everything is aligned.
Instead of dragging elements and hoping they look even, use Canva’s built-in alignment tools:
- Select multiple elements and use the Position button to align them perfectly.
- Use Gridlines and Rulers (found under “View settings”) to help position elements precisely.
- The Snap-to-Grid feature automatically helps keep everything neat and aligned.
This small step makes a huge difference in making your designs look clean and professional.
2. Keep Your Canva Files Organised
Ever spent way too long searching for an old design you know you made? Canva’s Folders feature is a game-changer.
Here’s how to stay organised:
- Create folders for different types of content (social media posts, client projects, lead magnets, etc.).
- Use Starred Designs to quickly find your most-used templates.
- Name your designs clearly (e.g., “Instagram Quote Template – March 2024”) so you can find them easily.
If you use Canva regularly, setting up an organised folder system will save you a lot of time in the long run.
3. Use Smart Search for On-Brand Stock Photos
Finding the perfect image can take ages, but there’s a simple trick to speed things up!
Instead of scrolling endlessly through Canva’s stock library, try using specific search filters:
- Add keywords that match your brand colours (e.g., “neutral workspace” or “pastel flat lay”).
- Use Style Filters to refine the results (e.g., minimal, modern, bold).
- Click “Apply Brand Colors” (available for Pro users) to instantly match stock images with your brand.
This makes it much easier to create cohesive, professional-looking content.
4. Name Your Files for Easy Batch Content Creation
Batch-creating content is one of the best ways to stay consistent with your social media and marketing. Canva makes this process even smoother if you name your files before downloading them.
For example, instead of “Untitled Design (57),” rename your project to something like:
- “Instagram Carousels – March 2024”
- “Client Welcome Pack – Editable”
- “Lead Magnet Cover – Canva Templates”
When you download them, they’ll already have the right names, saving you the hassle of renaming them manually!
5. Create a DIY Brand Kit (Even Without Canva Pro!)
Canva Pro users have access to a Brand Kit where they can save fonts, colours, and logos. But if you’re on the free plan, there’s a great workaround!
Here’s how to DIY your own brand kit:
- Create a Canva document with all your brand colours, fonts, and logos.
- Copy and paste elements from this file whenever you start a new design.
- Save templates for your common designs (e.g., social media posts, presentations, email graphics) to keep everything consistent.
This way, you can maintain a strong, cohesive brand identity—even on the free Canva plan!
Save Time and Make Canva Work for You
Canva is a fantastic tool, but knowing a few extra tricks can make a big difference in how much time you spend designing. By using these five time-saving tips, you’ll create high-quality content faster and more efficiently, without getting lost in the design process.
Want to dive deeper into Canva? Inside the This Mum Loves Tech membership, you’ll find step-by-step masterclasses covering everything from Canva basics to advanced design techniques. Plus, with three live Q&A calls every month, you’ll always have expert support when you need it!
👉 Find out more here: This Mum Loves Tech Membership
