How to Create and Use Free Canva Templates

Have you heard about Canva? Canva is a free, online app that has the ability to create nearly any type of digital file - social media, flyers, brochures, posters, documents. One of my best productivity hacks is using Canva as a template. (There is also a paid upgrade. I am currently using the free version).

By using templates. I don't have to constantly recreate the wheel. I can come up with a consistent look and feel for social media posts. Templates save a ridiculous amount of time and are also a great way to help reduce overwhelm and decision fatigue.

I always start by creating my blog graphic. Then I create my Pinterest graphics, Instagram graphics, and Facebook/LinkedIn graphics. I use the same graphic for Facebook and LinkedIn.

Introduction to Canva

Canva Home Page

Canva's home page displays free, pre-made templates that you have access to as well as the designs that you have recently created. You can also create your own templates.

Canva Workspace

Canva also has a workspace. The workspace consists of a background, photos, text, and elements (which are shapes, arrows, icons, etc).

Think of the workspace as a poster board where you arrange pictures from magazines, cut out letters and shapes. When you use a poster board, you can arrange things in front of or behind each other in different layers that overlap each other. Canva works the same way. You start with a background