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Customize, Print & Share: Step-By-Step Tutorial to Unlocking Our Editable Canva Templates

You may not be a graphic designer, but you'd have everyone thinking you're one after this beginner-friendly Canva tutorial.

Our step-by-step guide unlocks the capabilities of your Pink Clementine Designs template — we’ll walk through the basics of editing a Canva template, preparing the file for print or digital use.

Not every topic may apply to your specific template, so feel free to skip to the relevant sections. If there’s something not covered here, check out our tutorial page for more editing and printing tips.

For the best user experience, access the web-based version of Canva on a desktop computer rather through the Canva app on a tablet or mobile phone.  

TOPICS:

Template Access

 

After completing your purchase, check your email for access to the template link(s). 

  • Sign up or sign in to Canva.
  • Once redirected to Canva, click USE TEMPLATE FOR NEW DESIGN to create a copy of the template in your Canva account. 
  • Tip: Save your download email and access the download link every time you want to generate a fresh, new copy. 

    Text Editing

    All text can be edited in our templates. Fields that require customization vary, so please review all copy carefully. Any existing text used in the template are placeholders, intended to be used as reference only.

    • Click on any text field and begin customizing.
    • Use the text editor for more formatting options, like changing the font, color, spacing, and formats.

    Image Upload

    You can upload your own images (ex: photo, logo) or use ones from Canva's vast library of assets.

    To add your own image:

    • Click UPLOADS.
    • Click UPLOAD FILES and locate the file from your device.
    • Once uploaded, click to place it onto the template. 
    • Tip: Always use high resolution images with a resolution of 300 dpi for print
    To add an image from Canva's library:
    • Click on ELEMENTS.
    • Use the search bar to find photos, graphics, shapes, charts, etc. Any element with the crown icon is considered a "Pro Element" and must be purchased separately or with a paid Canva account. 

    To edit an image:

    • To resize, drag any of the circles located on the corners.
    • To crop, adjust any of the rounded rectangles located on the sides.
    • To reposition, drag anywhere within the image.
    • To adjust the angle, rotate the curved arrows.
    • Click EDIT PHOTO to access more editing options. 

    Image Frames

    Many of our templates utilize "frames" so that photos can simply be dragged and dropped. The image will then automatically take on whatever shape the frame is in. 

    Like images, frames can be resized, cropped, and repositioned. The photo nestled within the frame can also be edited when double-clicked on. Areas of the photo that appears within the frame is solid, while areas that sit outside appears semi-transparent.

    Layers

    Sometimes a text or image may block access to another field. Examples include a photo covering your text; not being able to select an image or text located in the background; or another object blocking your image from “popping” into a frame.

    Using the layers panel is helpful in these situations.

    • Click POSITION → LAYER → ALL.
    • Locate the “blocked” layer and drag it upwards to the top, so that it’s clickable.
    • Once you’ve completed your changes, drag it back down to its original location.

      Lock/Unlock Layers:

      Certain layers are locked to prevent them from being unintentionally edited — such as background graphics. They are indicated with a lock icon.

      • To edit a locked layer, click on the lock icon to unlock it.
      • To relock the layer, click on the lock icon again.

      Graphics Color

      Many of the graphics in our templates are also customizable. To determine if something is editable, one way is to click on the image to see if the color swatches appear on the upper left.

      • Click on the individual color swatches to edit the colors by either using the slider or entering a hex code.

      Background Color

      • Click POSITION → LAYER → ALL.
      • Scroll to the very bottom to select the background layer.
      • Click on the color swatch to adjust.

      File Download Settings

      Once you’re done with customizing, take the time to review all text and images before preparing the file for download. The last thing you want is a typo! 

      • Click SHARE.
      • Select DOWNLOAD.
      • Select the relevant file type to save:
        • PNG or JPG is recommended for digital use, such in email, text, or social media.
        • PDF PRINT is recommended for printing.
        • Optional: Check FLATTEN PDF to help ensure the PDF is compatible across different devices, text and images are exported properly, and makes it harder for the file to be altered.
        • MP4 is recommended for sharing digital files with animation. This is only applicable to templates noted as animated on the product listing.
      • Select the page(s) you would like to export.
      • Click DOWNLOAD.

      File Sharing

      Share your file digitally as you normally would in email, text, or online.

      Print your file as you normally would. It is recommended that you print a test copy for review. Print quality and colors may be different from what is shown on your monitor due to screen and/or printer settings. Printed file may be affected by variations in printer calibrations, paper stock, and other factors.

      If there is a topic not covered in our tutorials, please contact us! 

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