Canva is a powerful graphic design tool that allows users to create stunning visuals for various purposes, from social media graphics to marketing materials. One of the essential features in Canva is the ability to change the colors of objects, such as shapes, text, and elements, to match your brand or design preferences. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned Canva user, this guide will walk you through the steps to change the colors of objects in Canva, helping you customize your designs with ease.
- Getting Started with Canva
Before you can change the colors of objects in Canva, you need to have a Canva account. If you don’t already have one, signing up is easy and free. Simply go to the Canva website, sign up using your email, Google, or Facebook account, and start exploring the various templates and design options available. Once you have an account, you can start a new design by selecting a template or creating a custom design based on your needs.
- Choosing an Object to Edit
Once you are in the Canva design editor, you can select an object to change its color. This could be a shape, text, icon, or any other element within your design. To add objects to your design:
- Shapes and Elements: Click on the “Elements” tab on the left-hand menu. Here, you can choose from various shapes, lines, and icons. Select the one you want to use, and it will appear on your canvas.
- Text: Click on the “Text” tab to add text to your design. You can choose from different text styles and fonts. Once you add text, you can type in your desired content.
- Photos and Graphics: If you want to use photos or graphics, click on the “Photos” or “Graphics” tab. You can search for specific images or browse through categories.
- Changing the Color of Shapes and Elements
To change the color of a shape or element in Canva, follow these steps:
- Select the Object: Click on the shape or element you want to edit. Once selected, you will see a toolbar appear above the canvas.
- Choose a New Color: In the toolbar, click on the color box that displays the current color of the selected object. A color panel will open, showing you various color options.
- Pick a Color: You can choose from default colors, use the color picker to select a custom color, or enter a specific color hex code if you have one in mind. Canva Pro users can also access their brand colors for consistent branding.
- Apply the Color: Once you’ve selected the color you want, click on it, and the object will change to the new color. You can adjust the color as many times as you like until you are satisfied with the result.
- Changing the Color of Text
Changing the color of text in Canva is just as simple as changing the color of shapes and elements. Here’s how to do it:
- Select the Text Box: Click on the text box containing the text you want to change. The text box will be highlighted, and the text editing toolbar will appear at the top.
- Choose a Text Color: Click on the “A” icon with a color box next to it in the toolbar. This icon represents the text color option.
- Select a Color: A color panel will appear, allowing you to choose from default colors, use the color picker, or enter a specific hex code. Just like with shapes, you can also access brand colors if you’re using Canva Pro.
- Apply the Color: After selecting the desired color, click on it to apply it to your text. The text will immediately change to the new color, and you can see how it looks within your design.
- Changing the Color of Photos and Graphics
While you can’t change the colors of photographs in Canva directly like you can with shapes or text, you can apply filters and adjust settings to alter the appearance of images. For graphics like icons and illustrations, you often have more color flexibility. Here’s how you can modify the color of photos and graphics:
- Apply Filters to Photos: Select the photo you want to edit. In the toolbar, click on the “Filter” option. Here, you can choose from various filters that change the overall color tone of the photo. You can also use the “Adjust” option to tweak settings like brightness, contrast, and saturation to create a different color effect.
- Edit Colors of Graphics: For editable graphics (like icons), select the graphic. If the graphic’s color can be changed, the color box will appear in the toolbar, just like with shapes and text. Click on the color box, choose your color, and apply it to change the appearance of the graphic.
- Using Canva Pro’s Brand Kit for Consistent Colors
One of the benefits of using Canva Pro is access to the Brand Kit feature, which allows you to save and apply brand colors consistently across all your designs. Here’s how you can use the Brand Kit:
- Set Up Your Brand Kit: In the Canva dashboard, go to the “Brand Kit” tab. Here, you can add your brand’s colors, logos, and fonts. This ensures that every design you create in Canva can easily align with your brand identity.
- Apply Brand Colors: When editing a design, your brand colors will appear in the color panel whenever you change the color of an object. Click on any of the saved brand colors to apply them directly, ensuring consistency and saving time.
- Saving and Exporting Your Design
After you’ve customized the colors in your design, it’s time to save and export it. Canva allows you to download your design in various formats, including PNG, JPEG, PDF, and more.
- Download Your Design: Click on the “Share” button at the top right corner of the editor. Then, click on “Download.” Choose your preferred file type and quality, then click “Download” again to save the design to your computer.
- Save to Canva Folder: If you want to keep your design for future editing, click on “File” in the top menu and then “Save to folder.” Choose the appropriate folder to organize your designs.
Conclusion
Changing the colors of objects in Canva is a simple yet powerful feature that allows you to customize your designs to fit your needs and preferences. Whether you’re creating marketing materials, social media graphics, or personal projects, mastering color customization can elevate your designs and make them stand out. With Canva Pro, you have access to even more tools and options for color management, making it easier to maintain consistency across all your visual content. So go ahead, experiment with different colors, and unleash your creativity with Canva!
