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Branding / Canva / Graphic Design

How to transform any Canva templates into unique graphics for a consistent brand look

One of the reasons I’ve heard people don’t use Canva templates is that they fear their graphics will end up looking like everyone else’s. 

Of course, that’s a valid concern to have. None of us want our businesses to get lost on the internet! That would really suck!

But there’s just no denying the amount of time you’ll save by using Canva templates.

So how exactly can you get the most out of using Canva templates while still making sure that your visuals stand out from the next business out there?

You apply your brand to every part of your template!

In this post I’m going to break down my customization process so you can easily create unique graphics for a consistent brand look…

How to transform any Canva templates into unique graphics for a consistent brand look

1. Write your copy beforehand

You may not realize it, but text plays a big role in the way a graphic turns out. If your copy is too long, too short or doesn’t flow for the reader to easily digest the information, then your graphic won’t serve its purpose of getting your message across. This is why writing your copy prior to customizing will make all the difference.

Having your copy ready beforehand will make it easier for you to decide on a template suitable for your needs. This means less changes to make on your part as you can simply pop the copy into the text boxes.

Your message is the very first step to creating unique graphics for your business, so be sure to keep it interesting and to the point, boosting your chances of people actually stopping to take a closer look!

2. Customize text with your brand font

Once you’ve added your copy into the designated text areas, you can then adjust the font styling with your brand fonts. Using your brand fonts will instantly change the look of the Canva template, getting you another step closer to creating unique graphics for your business!

Don’t be afraid to play around with the font weight, size, colour and case so you can emphasize words or phrases that you want to draw attention to.

If you have a combination of serif, sans-serif and script fonts in your branding, this would be a great way to make use of them too. Just be careful not to go overboard with the different fonts as it can quickly lead to a design that feels too busy, making it difficult for the reader to know where to focus.

Applying the font hierarchy of your brand correctly will ensure that you create graphics that guide the eye the way you want, giving you a better chance of delivering your message successfully.

3. Change all design elements with your colour palette

Changing the colours of the elements that make up a template will instantly change the look of the graphic, which is why it’s so important to customize them all.

One of the best tips I can give you when using Canva templates is to take note of the original shading applied to the template you want to customize.

How are the darker colours applied?

How is the accent colour being used?

Where are the lighter colours being applied in the graphic?

Replicating the use of colour shading with your own brand colours is a great way to ensure that you get a similar look to the original canva templates while still creating something unique for your business.

Be sure to keep a lookout for all the elements in the template so you don’t miss anything that needs to be changed with your brand colours. This includes backgrounds, text, buttons, patterns, lines, etc.

4. Add your own on-brand photos in the image placeholders

A clear giveaway that you are using a template, is if you don’t change out the images used in the original design. So be sure to replace the photos in the image placeholders with your own photos.

That being said, it’s important to remember that using off-brand stock photos for your graphics will compromise the integrity of your brand – no matter how brilliant the templates are!

Yet another reason why I love Canva so much – you get instant access to a library of stock photos that you can add to your templates to create unique, on-brand graphics for your business.

A handy tip to find on-brand stock photos inside the Canva library is to use your brand words as keywords when searching. You can also use adjectives that describe your brand vibe, the names of colours from your palette, or scenes your target audience would find appealing. Example, if your target audience is yoga instructors, you could search for “woman meditating at the beach”.

Be sure to stick to photos that compliment your brand instead of images that don’t fit with the rest of your aesthetics. This will ensure that you create a consistent, cohesive look with your visuals that’s unique to your biz.

5. Make use of on-brand stickers, animations, patterns or textures

Changing all of the above will ensure that the graphics you create are transformed into something completely new and different from the original Canva template you started off with.

But, to take your graphics to an entirely other level, you can add a few extra bits to make your visuals stand out from everyone else using the same template.

Here are a few ways you can do this:

  • Add an on-brand sticker to your graphic to infuse some more of your brand vibe into your final visuals. This is a quick and easy trick for a fun little touch to an otherwise generic looking graphic. If you have custom icons in your brand, this is the perfect place to make use of them in your visuals. Or, if you’d like to use something from the Canva template library, you could do that as well. There is a vast variety to choose from to fit any style, and you can also choose between animated or static stickers. Just be sure to customize them with your own colours to keep your graphics consistent and on-brand. 

  • Add some movement with animations. Canva animations is another simple way to turn a template into a unique graphic, and there are many different styles to choose from. Play around with the options available and make changes to the intensity and directions for a fun graphic to get your audience to stop their scroll and see what you have to say!
  • If your brand assets include a custom pattern or texture, why not add them into your graphics? A simple change like switching out a solid background for a textured one can make a huge difference in the look of your final design. And, repeating the use of these elements as much as possible will be another way for you to stand out from everyone else so your audience immediately recognizes your content in their feeds!

You will not go wrong by adding Canva templates to your business toolbox, as it will save you so much time when creating graphics for your content and offers. Eliminating the need to create graphics from scratch, especially when design is not your best skill, will make it easier for you to share more about your business so you can increase your chances of getting in front of the right people.

Keeping these 5 simple customization tips in mind when using Canva templates will really help you create unique, on-brand graphics for your business so you can maintain a consistent look online.

Of course, all of this becomes a thousand times easier (with a bigger chance of doing so successfully) when you have your brandboard in place!

Thankfully, if you need help putting your brandboard together, I’ve got you!

Simply hit the button below to take the 2 minute Dreamy Biz Brand Quiz and get a fully populated brandboard template which you can customize for your business right in Canva! The results will also give you a detailed report to help you understand the chosen assets so you make good design choices for your brand.

TAGS:businessbusiness brandingcanva templatescontent creationcontent planninggraphic design tips
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Hi, I’m Nihaad!

Hi, I’m Nihaad!

I help lady bosses attract their very own tribe online with polished, on-brand graphics that truly sets them apart from the rest – giving them the confidence to stand in front of their dream clients.

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Recent Posts

  • The types of Pinterest graphics you need to promote your biz and boost brand awareness
  • How to transform any Canva templates into unique graphics for a consistent brand look
  • How to keep the integrity of your brand when using Canva templates

It’s one thing to have a beautiful brand design. It’s one thing to have a beautiful brand design. It’s something else entirely to actually implement it so you can reap the benefits of a recognizable brand.

I’ve seen so many online business owners launch a stunning business brand, only to have them completely lose track of it because they’re disorganized or simply have no idea how to apply the brand to their visuals.

If you want to build a business that’s memorable so you can capture the eyes (and hearts) of your audience for a sold out launch, then you need to be consistent in the way you use your brand.

That being said, here are 5 small ways to intentionally implement your brand this week:

1️⃣Replace your old email newsletter header
2️⃣Update your Instagram Highlight covers
3️⃣Publish an Instagram post using a Canva template customized with your branding
4️⃣Create updated promo graphics for your core offer
5️⃣Update your Pinterest Profile cover

Need help to do this quick, quick? 

Click your way over to the link in my bio for Canva templates to create a consistent brand for your biz!
At the end of last year I received a message via m At the end of last year I received a message via my Etsy shop from someone who found my Canva templates on Pinterest.

The interesting bit? The screenshot she sent was of a template set that I updated more than 2 years ago!

What does that tell you?

Pinterest will bring traffic to your stuff, YEARS down the road!

It’s a great way to send people to your website so they can learn more about your business and all the incredible ways you can help them.

Pinterest is also a fantastic way to build awareness around your brand so that your audience becomes more familiar with your business.

And, what better way to do this than to establish a consistent brand with stunning visuals?

As it is with content sharing platforms, there are two ways to build brand awareness with your visuals:

1️⃣ THROUGH YOUR PROFILE

When someone lands on your profile, you want your brand visuals to draw their attention so they instantly become familiar with your business. This way, each time they see your content, they’ll immediately identify it as yours; which will make you top of mind.

2️⃣ THROUGH THE CONTENT BEING SHARED FROM YOUR PROFILE

Using a consistent aesthetic for your visuals when sharing content will allow for your audience to recognize your work while scrolling. This is a powerful way to build familiarity and connection, while also standing out from every other business they come in contact with online.

Wanna know which Pinterest graphics you should use for each of these so that you can build brand awareness with your visuals? 👆Swipe for the breakdown!
I’ve been lurking around in some Facebook groups I’ve been lurking around in some Facebook groups (in a non-stalker-like manner, please don’t be concerned 😅) trying to find reasons holding people back from making use of Canva templates in their businesses.
 
Want to know what popped up the most?
 
👉👉👉The fear that their graphics will end up looking like everyone else’s.
 
Of course, that’s a valid concern to have. None of us want our businesses to get lost on the internet!

So how exactly can you get the most out of using Canva templates while still making sure that your visuals stand out from the next business out there?

1️⃣ Write your copy beforehand
2️⃣ Customize text with your brand font
3️⃣ Change all design elements with your colour palette
4️⃣ Add your own on-brand photos in the image placeholders
5️⃣ Make use of on-brand stickers, animations, patterns or textures

Tap the link in my bio for the full blog post where I dive into each of these tips a bit more, or swipe for a quick breakdown.

Seriously, if you want your audience to stop feeling bored out of their minds… give them reason to go ‘what’s going on over here 👀’ by keeping these 5 simple customization tips in mind the next time you use Canva templates!
 
Thank me later, friend!

Speaking of Canva templates, remember I launched a brand new set of Pinterest templates in the shop designed to make your audience take a closer look at your sh*t!

Click your way over to the link in my bio ❤️
Last week I stumbled across a Reel made by a mom o Last week I stumbled across a Reel made by a mom of 7 where she gave her best piece of advice on how she gets it all done: “If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it now”
 
I’ve been trying to implement this in my day to day and it’s a freaking game changer!
 
😮‍💨 The dishes are not piling up in the kitchen sink…
 
😮‍💨 The kids' toys are not taking over the entire house…
 
😮‍💨 The laundry gets packed away instead of standing around until the next time we do the washing 😅😅😅
 
This got me thinking about our businesses...
 
What is a small task you can do right now, that your future self will thank you for?
 
👉👉👉 Here’s one: Take one piece of content, create 3 different Pinterest graphics for it and pin it to at least 2 relative boards in your profile.
 
Now I know what you’re thinking - “Designing Pinterest graphics will take longer than 5 minutes, Nihaad!”
 
Uhm… yeah it will! If you're not using Canva templates!!!
 
And, thankfully, I just dropped a new set of Pinterest templates in my shop for you to complete this 5 minute task yourself.

🎁🎁🎁 Don’t wanna buy templates right now? No prob, friend! You can totally grab some Pinterest templates from my free Canva library! 🎁🎁🎁

Click your way over to the link in my bio ❤️
Creating stunning visuals for online businesses is Creating stunning visuals for online businesses is kinda my JAM 😇

Staying true to a brand identity while creating stunning visuals to attract dream clients and customers is how I create MAGIC for your business 🧙

This is exactly why I felt so drawn to the email I received with the subject line “Can you help my business?”

Avery Smith is a Licensed Realtor who extends her services to corporate estate agencies looking to provide their clients with a premium level of client care. 

After going through my Dreamy Biz Brand Quiz, Avery realized she needed to uplevel the look and feel of her business to match the high level of service she provides. And, since her work tends to be more serious, she wanted to add a fun, personal touch to her visuals to intrigue her clients. Her overall aim was for her new brand and visuals to hold the attention of her clients with beautiful designs while maintaining the professionalism her field requires.

Communicating with Avery, I immediately related to her dedication to providing her clients with excellent results. Yet, through our email exchanges I got the sense that she’d lost a bit of the excitement she once had for her business while she was growing her client’s reputations. 

Understanding Avery’s desire to continue wowing her clients with outstanding service while simultaneously nurturing her own business, we created something that reignited her spark… I’m thrilled to share this stunning brand design project with you today!

Can you relate to Avery? Getting lost in growing your own business even as you’re doing the work you know in your heart you’re meant to be doing? 

I want to help you find your spark again.

Because even though design doesn’t fall into your zone of genius, it doesn't mean you can’t reap the amazing benefits of a beautiful business brand.

Let’s chat to find out exactly what you need to put your business back on the map - hit the link in my bio for the details

**Names and info of project changed per client’s request**
I know this will be a tough one to hear but there I know this will be a tough one to hear but there are areas in your business that you’re just not good at 😯

It’s ok though!

Honouring your life’s calling by doing the work that actually helps the people you want to serve with your offers? THAT should be your primary focus! Because THAT’S what will ensure that you grow your business while making an impact out there.

However, neglecting the areas of your business that you’re not the best at can be the reason you're stagnant.

Isn’t that ironic? Focusing your energy on your brilliance, the area that will actually allow your biz to thrive, could very well be the cause of your business not growing at all?

Does this sound like it might be happening to you: 

Getting lost in growing your own business even as you’re doing the work you know in your heart you’re meant to be doing? 

🔥I want to help you find your fire again.

Because even though design doesn’t fall into your zone of genius, it doesn't mean you can’t reap the amazing benefits of a beautiful business brand.

Let’s chat to find out exactly how we can make this happen for you!

Hit the link in my bio to tell me all about your biz baby ❤️

Bookings now open for 2023 🎉

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