How to Add Outline to Elements in Canva

Founder of CanvaTemplates.com & Professional Graphic Designer

September 26, 2023

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Canva is a popular graphic design platform that offers a wide range of tools and features to create stunning designs. Adding an outline to elements in Canva is an easy way to make them stand out and draw attention to important parts of your design. Whether you want to outline text, images, or shapes, Canva provides several options to customize the outline’s color, thickness, and style.

To add an outline to an element in Canva, users can choose from several methods, including using the Glow effect, adding a border, or using the Stroke effect. Each method has its own set of customization options, allowing users to create outlines that fit their design’s style and theme. In this article, we’ll explore each method and provide step-by-step instructions on how to add outlines to elements in Canva.

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Understanding Outlines in Canva

Outlines in Canva are a great way to add emphasis and make elements stand out in your design. An outline is a border that surrounds an element, such as text, shapes, or images. It can be used to create a variety of effects, from a subtle accent to a bold and eye-catching design.

To add an outline to an element in Canva, you first need to select the element you want to outline. Then, you can choose from a variety of outline styles, including solid, dashed, dotted, or double lines. You can also adjust the thickness and color of the outline to create the desired effect.

One of the great things about outlines in Canva is that they are fully customizable. You can adjust the size, color, and style of the outline to match your design and create the desired effect. Additionally, you can add multiple outlines to an element, allowing you to create complex and layered designs.

Overall, outlines are a versatile and powerful tool in Canva that can help you create stunning designs. Whether you want to add a subtle accent or create a bold and eye-catching effect, outlines are a great way to make your elements stand out.

How to Access Canva

Canva is an online graphic design tool that allows users to create stunning designs easily. To use Canva, users must first create an account. Here’s how to access Canva:

Creating a Canva Account

To create a Canva account, users can follow these steps:

Go to the Canva website at canva.com.
Click on the “Sign up” button in the top right corner of the page.
Enter your name, email address, and create a password.
Click on the “Sign up” button.

After creating an account, users will be prompted to choose their interests and the type of designs they want to create. Once this is done, users can start using Canva.

Navigating the Canva Dashboard

The Canva dashboard is the main hub where users can access their designs and create new ones. Here’s how to navigate the Canva dashboard:

After logging in, users will be taken to the Canva homepage.
From the homepage, users can access their designs by clicking on the “Your designs” button on the left-hand side of the screen.
To create a new design, users can click on the “Create a design” button in the top right corner of the screen.
From there, users can choose from a variety of design templates or create a custom design.

Canva also offers a variety of design tools, such as text, shapes, and images, that users can use to create their designs.

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Adding Outlines to Text Elements

Choosing a Text Element

Before adding an outline to text in Canva, the user must first choose a text element to work with. Canva offers a variety of text elements to choose from, including headings, subheadings, and body text. The user can also create a custom text element by selecting the “Text” option from the sidebar and typing in their desired text.

Adding an Outline to Text

Once the user has selected a text element, they can add an outline to it by following these simple steps:

Click on the text element to select it.
Click on the “Effects” button in the top right corner of the screen.
Select “Outline” from the list of effects.
Choose the desired outline color and thickness using the options provided.

The user can also adjust the opacity and blur of the outline to achieve the desired effect.

It is important to note that not all fonts will work well with outlines. It is recommended to choose a font that is thick and bold to ensure that the outline is visible and effective.

Overall, adding an outline to text elements in Canva is a quick and easy way to make text stand out in a design. By following these simple steps, the user can create a professional-looking design that is sure to catch the eye.

Adding Outlines to Graphic Elements

Selecting a Graphic Element

To add an outline to any graphic element in Canva, first, select the element by clicking on it. This will open the editing options for that element.

Canva has a variety of graphic elements to choose from, including shapes, lines, icons, and illustrations. Users can even upload their own images and graphics to use in their designs.

Applying an Outline to Graphics

After selecting a graphic element, the next step is to apply an outline. To do this, click on the “Effects” button located in the editing options. This will open a dropdown menu with various effects options.

From the effects menu, select “Outline.” This will open a new editing window where users can customize the outline for their graphic element.

Users can choose the color, thickness, and opacity of the outline. They can also adjust the distance between the outline and the graphic element itself.

Once the outline is customized to the user’s liking, they can click “Apply” to add it to the graphic element. The outline will now be visible in the design and can be further adjusted or removed if necessary.

Overall, adding outlines to graphic elements in Canva is a simple process that can enhance the visual appeal of any design. By selecting a graphic element and applying an outline, users can create a professional-looking design in just a few clicks.

Modifying Outlines in Canva

When it comes to modifying outlines in Canva, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Two of the most important factors to consider are the outline color and the thickness of the outline. Below, we’ll take a closer look at how to adjust these settings to get the perfect outline for your design.

Changing Outline Color

One of the easiest ways to modify an outline in Canva is to change the color. To do this, simply select the element you want to modify and then click on the “Outline” tab in the top menu. From there, you can choose from a variety of different colors to apply to the outline.

It’s worth noting that you can also use the “Custom” option to choose a specific color that isn’t available in the default palette. Simply click on “Custom” and then use the color picker to select the exact shade you want to use.

Adjusting Outline Thickness

Another important aspect of modifying outlines in Canva is adjusting the thickness. This can be especially useful if you want to make an element stand out more or if you want to create a more subtle effect.

To adjust the thickness of an outline, select the element you want to modify and then click on the “Outline” tab in the top menu. From there, you can use the slider to adjust the thickness to your liking. You can also choose from a few different preset thicknesses if you don’t want to use the slider.

It’s worth noting that you can also adjust the thickness of the outline on individual sides of an element. To do this, click on the “Advanced” tab and then use the sliders to adjust the thickness of each side individually.

Overall, modifying outlines in Canva is a simple and straightforward process. By adjusting the color and thickness of your outlines, you can create a wide range of effects and make your designs stand out in all the right ways.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Outline Not Visible

If the outline is not visible on an element in Canva, the first thing to check is the color of the outline. Sometimes, the outline color may be the same as the element’s color, making it difficult to see. To fix this, change the outline color to a contrasting color.

Another reason why the outline may not be visible is if the element’s opacity is set to 0. To check this, select the element and look at the opacity setting in the top toolbar. If it is set to 0, increase it to make the element visible.

Unable to Change Outline Color

If you are unable to change the outline color in Canva, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure that you have selected the element that you want to change the outline color for. Sometimes, users accidentally select the wrong element and end up changing the color of a different element.

Another reason why the outline color may not be changing is if there is a glitch in the platform. In this case, try refreshing the page or logging out and logging back in to see if the issue is resolved.

If the issue persists, it may be a problem with your browser. Clear your browser cache and cookies, and try again. If none of these solutions work, reach out to Canva’s customer support team for assistance.

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