How To Create A Border On Canva

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When it comes to graphic design without Photoshop, Canva consistently proves itself to be a valuable tool.

If you're reading this, you've probably already begun to experience the many reasons why. But also, if you're reading this, you've probably found that some of the "little things" that you can easily do in something like Photoshop, etc. aren't immediately apparent in Canva.

I'm talking actions like outlining text in Canva, or creating thin lines. And in this case, you're wondering how to put a white border around a design.

The good news with this and the previously mentioned actions, there are workarounds. And, if what's provided here in this tutorial isn't exactly what you're looking for, let me know in the comments and I'll try and incorporate it.

With the following, I'll show you how to put a white border in three different instances—a square, a circle, and an "odd" shape like a heart.

First, one of the easiest ways to add a white border around a design is to use the transparent bordered square. Because of the fact that the Canva canvas is going to be some sort of square or rectangle, this might perhaps solve many of the issues most of you all are encountering.

How to put a white border around your Canva designs

1. Go to "Elements"

Scroll down until you see the "empty" circle and squares. Click the middle shape, which is a classic square.

2. Change the color to white

Once you click the the square, it will be inserted with the default color. All you need to do is click up in the color palette, and then select white.

3. Re-size the square to fit the canvas

Now all you need to do is re-size the square to a rectangle to to fit your canvas.

That's it! Here are some alternatives.

For a circle border, do the same, but this time select the empty circle.

Now, you might find that some shapes don't have an "out of the box" solution. Take this heart, for example.

The best way I've found to add a white border is to duplicate the shape or design, change the color of one of them to white and move that shape behind the other.

From there, you just need to re-size the white design so that it provides the outline thickness you desire.

Thoughts? Needs? Let me know if you're looking to outline other designs, and I'll try to help!

Are you on Canva Pro, or simply the free version? If Canva is in fact a tool you're loving, Canva Pro gives you even more reasons for such love, with the ability to magically resize designs, upload custom fonts, and so much more.

Or, just pay $5 or so for someone on Fiverr to create whatever it is you need for you. I've definitely swallowed my pride a few times and just hired a freelancer on Fiverr for quick turnaround, and often receiving something better than I could have done myself.