Canva How-To Guide

Opening & Setting Up Canva

How to Open Your Canva Template Link

After purchasing from Rescue Tails Creative, you'll receive a unique Canva template link. Here's exactly what to do - even if you've never used Canva before.

  1. Check your email or order confirmation - Look for an email with your template link.
  2. Click the template link - This opens Canva in your browser with a preview of your template. Chrome or Edge work best on desktop.
  3. Click "Use template for free" - You'll see a blue button at the top right. Click it. This creates your own personal editable copy.

How to Create a Free Canva Account

  1. Go to canva.com - Open any web browser and navigate to canva.com.
  2. Click "Sign up" in the top right - Sign up with Google, Facebook, or your email address. Google is fastest - one click and you're in.


Editing, Styling & Organizing Text

How to Edit Text

All text is fully editable - pet names, descriptions, contact info, adoption details, and more.

  1. Double-click any text to edit it - A blinking cursor appears inside the text box.
  2. Select all and replace - Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or ⌘ + A (Mac) to select all text in the box, then start typing - your new text replaces it
    instantly.
  3. Click outside to finish - Click any blank area of the canvas to exit and confirm your edits.

How to Change Fonts

  1. Click the text box once to select it, or double-click and highlight specific words to change only part of the text.
  2. Click the font name in the top toolbar. It shows the current font (e.g. Montserrat). Click it to open the font browser.
  3. Search or browse for a free font. Avoid fonts with a crown 👑 icon - those are Pro only. Great free options: Lato, Raleway, Nunito, Merriweather, Playfair Display, Open Sans, Poppins.
  4. Click the font to apply it. Changes instantly. Canva previews fonts live before you commit.

How to Change Font Size

  1. Select the text - Click the text box once, or double-click and highlight specific words.
  2. Find the font size field in the toolbar. It's a number field next to the font name - showing something like 24 or 36.
  3. Change the size
    Click the number → type a new size → press Enter. Or click the – and + buttons to nudge it one point at a time.

How to Change Font Color

  1. Double-click the text box and highlight words to recolor. Or press Ctrl/⌘ + A to select all text in the box.
  2. Click the colored "A" swatch in the toolbar. It's the A with a colored underline in the top toolbar. Click it to open the color picker.
  3. Pick a color or enter your hex code. At the bottom of the color picker there's a # field. Type your brand's hex code (e.g. #111111) and press Enter.

How to Bold, Italicize & Style Text

  1. Double-click the text box and highlight words to style. You need to be in text editing mode with the words selected.
  2. In the top toolbar you'll see B (Bold), I (Italic), U (Underline). Click them or use shortcuts below.

Ctrl/⌘ + B — Bold
Ctrl/⌘ + I — Italic
Ctrl/⌘ + U — Underline

How to Adjust Spacing

  1. Select the text box. Click or double-click the text you want to adjust.
  2. Click the Spacing option in the toolbar. Look for the spacing icon (lines with arrows) or click the three-dot More menu in the toolbar.
  3. Adjust Line spacing and Letter spacing
    Line spacing: Default ~1.4. Try 1.2–1.6 for readability. Letter spacing: Adding 3–5 to uppercase headings looks polished.