How to Create a Professional Banner in Canva

I am Karya the Crow. I’ve flown over many offices and watched the best designers work. I’m going to show you exactly which buttons to click to make a banner so good it looks like a professional human made it—but I'll explain it simply enough that even a fledgling can follow along!

1. Picking Your "Nest" Size (The Canvas)

Before you grab your shiny elements, you must set the size. If the size is wrong, the banner won’t fit!

• What to click: On the Canva home page, click the "Create a design" button (top right).

• The Detail: Don't just pick "Banner." Click "Custom size" at the bottom of that menu.

• Pro Tip: For a website, type in 1920 for Width and 1080 for Height. Make sure the drop-down says "px" (pixels).

Karya’s Tip: "Measure twice, fly once! If you start with the wrong size, your feathers will get ruffled later trying to fix it!"

2. Organizing Your Treasures (The Layout)

A pro banner isn't a pile of twigs; it’s a structured nest. We use the Rule of Thirds.

• What to click: Go to File > View settings > Show rulers and guides.

• The Detail: Click on the ruler at the side and drag your mouse to pull out a purple line. Put two lines vertically and two horizontally to make a grid.

• The Pro Move: Put your most important thing (like your face or your product) where the lines cross. This is your "Focal Point."

Karya’s Tip: "A crowded nest is a messy nest. Keep your 'White Space' (the empty parts) clear so your shiny objects can actually be seen!

3. Choosing Your "Squawks" (Professional Fonts)

If you use too many fonts, it sounds like a hundred crows shouting. We want a clear song.

• What to click: Click the "T" on your keyboard to make a text box appear.

• The Detail: Look at the top bar for the font name. Pick one thick font for the title (like League Spartan) and one skinny font for the details (like Montserrat).

• The Secret Button: Click the Spacing button (three lines with an arrow). Move the "Line Spacing" slider to $1.1$. It makes your text look "tight" and expensive.

Karya’s Tip: "Too many fonts sound like too many birds squawking at once. Stick to two so everyone can hear your message!"

4. Shiny Colors & Clear Pictures

You want your banner to pop from across the sky!

• What to click: Click "Elements" on the left to search for photos.

• The Detail: If your background photo makes your text hard to read, click the photo, then click "Edit image" and turn up the "Blur" just a little bit.

• The 60-30-10 Rule: Use your main color for 60% of the banner, a second color for 30%, and a super bright "Action" color for only 10%.

Karya’s Tip: "If the night sky is dark, the moon must be bright. Use high contrast so your words don't get lost in the shadows!"

5. The "Shiny Object" (The Call to Action)

Every banner needs a button that makes people want to peck at it!

• What to click: Go to Elements, search for "Button" or "Rounded Square." * The Detail: Place it in the bottom right or center. Put a word on it like "JOIN" or "BUY."

• Pro Polish: Click your text, then click "Effects" at the top. Choose "Lift." This makes the text look like it's floating off the button!

Karya’s Tip: "A banner without a button is like a bird without wings—it doesn't go anywhere! Give them something shiny to click."

6. Taking Flight (Exporting)

Now we have to get the design out of Canva and into the world.

• What to click: Click the "Share" button in the top right corner, then click "Download."

• The Detail: * For the internet: Select PNG. Move the "Size" slider to $2\times$ if you want it extra crisp.

  • For a real-life poster: Select PDF Print. Make sure you check the box that says "Flatten PDF"—this keeps your design from "breaking" at the printer.

Karya’s Tip: "Don't fly off with a blurry picture! Always download the high-quality version so you look like the leader of the flock."

The "Crow's Eye" Inspection

Check your work against this table before you finish: