Custom Canva Gifts: Free Design Ideas to Create Your Own!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE CANVA GIFTS DESIGNS

First, download my Canva Gifts files from my free library – look for Design #778. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the PDF folder, you’ll find a file with links to my five flexible Canva designs you can use for this project: “Good Vibes,” “Have a Nice Day,” a wreath, “You Are Amazing,” and photo frames.

My “Good Vibes,” “Have a Nice Day,” and “You Are Amazing” designs are ready to use as is. I’ll show you how to quickly adjust my Wreath design for personalized gifts, and then show you how to add your own photos to my Photo Frames design!

There is also a PDF reference guide with links to 11 giftable items found in Canva’s “Print with Canva” product catalog. These links have my designs ready to go, so you can order your gifts in a matter of minutes!

TIP: If you’re not sure how to unzip the download file, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how. The process is similar for PNG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR GIFT’S DESIGN IN CANVA

1. To get started, open your computer’s browser and go to jennifermaker.com/canva.

NOTE: If you’re new to Canva, check out my Canva for Beginners tutorial.

2. Either sign in to your account or follow the prompts on the screen to sign up for a free account.

NOTE: Canva does offer paid subscriptions with more tools and elements, but I’ll show you how to do everything with the free account.

3. Open the Design Ideas PDF and click the template for the design you want to use.

NOTE: First, I’ll show you how to quickly adjust my Wreath design for personalized gifts!

4. Click “View Template,” then “Open in Editor” to open the design in a new canvas.

5. Click “File,” go down to “Settings,” and make sure “Show rulers and guides” has a check mark next to it.

6. With the new project canvas ready, click the filename field at the top and replace the current name with your own.

7. To add some text to personalize the wreath design, click the “Text” icon in the side panel, then click “Add a text box.”

8. Type your desired text in the box and make it larger if needed.

NOTE: I’ll type in “M” to turn this into a monogrammed “Maker” wreath.

9. To change your text’s typeface, select the text box, then click the font name field to open the Font menu in the side panel.

NOTE: It likely says “Canva Sans.”

10. Click on the icon with three horizontal lines and small circles to open the “Filter” menu, check the box next to “Free,” and click “Apply” to show only typefaces you can use without a paid account.

11. Click a typeface you like from the list to apply it to your text.

TIP: If there’s a down arrow beside the typeface, you can click to expand it and see other formatting options, too.

NOTE: I’ll choose the free Canva font “DM Serif Display.”

12. Use the text box’s corner Resize handles to make your text larger or smaller as needed, and the side handles to adjust the text’s position inside the box.

NOTE: I’ll adjust mine to font size 195.

13. Then click and drag the text box to move it into your desired position.

NOTE: I’ll use the guidelines to center my letter “M” in the middle of the design.

14. To change the color of your text, select the text box, then click the toolbar button with the letter “A” above a color box, then choose a new option from the menu.

NOTE: I’ll change mine to red.

15. Your design is ready to turn into a gift!

VARIATION: PHOTO FRAMES DESIGN

1. Follow Steps 1-6 of the “PREPARE YOUR GIFT’S DESIGN IN CANVA” section to open the Photo Frames design in Canva.

2. To add a photo to a photo frame, click on “Uploads” in the side panel, and then “Upload files.”

3. Select the photo you want to upload and click “Open.”

NOTE: I’ll use a picture of Butterscotch.

4. In the Uploads Panel, click and drag your photo over a frame with the landscape placeholder, and watch it fill in automatically.

TIP: If you accidentally click to add the photo to your canvas, you can click and drag it into the frame.

5. To change the size or position of your photo to focus on a different part inside the frame, double-click on the Frame to open the Edit panel.

6. In the preview window, use the handles to resize and rotate your photo as desired, then drag the photo into position.

7. When you are satisfied with your photo’s size and positioning, click “Apply changes.”

8. Repeat Steps 2-7 for the remaining photo frames.

NOTE: I’ll add photos of Hunter and Chloe, too.

9. Your design is ready to turn into a gift!

STEP 3: ADD YOUR DESIGN TO A CANVA PRODUCT

1. To add your design to a physical product you can give as a gift, click “Share” and “Print with Canva” to open Canva’s print-on-demand product catalog.

2. Browse the catalog to find a product you’d like to add your design to.

3. Or, if you have a gift idea in mind, enter a related keyword in the “Search print products” bar to narrow down your search.

NOTE: I’ll type in “note” to browse through some paper-based products.

4. When you find a product you like, click it to open your design in a new browser tab. Canva will automatically resize and position the design to fit the recommended print area for the product you’ve chosen.

NOTE: If you have pop-ups blocked on your browser, an “Allow new tabs from Canva” window will pop up on your screen. Follow the instructions to grant Canva permission to open new tabs to see the product you selected.

NOTE: I’ll select the “Note Cards” product.

5. Click on “File,” hover over “Settings,” and make sure “Show margins” has a check mark beside it.

NOTE: This adds dashed lines around Canva’s recommended design area on your product’s canvas.

6. If you’d like to resize the design, drag a box over all the elements to select them.

7. Then use the corner handles to make the design larger or smaller as desired. You can make your design larger than Canva’s recommended size (the area inside the dashed margin lines), but avoid stretching your design inside or beyond the “Danger Zone” or your designs will get cut off on the final product.

8. If you’d like to reposition your design, make sure all the elements are selected. Then drag the design where you want it on the canvas, but continue to avoid the “Danger Zone.”

9. Check the preview window to be sure your product looks the way you want it to, and make any final adjustments if needed.

STEP 4: CHOOSE YOUR SETTINGS AND ORDER YOUR GIFT

NOTECARDS

1. Before ordering your note card, make sure to adjust the settings for your product.

2. First set the options under “Select your pages to print.”

NOTE: My design is on Page 1, so I’ll set the “Front” to 1 and the “Back” to “None.

3. Then select your paper type.

NOTE: I’ll choose “Premium paper” for better quality and sturdier paper.

4. Choose an option under “Paper finish.”

NOTE: I’ll choose “Matte finish” for a slightly textured surface I can write on.

5. Choose the number of cards you want to print in the “How many?” dropdown box.

NOTE: I’ll choose 5.

6. If you’d like to include envelopes with your print, check the box beside “Include envelopes in my order.”

NOTE: The size of the notecards is included above the product preview image.

NOTE: I have my own envelopes, so I’ll leave this box unchecked.

7. Click “Continue.”

8. Fix any issues Canva flags for your design on the “Let’s get ready to print” screen.

NOTE: You aren’t required to make any of the suggested changes.

9. Click “Add to cart.”

10. Then click “Checkout.”

11. Fill in your details, choose your shipping method, and enter your payment information on the “Secure checkout” page.

12. Then click “Place order.”

NOTE: A confirmation window will pop up to let you know your order has been placed successfully.

13. When your note card arrives, open the box to see how it turned out!

NOTEBOOKS

1. Before ordering notebooks, make sure to adjust the “Print with Canva” settings for your product.

2. First, set the options under “Select your pages to print.”

NOTE: My design is on Page 1, so I’ll set the “Front cover” to “1” and the “Back cover” to “None.”

3. Then select your notebook’s size.

NOTE: I’ll choose “Small” for a 6.375” x 8.25” notebook.

4. Under “Inside pages,” choose which style you want for your pages.

NOTE: I’ll pick “College ruled” for plenty of lines to write on.

5. Then pick a “Cover type” for your notebook.

NOTE: I’ll pick “Softcover” for a lightweight notebook.

6. Choose the number of notebooks you want to print in the “How many?” dropdown box.

NOTE: I’ll choose 1.

7. Follow Steps 7-13 from the “NOTECARDS” section to order your gifts.

MOUSE PADS, CERAMIC MUGS, WATER BOTTLES, COASTERS, AND PINT GLASSES

1. Before ordering mouse pads, ceramic mugs, water bottles, coasters, or pint glasses, make sure to adjust the settings for your product.

2. First, set the options under “Select your pages to print.”

NOTE: My design is on Page 1, so I’ll make sure “1” is selected.

3. Choose the number of products you want to print in the “How many?” dropdown box.

NOTE: I’ll choose 1 for the mouse pad, ceramic mug, water bottle, and pint glass, and 4 for the coasters.

4. Follow Steps 7-13 from the “NOTECARDS” section to order your gifts.

TOTE BAGS AND WINE TUMBLERS

1. Before ordering tote bags or wine tumblers, make sure to adjust the settings for your product.

2. First, set the options under “Select your pages to print.”

NOTE: My design is on Page 1, so I’ll make sure “1” is selected.

3. Then select your product’s base color.

NOTE: I’ll choose cream for my tote bag.

4. Choose the number of products you want to print in the “How many?” dropdown box.

NOTE: I’ll choose 1 tote bag.

5. Follow Steps 7-13 from the “NOTECARDS” section to order your gifts.

T-SHIRTS AND HOODIES

1. Before ordering T-shirts or hoodies, make sure to adjust the settings for your product.

2. First, set the options under “Select your pages to print.”

NOTE: My design is on Page 1, so I’ll set the “Front” to 1 and the “Back” to “None.

3. Then select your product’s base color.

NOTE: I’ll select white for my T-shirt and black for my hoodie.

4. Choose the “Fit” to determine the cut of the clothing.

NOTE: I’ll choose “Women” for my T-shirt and “Adult” for my hoodie.

5. Then pick a sizing option under “What size?”

NOTE: I’ll pick “M” or “Medium” for both gifts.

6. Choose the number of products you want to print in the “How many?” dropdown box.

NOTE: I’ll choose 1 for both gifts.

7. Follow Steps 7-13 from the “NOTECARDS” section to order your gifts.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

You now have a really cool assortment of personalized gifts you’ve designed in a matter of minutes!