Creating a Canva Calendar Made Simple
TL;DR:
- Search "Calendar" in Canva to browse their template collection
- Upload your own photos and adjust colours to match your style
- Use Canva's image library for extra visual elements
- Share your design link with others to collaborate in real-time
- Download as PDF for printing or share digitally online
Canva makes calendar design straightforward, even if you've never touched design software before. You can create something personal for your home, make gifts for family, or produce professional calendars for your business.
Starting Your Calendar Design
Open Canva and type 'Calendar' in the search bar. You'll see dozens of templates covering different styles and themes. Browse through them until you find one that fits your needs.
The templates range from minimal monthly layouts to colourful annual planners. Some focus on specific themes like fitness tracking, meal planning, or family schedules.
Customising Your Template
Once you've picked a template, here's how to make it yours:
Add your own photos: Click the upload button to add images from your device. These work well for family calendars or business branding.
Change colours and fonts: Use the colour picker to match your brand colours or personal preferences. Stick to 2-3 colours for a clean look.
Rearrange elements: Drag and drop text boxes, images, and other elements around the page. The grid lines help keep everything aligned.
Most people spend too much time tweaking tiny details. Focus on getting the main elements right first, then fine-tune later.
Adding Visual Elements
Canva's image library includes millions of photos, icons, and graphics. Search for seasonal images, business icons, or decorative elements that match your calendar's purpose.
For family calendars, consider adding small icons for birthdays, anniversaries, or school holidays. Business calendars might benefit from your company logo or industry-related graphics.
Keep images consistent in style. If you start with photography, stick with photos rather than mixing in illustrations.
Working with Others
Canva's collaboration features work well for group projects:
Share your design link with anyone who needs to contribute. They can edit directly or leave comments.
Use the comment feature to suggest specific changes without editing the design itself.
Set permissions to control whether others can edit or just view and comment.
This works particularly well for family calendars where different members want to add their own events and preferences.
Downloading and Sharing
When you're happy with your calendar, you have several options:
PDF download gives you a print-ready file for home printing or professional printing services.
PNG or JPG work better for sharing online or using in presentations.
Share link lets others view your calendar online without downloading anything.
For printing, check your page size matches your intended paper size. A4 is standard in the UK, but you might want something larger for wall calendars.
FAQs
Can I design a calendar from scratch on Canva?
Yes, start with a blank canvas and add your own grid, text, and images. This takes longer but gives you complete control over the layout.
What are some limitations of Canva's free version when designing calendars?
Free accounts have limited storage, fewer template options, and watermarks on some premium elements. You can't download transparent backgrounds without upgrading.
How do I add important dates to my Canva calendar?
Add text boxes for events, use different colours for different types of appointments, or add small icons to highlight special dates.
Does Canva print calendars?
Canva offers printing services in some regions, but you can also download your design and use local printing services or print at home.
Is it possible to design digital calendars for use online with Canva?
Absolutely. Save your calendar as PNG or JPG to use as wallpapers, or create a PDF to share via email or social media.
Jargon Buster
Template: A pre-made design layout you can customise rather than starting from scratch.
Drag-and-drop editor: Click on any element and move it around the page by dragging it to a new position.
Image library: Canva's collection of photos, icons, and graphics you can add to your designs.
Collaboration: Multiple people working on the same design, either editing together or leaving feedback.
Grid lines: Invisible lines that help align elements neatly on your page.
Wrap-up
Creating calendars in Canva beats struggling with complex design software or settling for generic store-bought options. The template library gives you a solid starting point, and the editing tools let you personalise everything to match your needs.
Start with a simple template, add your own touches gradually, and don't overthink the process. Your first calendar might not be perfect, but it'll be uniquely yours.
Ready to dive deeper into design techniques? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more hands-on tutorials and design guidance.