Turn Canva shapes into image frames | Step-by-step tutorial

[@fernandquill]

If you're looking for the Etsy templates shown in this video, you can find them here 😊 Etsy Listing Templates: www.etsy.com/au/listing/1371671348/etsy-listing-templates-for-digital?ref=listings_manager_grid

[@carynrance2666]

Thanks, Michelle. I went to find a tutorial on how to do this earlier today and then I remembered that you'd done one. :-) I never would have thought that Word could help with this in a million years. LOL

[@fernandquill]

You're welcome Caryn. Lol, yep Word can surprise us! I reckon you'll be able to do it using Illustrator too if that's better for you.

[@carynrance2666]

@@fernandquill I was wondering about that, I'll try it next time. :-)

[@debbailey3434]

Great tips! Never knew you could do this to create frames.

[@fernandquill]

It's nifty, isn't it? Glad you found it helpful 😊

[@sorchahonorine6329]

OMG thank you so much. This was doing my head in. And in less than five minutes I had it down. I normally don't subscribe to anything but I can't go past this page. Thank you!!

[@fernandquill]

I'm so pleased you found it helpful! Thank you!

[@SwanFlakes]

Omg thank you. I just saved a ton of money paying someone else to do this for me!

[@fernandquill]

You're welcome, I'm glad to help 😊

[@sandieshim-roman5801]

Thank you Michelle for putting this together. 2024 I will be focusing on dream hustle to put together Digital Scrapbooks for busy households. My thoughts and this posting worked hand in hand can't believe it. I will be definetly be looking for more of your tutorial

[@fernandquill]

Oooh, yay! I'm glad you found it helpful and supporting your dream 😀 I've got more creative videos coming this year 💕

[@michellecoffin61]

Thank you so much, this is so helpful! Also you are a great presenter!!

[@fernandquill]

Aww, you've made my day, thank you so much 🥰

[@laurafox916]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This video was EXACTLY what I needed! :)

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome Laura ☺️

[@daifebles]

I tried and worked. This a game changer, I thought I had to learn another graphic design tool to be able to do this. Great Video ! I love your style too. Keep up the good work.

[@fernandquill]

Thanks so much Daiana, I'm glad you found it helpful 💗

[@maxspears6030]

I like your presentation style, Sis. Short and sweet info is much appreciated. #Subscribed

[@fernandquill]

Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback and support 😊

[@Art-ifishl_Intelligence]

Wonderful video and the clarity you are explaining everything with, subscribed :)

[@fernandquill]

Thank you so much, appreciate you!

[@SaamiahScoble]

Absolutely genius 🙂

[@primasa9574]

Ow wow.... Thank you for sharing this.... Really appreciate it! ❤

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome 💜

[@nrmrak]

The tutorial that i needed! Really helpful. Thank you!

[@fernandquill]

Wonderful, I'm so glad you found it helpful 😊

[@robbipellan7125]

this is insane!! thank you so, so much!

[@fernandquill]

You're so welcome, have fun!! 😄

[@TeeNMugCrafters6092]

Very clear instructions; thank you so much

[@fernandquill]

I'm glad it was helpful, thank you!

[@helengibson8196]

Great video, thank you so much. 🌷

[@fernandquill]

You're most welcome ☺️

[@IvonneGasca]

Amazing!! Thank you!!

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome 🤗

[@annawest5514]

Wonderful - really appreciate how you share your content and knowledge ◡̈

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome Anna, I'm glad you're finding my videos helpful. Thanks for your lovely comment 😊

[@shopstickeevinyl]

WHAT!! That’s so awesome! Thanks!

[@fernandquill]

Glad you like it! 😃

[@WOW35]

Thank you so much 💓. Well done 👏

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome! 💜

[@Geoffmetric]

Fantastic

[@sarahyilma581]

Thank you for sharing this!!!!

[@fernandquill]

You're most welcome Sarah 😊

[@lilianamunoz5601]

Gracias por este tutorial. Acabas de simplificar mi vida. Hacía lo mismo con un proceso mucho más largo y complicado. Gracias, gracias, gracias 😊

[@fernandquill]

De nada Liliana. Me alegro de que lo hayas encontrado útil 😊

[@abarnhart1679]

HI! This video was SO helpful, thank you so much! Is there a way to create a frame for letters in a particular font?

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome, I'm glad it was helpful. Yes, you can create a frame for letters. You just need to add a step into this tutorial. So, create your Canva canvas, add your letter in whichever text you like. Export it as an SVG, reupload it back into Canva (sometimes this doesn't work, you may need to repeat the process or try different canvas sizes), and then export as PDF and continue the steps from this tutorial from where you upload the PDF into Word. Good luck!

[@abarnhart1679]

Wow! That was a quick response, thank you so much, can't wait to try it :) @@fernandquill

[@joyfulartjournaling]

Thanks so much for this!! It's working for me.... almost! When I import the file back into Canva, my frames are always cut in half!? So when I go to delete the picture, it deletes only one half, then I have to delete the other. But even if I click "group", it still requires two different pictures to fill the frame. Any advice there?

[@fernandquill]

Hey! From your info it sounds like there are two different elements that you're turning into frames. Grouping the elements won't actually merge the element into one. What I'd do in that case is make them both the same colour, export them as a PNG with transparent background, then reupload to Canva. That should merge the two together, allowing you to complete the process. Try that and let me know how you go 😊

[@charissebradley2295]

Soo good, clear, user friendly and helpful. Thank you! I'm stumped and hoping you might advise me. As I am no expert, my verbiage may be inaccurate, so bear w me . I'm looking to create images, using Canva frames for drop in photos - FOR FACES ONLY. In other words, I would like to use several straight forward Easter (i.e. egg, chic, bunny, lamb...) images and drop in only the face w someone's face photograph. Any chance you would share a how to with me? I'll keep my fingers crossed for a response w detailed, "talk- to me- like - I'm - a 4 -year- old- instructions"! Please oh please!

[@fernandquill]

Hi Charisse! Thanks for your message here and on Etsy. I might create a quick video for you and send it through Etsy messages.

[@GypsiesandInk]

Great tutorial, and your templates are awesome, I will have to buy some from you. I have tried this before and was successful 1 time only. For some reason Word Doc doesn't ask if I want to convert my pdf and it doesn't display my frame template picture. Gives me an error message "cannot display image" Have you ever ran into this problem? My Word is up to date, I literally just renewed MS Office just to be able to create custom frames for artwork design options. It's frustrating that it isn't playing nice like yours lol

[@fernandquill]

Hiya! That's a bit frustrating. I feel like that's a Word issue rather than a file is. Can I double check first: are you opening your PDF as a new document, rather than inserting the picture? You probably are, I just wanted to check. Another way you can do this is by downloading your image from Canva as an SVG file (only available on a Canva Pro account) then inserting the SVG image into Word - or perhaps do the same process using Powerpoint or Publisher if Word won't behave. If you don't have a Canva Pro account, then download the image as a PNG with transparent background, then use an online converter to convert the PNG into an SVG, then do the process I mention above. It's a process... but it's the simplest way I know how. Let me know how you go 😊

[@GypsiesandInk]

@@fernandquill Thank you very much for the additional techniques, I will try the svg out I do have canva pro, Dont have powerpoint or publisher

[@vaidamurale3025]

Thank you very much! That's what I needed. Just a quick question - is it possible to make a custom frame with a boarder?

[@fernandquill]

Hiya! Yes it's definitely possible. If using Canva and Word for this process, you'll just create two different layers or shapes and only apply the frame to the front one. You'll have two elements, with the border being positioned at the back. Otherwise it'll be possible using other software like Photoshop or Illustrator.

[@whitneydronzek3993]

You make it so easy to understand - thank you!! Is there a way to make a custom shape frame for only part of the image? I would like to make a frame to showcase envelope liners while keeping the rest of the envelope as is. Do you have any videos that explain how to do this? Thank you!

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Whitney! Oh, yes I can help you do that. I'd love to create a video for you so I'll share a link with you when I'm done 😊

[@fernandquill]

Hi Whitney, I created a tutorial for you. You can check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6uyiYSqfLRrnpI Hope you find it helpful!

[@katehildreth2895]

Fantastic tutorial! Thank you!! For some reason when I bring my PDF file into Word, it's adding the photo around the shape not into the shape. Any suggestions? I followed your video step by step, even turning my SVG into a PDF file, but it's still not putting the fill image IN the design I'm trying to turn into a frame. Thank you again !

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Kate, thanks so much for your lovely words 💞 It's difficult to know how to fix that without seeing it. I *think* I know what you mean, it's happened to me. Perhaps double check that you haven't got an image in the background before exporting it. Otherwise, try using a different SVG converter just in case the one you're using isn't exporting with the right specifications. I'm sorry I'm not more help - one thing I can confidently say is that - using the files between Canva and Word can be unpredictable! I've been working on a video where I troubleshoot the common speedbumps with this process, but I haven't quite worked out why it sometimes works but not other times.

[@mania7927]

Fill option doesnt show after cliching on it in word. Trying to make a simple 9:16 frame because canva does not have it.

[@fernandquill]

Hey there, I find this problem when I try to create frames using Canva shapes as opposed to the elements. Are you creating you 9:16 frame from shapes by chance? If so try following this tutorial which has the workaround for vector images (like shapes) kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2GTpmuJg7B_edk Let me know how you go with that one. - Michelle

[@withlindamarie594]

Thank you for this excellent tutorial. I am trying to upload a mock up with three frames to an Etsy listing. I get the message that it won't upload because it has to be less than 10 MB. Is there a way to change the size of the mock up?

[@fernandquill]

Hey Linda! The mockups you're referring to, are they images for your Etsy listing itself, or are they the product? If its for your listing, I'd create a Canva board that is 2800px by 2000px. Add your mockup images to that template and save as a PNG or JPEG. They should be under size. If you mean you can't upload it as the product itself you can compress them into a ZIP folder and upload them there which should reduce the file size. Or you can upload them to Google Drive and share the link as your product (which you'll have to save in a PDF because you can't upload links to Etsy listings. Hopefully that answers your question but if I've misunderstood let me know 😊

[@withlindamarie594]

@@fernandquill Thank you so much Michelle! Right now I am just doing mock ups but will also have to upload the product images, so you have covered everything.

[@fernandquill]

@@withlindamarie594 wonderful, thanks for letting me know. Good luck 😊

[@karigippert8133]

I've found a Canva Frame that is backward from what I need. Is there a way to flip a frame within Canva? Thank you.

[@fernandquill]

Unfortunately, I don't believe you can flip it within Canva. A workaround may be to use the frame you found, add your photo, then save the design as a transparent PNG. Then reupload the PNG into Canva and flip the image. Not ideal, but hopefully will get you by!

[@karigippert8133]

Thank you so much. I will try thise@@fernandquill

[@JeremiahPaquetteVTARNG]

This works great for any graphic shape in Canva but it doesn't seem to work for the Shapes objects. I am trying to creat a frame that is a specific rectangle HxW. If you try this with a shape and not an object it does not work unfortunately.

[@fernandquill]

Yes that's correct. I've been meaning to create a whole new tutorial for this. Instead try this: Create your shape, download as jpeg, convert to SVG, upload SVG back into Canva (SVG will need to be under 200px on longest side) then continue the process in this tutorial. Hopefully you have some luck that way. Let me know how it goes.

[@captainterrific]

It's worse than that; he's dead Jim. In my experimentation and study, shapes work just fine going from external applications like Adobe illustrator or Photoshop into Canva for custom frames. Just as long as they're not rectangles. Yes, Binky, you read that right. The specific thing you want to do, unlike all the others, frequently doesn't seem to work. Probably means God hates you, which is the conclusion I came to when I encountered this problem because I wanted to do the same thing. Now, I haven't tested this specific technique, but this is DEFINITELY true in the four vector graphics apps I tried to make rectangular custom frames with. And you will note her example doesn't include rectangles.

[@AfsaaNasir]

Why isn't it working? Could you give a solution

[@laworth]

I tried to pull up the PDF in Word, but it told me the size was too big and couldn't finish uploading. Is there a work around this? Thank you!

[@fernandquill]

Yes, try again but with a smaller canvas size in Canva first, or with less pages. I'm not sure how large your artboard is in Canva, but that'll be your first step. Perhaps start with a custom size that's around 500x500 pixels and see if it helps.

[@mr.pinecone]

Wow!

[@fernandquill]

Thanks!

[@wyzski]

New subscriber here! Thank you for the tutorial. Can you share the link to your Etsy frame templates? I make products and these would save soooo much time uploading to my Etsy shop. Lol

[@fernandquill]

Thank you for subscribing, welcome to my little corner of the YT world 🤗 Sure thing, I'll pop the link below - they save me sooo much time too! Enjoy! Etsy Listing Templates: www.etsy.com/au/listing/1371671348/etsy-listing-templates-for-digital?ref=listings_manager_grid

[@Geoffmetric]

I seem to have a problem here spite of my excitement. I saved a canna blurb in pdf, tried to open it in word but is not possible as it asks if it is in Text Format etc etc. I tried to open it as a picture from file but then the word doc doest have the option of Shape Format. Rather I see Picture Format and I cannot do all those with Picture Format. Am I missing out something here? Thank you

[@fernandquill]

Hi there, thanks for reaching out. When you say a blurb, do you mean it's multiple paragraphs of text? Having lots of individual elements like that may not work with this process, plus if Word is picking up the text it changes the type of format. I hope you've found a workaround, if not it may be something that can only be done with Illustrator.

[@MrsMansir]

Will this work in a free program similar to Word?

[@fernandquill]

Hiya Christine, there's a few different programs it will work on depending on what you have and what you're comfortable using. There's a great tutorial from Bradley Teaches that shows you how to do the same thing with a few different free software. Have a look at it and see if it's what you need. Tutorial is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2GTpmuJg7B_edk

[@pearcedentalgroup]

how do you make frames ? Like squares and rectangles. I need a specific frame size.

[@fernandquill]

The process in this video works for elements but not shapes. So if you were to create a frame using a rectangle shape (Canva's shape) then this process won't work. Instead I create a page in Canva that is the right dimensions, but 200 pixels at its longest side (this is for importing at a later stage) add a background colour, save as PNG, convert to SVG, upload the SVG into Canva and then continue the steps in this video. It's a lot of back and forth, but we can do it at least

[@librakhan25]

Magical stuff, Please tell me how to save this custom frame in the canva frames list, thank you@@fernandquill

[@fernandquill]

Hey! You'll have to be a Canva Contributor before you can save it to Canva's official library. However, you can upload it to your own collection within Canva using the upload feature.@@librakhan25

[@librakhan25]

Thanks for your reply, i will try@@fernandquill

[@bellemileytaylor]

Hi, why i have no shape format in my Word, when i insert the pdf? thanks

[@fernandquill]

If that's happening, it means Word is not detecting the element as a shape and the shape menu/formatting option won't appear. There's a couple of things you can check to troubleshoot this; 1) Check that you're not flattening the PDF when you export it from Canva. 2) Double check your element is a vector. You can do this by seeing if you can change the colour of the element in Canva. If you don't get the colour changing element, then it probably isn't a vector. Let me know how you go after checking these two things.

[@Arkony_]

Thank you :)))

[@fernandquill]

You're very welcome 🙂

[@arkikali5632]

I can't get Canva to snap the real image into the frame. It's treating the frame like it's a full object sitting on top of the frame instead the frame being part of the whole. This is for a lifestyle-type image for listing images like you talk about. Any suggestions?

[@fernandquill]

Hmm, I'm not sure I understand without seeing it. I know it's hard to describe without images. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram and share some screenshots - hopefully I can help there.

[@arkikali5632]

@@fernandquill Thanks for getting back to me, Michelle! I ended up creating a curve / cutout in Affinity and then placing the "frame" in front of the background and once in Canva grouping the two. That got the screenshot to snap into the mockup and solved the issue. It's not perfect--ideally the framed object would be behind the mockup to cover up any oopses, but alas. Still, it looks a heck of a lot better than just putting the one on top of the other and trying to adjust it that way. Thanks again!

[@fernandquill]

@@arkikali5632 ok good, I'm so glad you found a solution.

[@nikkibooks7816]

What if when I open it in word instead of shape format it says picture format and won't let me fill it?

[@fernandquill]

Hey Nikki! There's a few possibilities - I'd first double check that you export it as PDF without flattening it. In Canva there's a tick box that asks if you want it flattened or not. Make sure it's unticked - you want it in layers. Secondly, you can also double check that the graphic you used is one that you can change the colour on. This ensures it's a vector you're working with (instead of a raster graphic). One other thing, I think if the graphic is too large, Word will struggle with it. So, double check the size of your file in Canva. Let me know how you go, hopefully there's a solve there.

[@elizabethbooks302]

I hope so I ordered A bubble alphabet off Etsy and I wanna turn it into frames. And it’s not working. I’ll try again. I did it with and without flattening to see if maybe that was the issue.

[@nikkibooks7816]

@@fernandquill So i did a couple things, I think i found the picture format because if I right click at the bottom it says format picture and gives me the option to fill it with an image, well when i select an image to fill it, it doesn't fill. so i'm just lost, i literally got a word subscription to do this. is there anyway you could help?

[@fernandquill]

@@nikkibooks7816 Do you want to email it to me and I'll have a look. [e-mail]

[@halusocial]

Hi. I tried doing this but every time the file goes to Canva, the fill was gone. I don't know why.

[@fernandquill]

Hmm, that sounds unusual. So, you're not seeing your file as a new design in Canva afterwards? This seems more like a glitch-type thing, or something's wrong with the file preventing it from uploading. Are you able to upload other PDFs to Canva ok?

[@barbra429]

No matter what I do, my frame will not fill, only the background is being filled instead of the image in Figma. Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong, I know it’s, my error, because I have viewed more than one video :(

[@fernandquill]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble. Unfortunately, I haven't used Figma before so I'm not sure how to help. Hopefully someone else can input 🤞

[@barbra429]

@michellemarks I figured it out, thanks.

[@fernandquill]

@@barbra429 That's great! 😄

[@KatiPahan]

Anyone else having an issue after uploading back into canva and getting it to detach image?

[@fernandquill]

Are you using a rectangle by chance? This process may not work if you're using shapes as opposed to elements. Like if you're creating a rectangle, for example, it won't convert to a frame.

[@philh9227]

Hi Michelle. I've had a few try's at this without success, when I import to Canva, right clicking only gives me the options to Delete or Replace Background. Delete removes the image completely, and Replace Background shrinks the image down. On occasion I have seen the three dots which then gives Detach Image, but that then does the same as Replace. Have followed your instruction to the letter.

[@fernandquill]

Hi Phil, thanks for reaching out. I find this problem when I try to create frames using Canva shapes as opposed to the elements. Are you creating frames from shapes by chance? If that's the case then I'd recommend following this tutorial which has the workaround for vector images (like shapes) kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2GTpmuJg7B_edk Let me know how you go with that one. - Michelle

[@philh9227]

@@fernandquill Hi Michelle, thanks for getting back to me. Tried this out and it does work, but not quite what I need, probably going to be something that won't work. I'm trying to make a rectangle (that would be used for a bookmark) to use as a frame. I think this only works with vectors, so if I can find a way to make the rectangular vector shape then I may be OK Regards Phil

[@fernandquill]

@Phil H Yes, you're right. Perhaps try creating the rectangle in your preferred dimensions, save as PNG with transparent background, then use vectormagic.com to convert the shape to a vector image. This may be the missing step? Michelle

[@ember4940]

It is not working for me. I tried 3 times I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

[@fernandquill]

Hey! Are you using Canva "shapes" as opposed to elements or graphics? I find that it never works for me if I use Canva shapes like the rectangle or circle. If that's the case, you can export your shape as PNG, convert it to SVG and reupload it to Canva, then pick up from the steps in the video. It's a pain, but that's the only workaround I've found from this issue. Hope that's helpful

[@ember4940]

@@fernandquill Yes I am using a canva rectangle shape. I am trying to find the 2 x 3.5 frame, but it's not there. I am trying to make a print and cut template for that size business cards. Ok thank you so much!!! :)

[@fernandquill]

@@ember4940 ah ok. Hopefully that will fix it. Let me know how you go ☺️

[@ember4940]

@@fernandquill Ok will do :) Thank you!

[@ember4940]

@@fernandquill Hi :) Well it still did not work. I am probably doing something wrong.

[@nick231446]

you took a long time to get to the point

[@fernandquill]

Great feedback, thanks. I'm sure there are plenty of shorter videos for people who don't want a guided walkthrough!