How To Add a Border in Canva

Canva is a favorite design tool for bloggers and brand owners everywhere. It makes creating professional-looking photos and graphics super quick and easy. You’ll love that it’s user-friendly and has everything you need built in from stock images to fonts to audio clips. It can seriously do all the work to get your blog and social media branded and beautiful. 

With so many features, sometimes knowing how to do what you want isn’t as simple as you think (even with the stellar UX.) So, we like to share with followers helpful guides to using some of our fave Canva features like grouping and link adding. And, today, we’re talking about borders!

Borders on photos, elements, pages, and text can add a little flavor to your graphic depending on your brand vibe. However, getting those borders added isn’t as straightforward as it seems. So, here’s how you can add a border in Canva:

How To Add a Border in Canva

How to Add a Border to a Photo in Canva

Step One: Upload Your Photo 

First, upload the photo you want into your editor by clicking the cloud icon on the design search bar. In the pop up click Use in Design and Continue. Your photo will open in a new project window.

If you already have a document open, head to Uploads on the left-hand side of the screen, drag your photo in and click it to add. 

Step Two: Find Your Borders

To locate your border options, click Elements on the left-hand side of the screen. Then, search “borders” in the search bar. You’ll see lots of options populate! Select the one that fits your vision the best. 

Step Three: Adjust the Border to Fit

Change the border size to fit your photo and then change your border color to fit your aesthetic. We’ll note you can’t always change the border color depending on the element! 

If you want the most adjustment options, simply use a square shape from the Elements folder. You can remove the fill and change everything about the size, thickness, color, and design of your border. 

Step Four: Lock the Border

Once the border is right where you want it, click the lock icon on the upper right of the main toolbar. This will lock your border in place and allow you to adjust all the other design elements without worrying about your border placement. 

How to Add a Border Around Text in Canva

Step One: Add Text to Your Design 

In the left panel, click Text and add the desired type of heading or body text. Type what you want in the provided box. 

Step Two: Navigate to Effects

With the text added, locate the Effects button in between the spacing icon and the Animate button. Click it to see all the effects you can add to your text! 

P.S. Depending on your screen size, you may need to hit the ellipses icon to find the rest of the toolbar options. 

Step Three: Select Outline and Adjust

From here, click Outline. You’ll see a thickness adjustment option and a color adjustment option. Use the slide and color picker to get the perfect look!

How to Add a Border to a Frame in Canva

Step One: Select a Shape

In the left panel, go to Elements and then select Shapes for all your shape options. Or, you can search for a specific shape in the search bar. When you find what you want, select it and place it where you want on the design. 

Step Two: Find the Border Style Option

The shape likely won’t have a border when you select it, so click the Border Style icon on the top toolbar. The icon looks like three bars of various weights, and it’s between the color picker and the font selector. 

Step Three: Design Your Border

Use the slides to change the border weight and corner rounding. And, don’t forget to choose your style of border! You can have a traditional straight line or a dotted line option! Do what fits your brand vibe the best. 

How to Add a Page Border in Canva

Step One: Find Your Border Shapes

If you want to add a border around your whole page, head first to the Elements tab in the left panel. Then, navigate to Shapes. 

Step Two: Select a Shape and Adjust

Next, select the shape you want to use. A square or rectangle will work the best! If your shape doesn’t look like a border, and instead looks like a solid block of color, don’t worry. First, click the Border Style icon (the one that looks like three horizontal lines) and add weight to your border. 

Then, select the color picker, and choose the “no color” option. It’s to the right of the eye dropper and looks like a checkered pattern with a red line through it. This will make your shape the perfect border! 

Step Three: Make it the Right Color and Size

Now, make sure your border is the right color and size using the Border Style options. Then, make sure the border is perfectly placed around your page. That’s all!

See your designs come to life with the right border. 

Adding a border in Canva is a fantastic way to give your designs a polished and professional look. Whether you’re creating visuals for social media, blog posts, or presentations, borders can elevate your design game. Experiment with different border styles, weights, and colors, to find the perfect fit for your brand and design. 

Now, it’s time to get designing!!! Use this step-by-step guide to add borders to your photos, graphics, and even collages for a little added balance and flair. (Here’s more on how to create a canva collage for your gift guides and product recs.) Remember, good search engine optimization means adding at least 4 high-quality images with alt text to each blog post. Canva can help you do it! 

For more super helpful blog posts like this one, be sure to head on over to the InfluencerSEO blog. We’ve got all the need to know info for bloggers looking to grow their brand using social media, monetization strategies, SEO, and more. You won’t want to miss out on this awesome resource!