How to Create Stunning Custom Overlays in Canva For Free!

So, you’ve been watching those slick online courses or YouTube videos with gorgeous overlays and thought “Wow, I wish I could do that but I’m not a professional video editor.” Well, guess what? You don’t need to hire a pro to create beautiful custom overlays. In fact, you can do it yourself for free using Canva!

In this blog post, I will show you exactly how to create stunning custom overlays for your online courses, training programs, and educational videos. 

Trust me, it’s easier than you think!

Step 1: Head Over to Canva

Step 2: Get Inspired

Now, before we jump into creating, let’s take a moment to get inspired. I know, I know, you’re eager to start designing, but trust me on this one. If you have a clear vision of what you want your overlay to look like, feel free to skip this step. But if you’re like most of us, a little inspiration can spark some serious creativity.

In Canva, you can search for all sorts of design ideas. Here are some keyword searches you can try:

• [Keyword] Overlay Examples (e.g., Fitness Overlay, Cooking Overlay)
• Simple Presentation
• Aesthetic [Keyword] Background (e.g., Aesthetic Fitness Background)
• Fun [Keyword] Background (e.g., Fun Fitness Background)
• Minimalist [Keyword] Overlay
• Elegant [Keyword] Design
• Creative [Keyword] Template
• Abstract [Keyword] Background
• Modern [Keyword] Overlay
• Professional [Keyword] Presentation
• Bold [Keyword] Overlay Design
• Vintage [Keyword] Style Background
• Gradient [Keyword] Overlay
• Textured [Keyword] Background

Go ahead! click around and save any designs that catch your eye. Even if you don’t use them exactly as they are, they can serve as a great starting point.

Step 3: Choose Your Presentation Style

Now that you’ve soaked up some inspiration, let’s get down to business. Canva’s presentation format is perfect for creating overlays. The dimensions work really well with most video editing software, so no need to worry about resizing or cropping later.

When you open up a new presentation, you’ll be greeted by a blank page. Don’t panic! It’s a little intimidating, I know. But remember, that blank page is your canvas (no pun intended).

Your overlay could be sleek and minimalist, or bold and colorful. 

You’ve got this!

Step 4: Add Your Brand Colors and Logo

Now, let’s talk branding. One of the best things you can do to make your overlays look professional is to add your brand colors and logo. Yes, even if you’re using the free version of Canva, you can still do this. Here’s how:

1. Upload Your Logo: On the left sidebar, you’ll see an “Uploads” option. Click on that and upload your logo.
2. Add Your Brand Colors: Go to “Elements” on the left sidebar and click on any shape. It doesn’t matter which one because we’re just using it to add color. Once you’ve added the shape to your page, click on the color box at the top. 

You can either choose from Canva’s pre-set colors or click the “+” sign to enter your brand’s hex codes.

If you don’t know your brand’s hex codes, there are websites like Coolors where you can generate your brand palette and find the hex codes easily.

Now that your logo and colors are ready to go, designing your overlay will be a breeze. You won’t have to keep hunting for that exact shade of blue you love, it’s right there in your palette!

Step 5: Create Your Video Overlay

Alright, here comes the fun part… creating your overlay! Let’s put all that inspiration and branding magic to work.

Example: Creating a Fitness Overlay

Let’s say we’re designing a fitness themed overlay. First, head back to the designs you saved earlier (remember those?) and open the ones you like. If you want to use a background image, Canva has a lot of options you can explore.

Here is how to choose a background image from Canva

1. Select your image:
   • Once you’ve found an image you like, click on it to add it to your canvas. You can resize it to cover the entire slide by dragging the corners of the image until it fits the page.

1. Decide if adjustments are needed:
   • If your background image is clean and simple, you’re all set! But if it’s a bit too busy for example a high-energy workout scene with lots of details, you might need to make some adjustments to ensure your text stands out.
   • To check, add some placeholder text on top of the image (we’ll get to customizing the text in a bit). If your text is hard to read, it’s time to move on to the next step, adding a shape for text clarity.

How to Add a Shape for Text Clarity

Don’t worry if your background image is a little too wild for text, there’s a simple solution for that. Here’s how you can add a shape to make your text pop:

1. Add a rectangle shape:
   • On the left sidebar, click on “Elements.” In the search bar at the top, type in “rectangle” and hit enter. You’ll see a variety of rectangle shapes pop up.
   • Click on the rectangle to add it to your canvas.
2. Resize the rectangle:
   • Drag the corners of the rectangle to resize it until it covers the area where you want to place your text. You can position it at the top, bottom, or center of your overlay—wherever it looks best.
3. Customize the rectangle:

1. Change the color: Click on the color box in the toolbar at the top. Choose one of your brand colors or a color that complements your background image. You can use the hex codes you’ve added to your brand palette or pick from Canva’s suggestions.

1. Adjust the opacity: Click on the transparency icon (the little checkered square) in the top-right toolbar. Drag the slider to lower the opacity until you’re happy with how it looks. The goal is to make the rectangle subtle enough that your background image still shows through, but solid enough to make your text stand out.

Play around with the opacity! Sometimes just a tiny adjustment can make a big difference in making your overlay look super polished.

How to Customize It

Now that you’ve got your background image and text shape in place, it’s time to make your overlay truly yours. Here’s how:

1. Add your logo:
   • Head to the “Uploads” section on the left sidebar and click on “Upload Files.” Find your logo on your computer and upload it.
   • Once uploaded, click on your logo to add it to your canvas. Resize and position it where it fits best. A common spot is in the corner of your overlay, but feel free to experiment!
2. Tweak the colors:
   • If you want to change the color of your text shape or background, just click on them and use the color picker in the toolbar. Make sure your colors complement each other and match your brand’s aesthetic.
3. Adjust the text:
   • Add your text by clicking on “Text” in the left sidebar. Canva gives you several text options (e.g., Heading, Subheading, Body text). Choose what fits your needs and start typing.
   • Customize the font: Click on the text box, and you’ll see font options in the toolbar at the top. Canva has a ton of fonts to choose from, so go ahead and find one that fits your style.
   • Align your text: Use the alignment tools in the top toolbar to center, left-align, or right-align your text. Make sure everything looks balanced.
4. Experiment with layout:
   • Don’t be afraid to play around with the layout. Move things around, resize your elements, and see what looks best. Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it super easy to try different arrangements.
5. Final touches:
   • Once everything looks good, take a step back (literally! get up and look at your design from a distance!). Does anything feel off? If so, make small tweaks until it feels just right.

Step 6: Add Animations (Optional, but Fun!)

Feeling extra creative? Why not add some animations to your overlay? Canva makes it super easy to add simple animations that can make your overlays more engaging. 

Here’s how:

1. Select the element you want to animate:
   • Click on any element you’ve added to your canvas, this could be text, shapes, your logo, or even the background image.
2. Click on ‘Animate’:
   • In the top toolbar, you’ll see an option that says “Animate.” Click on it, and a panel will pop up with different animation styles to choose from.
3. Choose an animation style:
   • Canva offers a variety of animations, from subtle fades to more dynamic bounces. Some of my favorites include:
     • Fade: A smooth, elegant entrance or exit.
     • Pan: A gentle slide from one side of the screen to the other.
     • Pop: Adds a playful, bouncing effect to your elements.
     • Rise: This one gives a nice upward motion, making your text or shapes appear to float onto the screen.
4. Customize the animation:
   • You can adjust the speed of the animation and choose when it starts (e.g., on click, after a delay, or automatically). Play around with the settings to find what works best for your design.
5. Preview your animation:
   • Canva lets you preview the animation by clicking the play button at the top of the screen. Watch it in action and see if it adds that extra flair you’re looking for.
6. Apply animation to multiple elements:
   • If you want multiple elements to animate in sync, simply select them one by one and apply the same animation style. Or, you can animate each element differently to create a more dynamic look.

Animations are great for drawing attention to key elements in your overlay, but don’t overdo it! Too many animations can make your design feel chaotic. Sometimes, less is alwaaays more.

Step 7: Download and Use Your Overlay

Once you’re happy with your design (and animations, if you added any), it’s time to download your overlay and start using it in your videos!

1. Download as a PNG:
   • In the top-right corner, click on the “Share” button, and then select “Download.”
   • Choose PNG or MP4 as the file type for a high-quality image or video depending on if you made some animations.
2. Upload to your video editing software:
   • Now that you have your overlay, you can upload it to your video editing software (e.g., Premiere Pro, Final Cut, iMovie) and place it over your video.
3. Adjust the timing and position:
   • Depending on your video, you may need to adjust the timing and position of the overlay. Most video editing software will let you drag and resize the overlay to fit your needs.

Conclusion: You’re Ready to Create Stunning Overlays!

And there you have it! A complete guide to creating custom overlays in Canva for free. Whether you’re creating content for your online course, YouTube channel, or training program, these overlays will add a professional touch to your videos.

Remember, Canva is all about creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different designs, colors, and animations.

Ready to Take Your Videos to the Next Level?