How to make a gradient in Canva

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Color gradients allow you to gradually blend one color with another to create a transition that makes backgrounds and shapes more visually appealing. They are often used to transition between two different shades, although you can create gradients with multiple colors.

Gradients add depth to an image, as well as helping to create a feeling of distance and proximity. canva allows you to create color gradients in various ways, allowing you to give your images more depth and pop. Read on to learn how to create gradients in Canva for backgrounds, text, and shapes.

How to create a gradient background in Canva

Creating a gradient background allows you to contrast a simple foreground design with an eye-catching background image.

The process for creating a gradient background differs depending on whether you’re using Canva on a PC or mobile device.

Create a gradient background on a PC

It’s easier to create a gradient background on a PC due to the larger screen and easier access to editing tools. Follow these steps to create your background.

1. Go to the canva home page and log in to your account.
   
2. Then click create a design.
   
3. Now, scroll down through all the options and click on the one you want to apply.
4. Choose Uploads on the left side of the editor control panel.
   
5. Click Upload media and upload the image you want to design.
   
6. After uploading the image, click Items above Loads.
   
7. Guy degraded in the search and press the Get into key on your keyboard.
   
8. Browse Canva’s gradient options and click the one you want to apply.
   
9. With the gradient applied, drag its corners so that it fills the relevant p of your image.
   
10. Click the Edit Imagine panel at the top right; If you don’t see the panel, click ••• More icon.
    
11. Putting down the Transparency to adjust the gradient solid color.
    
12. Select the gradient and click Position in the top right menu.
    
13. Reconfigure the gradient as many times as necessary to place it behind any other images.
    
14. Click on the gradient to see its colors appear at the top right of your Canva window. Choose your preferred color combination.
    
15. then you can Share your design at the top right.
    

Create a gradient background on a mobile device

While setting up a gradient background on a mobile device is fairly simple, it requires swiping back and forth to see the effects of the change on your image.

1. Tap on the + button in the bottom corner of the image editor.
   
2. Swipe until you reach background icon and touch it. If you don’t see the icon, swipe to search ••• More icon and you should find Background there.
   
3. Select a color tile, located below the search bar, and tap to apply.
   
4. Slide the editor panel down to return to your layout.
   

Follow these steps if you want to select a different color for your gradient background.

1. Tap on the palette icon.
   
2. Select the + Add a new color option.
   
3. Select your new color.
   

How to create a gradient in text in Canva

Adding a gradient to text allows it to stand out against a flat colored background, creating a sense of depth that makes the text stand out. Again, the process varies depending on whether you’re using a PC or the Canva mobile app.

Create a gradient in text using a PC

There are two ways to create gradient text on a PC. The first is a workaround that allows you to create this text in the free version of the software. The second uses some paid features to speed up the process.

The free method

The free method requires you to create a custom gradient within Canva before you can apply it to text.

1. Sign in and tap create a design.
   
2. Click on the Items option in the left sidebar.
   
3. Write degraded and select a free design.
   
4. Locate the two color options in the top left corner and choose the colors you want.
   
5. Save and download your new file as PNG.
   

Now that you have a gradient, you’re ready to use it to create a text effect.

1. Open a new page.
   
2. Select Items.
   
3. Type and click letter a frame option.
   
4. Select the letter you need and drag it into position.
   
5. Repeat this process for each letter required.
   
6. Locate your gradient PNG file and drag it to each letter.
   
7. Double-click each letter and resize your gradient image to cover all the edges of your page.
   
8. Select the gradient and click Position to Backward in the top right menu.
   

The payment method

The paid method uses Canva’s background removal tool to speed up the process.

1. Open a new page.
   
2. Click on the Items option and add a gradient to your background.
   
3. Select Items again and go to letter a frame.
   
4. Drag the chosen letters onto the page.
   
5. Select all letters and set their transparency to 35%.
   
6. Download the full image as PNG.
   
7. Upload the new PNG to Canva.
   
8. Click Add page.
   
9. Drag your new page onto the uploaded PNG file.
   
10. Click Edit image at the top of the block.
    
11. Choose background remover and wait about five seconds.
    
12. Click Apply.
    

You should now have gradient text without having to repeatedly drag a PNG file to each letter.

Create a gradient in text using a mobile device

Creating gradient text with the Canva mobile app is a little more difficult than doing it on a PC. It also requires you to have some degraded images saved in your mobile photos. Start by creating a new gradient background.

1. Open your Canva panel and click + icon at the bottom right of the screen.
   
2. Tap on the Facebook post template.
   
3. Select the + icon again and navigate to the photos.
   
4. Look for Degraded.
   
5. Tap the gradient image you want.
   
6. Drag the edges so that the gradient image covers the entire template.
   

Now, you need to add the text you want to apply the gradient to.

1. Tap on the + icon.
   
2. Select the text icon. If it is not visible, tap ••• More icon to find it.
   
3. Select a heading, subheading, or body text and choose a font.
   
4. Insert the text into your image.
   
5. Drag the edges of the text to give it the desired size.
   
6. Tap the text box and enter the words you want.
   

Now you have a gradient and a font. Next, it’s time to apply the gradient to your text.

1. Change the text color to white.
   
2. Select the text box and use the transparency slider to set the text transparency to 40%.
   
3. Download the image as a PNG file.
   
4. Log back into Canva and swipe to open a blank template.
   
5. Tap on the + icon.
   
6. Gonna Uploads and select your newly created PNG.
   
7. Resize the PNG so it fills the template.
   
8. Select Effects from the tools at the bottom of the screen.
   
9. Tap background remover and wait.
   

You should now have your gradient text on a white background. The final steps involve adjusting the text to make the gradient more pronounced.

1. Crop the text in your PNG image.
   
2. Select Adjust from the toolbar.
   
3. Use the sliders to adjust the colors of your text.
   

How to create a gradient in a shape

Adding a gradient to a shape works similarly to adding one to text. You must first create a gradient image before you can apply it to the shape.

Create a gradient on a shape on a computer

1. As shown above, tap Create new layout and then Custom size.
   
2. He chose the Elements icon.
   
3. Guy Gradienthit Get intoand click a design.
   
4. Drag the edges of the gradient to cover the entire page.
   
5. Choose your color options.
   
6. Save and download your image as PNG.
   

Next, you need to create a shape to which you can apply the saved gradient image.

1. Open a new Canva template.
   
2. Navigate to Items.
   
3. Click frames and choose your shape.
   
4. Resize the image as needed.
   
5. Upload your PNG file created in the new template and drag it over the shape.
   
6. Use the rounded corners of the image to adjust its size.
   
7. Double click the image and crop it to fit the shape.
   
8. Click Made when you’re done.
   

Create a gradient on a shape on a mobile device

Just like on a PC, you’ll need to create a gradient image on your mobile before you can add it to a shape. Again, it’s best to do this with some gradient photos saved on your device. Start by creating a gradient background.

1. Open Canva and select the + icon.
   
2. Choose a blank template.
   
3. Tap on the + icon again and find your photos.
   
4. Look for Degraded.
   
5. Choose the gradient image to insert into your template.
   
6. Drag the edges of the image so that it fills the template.
   
7. Save the template as a PNG file.
   

Next, you’ll create a shape and add the gradient image to it.

1. Open a new Canva template.
   
2. Click on the + icon.
   
3. Tap Items.
   
4. Scroll to frames and select the shape you want.
   
5. Click on the arrow to see all the available shapes.
   
6. Tap the frame and adjust its size using the rounded corner icons.
   
7. Select the frame and click + icon.
   
8. Tap Folders and navigate to your saved PNG file.
   
9. Drag the uploaded PNG to the center of the frame. The image will automatically be cropped to fit the frame.
   

Gradient for all occasions

Although it requires a little extra work, it is possible to create gradients on text and shapes using Canva. This allows you to create attractive images that have more depth and pop.