Banners are everywhere. You see them at birthday parties, on YouTube channels, atop Facebook pages, and across websites promoting the latest sales. Whether you need a digital asset for social media or a physical decoration for an event, knowing how to design one yourself is a valuable skill.
Learning how to make a banner in Canva is the quickest way to get professional results without needing advanced graphic design software. The platform offers thousands of templates and intuitive tools that make the process accessible for everyone, from small business owners to event planners.
In this guide, we will walk you through the exact steps to create a custom banner, resize it for different platforms, and export it for print or web.
Why Use Canva for Banners?
Canva has become the go-to tool for non-designers because it simplifies complex design tasks. You don’t need to worry about bleed lines, pixel dimensions, or font pairings unless you want to. The platform handles the technical heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on the creative aspect.
Whether you are designing a YouTube banner in Canva or a pennant banner in Canva for a party, the workflow remains largely the same. You start with the right dimensions, choose a layout, customize your elements, and export.
Step 1: Set Up Your Canvas
The first step in any design project is getting the size right. If you start with the wrong dimensions, your banner might look pixelated on a large screen or get cut off when printed.
- Log in to Canva: Open Canva on your desktop or mobile app.
- Click “Create a design“: This purple button is located in the top right corner of the dashboard.
- Search for your banner type: Type “Banner” into the search bar. You will see options like “YouTube Banner,” “LinkedIn Banner,” or generic “Banner (Landscape).”
- Use Custom Dimensions: If you need a specific size—for example, a large banner in Canva for a trade show booth—select “Custom size” at the bottom of the dropdown menu. Enter your width and height in pixels (px), inches (in), or centimeters (cm).
Pro Tip: For a standard website banner in Canva, common dimensions are often around 728×90 px for leaderboards or 1920×1080 px for hero images, but you should always check your website theme’s requirements first.
Step 2: Choose a Template or Start from Scratch
Once your canvas is open, you have two choices: use a pre-made template or build your design from a blank slate.
Using Templates
On the left-hand sidebar, click the “Design” tab. Here, you can search for specific themes.
- Type “Birthday” to find a birthday banner in Canva.
- Type “Etsy” to see templates perfectly sized for an Etsy banner in Canva.
- Type “Twitch” or “Gaming” for social headers.
Clicking a template automatically populates your canvas. From there, you can swap out colors, text, and images to match your brand.
Starting from Scratch
If you have a specific vision, starting blank gives you total control. You can add background colors, shapes, and frames individually. This is often the best route if you are creating a spoonflower banner in Canva where you need a repeating pattern or a very specific layout for fabric printing.
Step 3: Customize Your Design
This is where you make the banner your own. Using the toolbar on the left, you can access photos, elements, and text options.
Add Text and Typography
Click the “Text” tab to add headings and body text. Canva offers pre-paired font combinations that look great together. Ensure your main message is legible, especially if you are designing a moving banner in Canva (animated GIF or video) where text might fly in and out.
Insert Images and Logos
Go to the “Uploads” tab to add your own logo or product photos. If you don’t have high-quality images, browse the “Elements” tab for stock photos and graphics. Drag and drop images into frames to keep them tidy.
Adjusting for Different Platforms
If you are designing a Facebook banner in Canva or a LinkedIn banner in Canva, keep your essential text and logos near the center. Profile pictures often obscure the corners or bottom left of cover photos on these platforms.
Step 4: Add Animation (Optional)
Digital banners don’t have to be static. Adding movement can capture attention more effectively than a still image.
- Click on the element or text you want to animate.
- Select “Animate” from the white toolbar above the editor.
- Choose an animation style like “Fade,” “Pan,” or “Tumble.”
- Adjust the timing to control how fast the animation plays.
This is perfect for an Instagram banner in Canva or website headers where you want to add a dynamic touch.
Step 5: How to Change Banner Size in Canva
Sometimes you need one design to work across multiple platforms. You might create a design for Facebook and realize you also need a YouTube banner in Canva.
If you have Canva Pro, you can use the “Magic Switch” (formerly Magic Resize) feature:
- Click “Magic Switch” in the top left corner.
- Search for the new format (e.g., “Twitter Header”).
- Click “Continue” and then “Copy & Resize.”
If you are on the free plan, you cannot automatically adjust banner size in Canva with one click. Instead, create a new design with the correct dimensions, copy your elements from the original design (Ctrl+C), and paste them into the new canvas (Ctrl+V). You will need to manually rearrange elements to fit the new space.
Step 6: Export Your Banner
The final step depends on how you plan to use your banner.
- For Web (Websites, Social Media): Click “Share” > “Download.” Select PNG or JPG for static images. If you created a moving banner, select MP4 Video or GIF.
- For Print (Events, Trade Shows): Select “PDF Print.” This format ensures high resolution. If you are sending it to a professional printer, check the “Crop marks and bleed” box to ensure edge-to-edge printing without white borders. This is essential for a printable banner in Canva.
Tips for Specific Banner Types
YouTube Banners
YouTube channel art is tricky because it displays differently on TV, desktop, and mobile. The “safe zone” is the middle 1546×423 px area. Keep all text and logos within this box so they don’t get cut off on mobile devices.
Pennant and Bunting Banners
If you want to make a pennant banner in Canva for a party, search for “Triangle” in the Elements tab. Rotate and size it to fit your page (usually US Letter or A4). Add your letter or design inside the triangle. You can then print multiple pages, cut them out, and string them together.
Website and Email Headers
File size matters for websites. A massive file will slow down your page load speed. When exporting a website banner in Canva, consider using the JPG format and adjusting the quality slider to find a balance between sharpness and file size.
Final Thoughts
Creating professional banners doesn’t require expensive software or years of training. Once you understand the basics of how to make a banner in Canva, you can produce consistent, high-quality assets for any purpose. From digital headers that boost your social media presence to printable party decorations, the flexibility of the platform empowers you to bring your creative ideas to life efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a banner with a transparent background in Canva?
Yes, Canva Pro users can select “Transparent background” under the download settings when exporting as a PNG.
How do I ensure my banner isn’t blurry when printed?
Always use high-resolution images and export your design as “PDF Print” for the highest quality output.
Can I resize a banner after I have finished designing it?
Yes, use Magic Switch if you have Canva Pro, or copy-paste content into a new file for free accounts.
Is it possible to print banners directly through Canva?
Yes, Canva offers a “Print with Canva” service that delivers physical banners directly to your doorstep.
How do I make a repeating pattern banner for Spoonflower?
Create a custom canvas with your desired repeat dimensions and arrange your elements seamlessly before exporting as a high-quality image.
