Software how-tos
How to make a digital scrapbook page in Canva
Canva is a popular design tool that works right in your web browser, as well as in its mobile and desktop apps. The free plan is completely enough to make basic digital scrapbook pages. If you are new to this hobby, Canva offers a gentle learning curve without the need to install heavy software. You can easily use your own digital scrapbooking supplies to create beautiful layouts. This guide walks you through setting up a standard page, uploading your files, and putting together a finished memory keeping project.
Set up a 12 x 12 design
Start by creating a blank canvas for your layout. The standard digital scrapbook page is 12 x 12 inches, which prints perfectly at most photo labs. By default, a 12 x 12 inch page at 300 pixels per inch is exactly 3600 x 3600 pixels. This size ensures your final print will look crisp and clear in a physical album. Setting up your workspace correctly from the start prevents blurry prints later.
- Open Canva and click the button to create a new design.
- Choose the Custom size option.
- Change the measurement unit to inches.
- Type 12 for the width and 12 for the height.
- Click the button to create the design.
This creates a square workspace on your screen. You are now ready to start bringing in your digital supplies.
Upload your kit
Before you can design, you need to bring your digital scrapbook supplies into Canva. Digital papers are usually JPG files, while embellishments and alphabets are transparent PNG files. Canva keeps the PNG transparency intact when you upload these files, which is essential for layering items on your page.
- Open the Uploads tab on the left side of your screen.
- Click the button to upload files.
- Select the papers and elements from your computer or device.
- Wait for the files to process and appear in your library.
Keep in mind that Canva may downscale very large uploads to save space. To avoid this quality loss, keep your paper files at 3600 x 3600 pixels or smaller. Most digital scrapbooking kits are already sized to these exact dimensions.
Add papers and a background
The foundation of your layout is the background paper. You can use a solid color or a patterned paper from your uploaded kit. Setting a background locks it in place so you do not accidentally move it while working on other parts of your page.
- Find your uploaded paper in the Uploads tab.
- Click the paper to add it to your canvas.
- Right click the paper and choose the option to set the image as background.
- Alternatively, drag the paper across the canvas until it fills the entire page.
Once your background is set, you can layer other papers on top to create blocks or borders. Just click additional papers in your Uploads tab to add them to the page. You can resize these extra papers by dragging their corners.
Put photos into frames
Canva uses a feature called frames to hold your photos. Frames are shapes that work exactly like clipping masks explained in other design programs. When you drop a photo onto a frame, the photo automatically fills the shape and hides the excess edges.
- Go to the Elements tab on the left side menu.
- Look for the Frames section and click a shape to add it to your page.
- Go back to your Uploads tab and find your photo.
- Drag the photo directly over the frame until it snaps inside.
You can also use grids, which are found near the frames in the Elements tab. Grids split an area into several photo spots at once. This makes it very easy to create a uniform collage look on your layout without measuring or aligning multiple separate frames.
Add elements and shadows
Embellishments give your page character and help tell your story. You can add ribbons, buttons, and flowers from your uploaded supplies. To make these flat digital items look like real paper crafts, you need to add realistic drop shadows. Shadows create depth and separate the layers visually.
- Click an uploaded element in your library to place it on your page.
- Select the image on your canvas and open the Edit menu.
- Find and select the Shadows effect.
- Choose a shadow style like drop, glow or page lift.
In current versions, Canva offers a few different shadow styles. The drop shadow is usually the best choice for items that sit flat against the page. The page lift style works well for photos or paper corners to make them look slightly curled off the background.
Title, journaling and download
Every scrapbook page needs a title and some text to tell the story. Canva has many built in fonts to choose from. You only need a paid plan if you want to upload your own custom fonts.
- Open the Text tab on the left menu.
- Add a heading for your main title.
- Add a small text box for your journaling.
- Type your story and adjust the font size and color.
- Click the Share or Download button when you are finished.
For a home printer, download your file with the File type set to PDF Print. If you are comparing printing at home vs photo lab, remember that a photo lab usually wants a JPG at full size. You can also save your layout as a PNG file to share online. Always check your downloaded file to ensure everything looks correct before you send it off to print.
Questions people ask
Can I use my own digital scrapbooking kits in Canva?
Yes, you can upload your own digital papers and elements using the Uploads tab. Canva supports JPG files for papers and PNG files for transparent elements. Just make sure your files are 3600 x 3600 pixels or smaller so they do not get downscaled. Canva keeps the PNG transparency intact, which allows you to layer embellishments over your papers easily.
Do I need a paid Canva subscription to make scrapbook pages?
No, the free plan is completely enough for basic scrapbook pages. You can create a 12 x 12 inch canvas, upload your supplies, use frames for photos, and add text without paying. You only need a paid plan if you want to upload custom fonts.
How do I make my photos fit into shapes on my layout?
You can use frames, which are found in the Elements tab. Add a frame to your page, then drag your photo from the Uploads tab directly onto the frame. The photo will automatically fill the shape. You can also use grids to split an area into several photo spots at once.