When a blog post is shared across social media, the featured image is embedded with it. Therefore, an eye-catching image is important. However, there’s a subtle art to designing blog images.

Thankfully, it's easy to create awesome images for your blog using Canva, and it should only take a few minutes. In this article, we'll guide you through the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Create the Canvas

To create your canvas:

  1. Go to Canva and log in to your account.
  2. After logging in, the dashboard will appear on the screen. Go to Create a design and choose the dimensions that are required for your content management system and website theme. You can do this by clicking on Custom size at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
    How to Create a New Design in Canva
  3. Hit Create new design when you've added the dimensions.

Step 2: Add a Background Image

If this is your first time using the Canva editor, spend some time exploring the editor interface. The two main elements here are the sidebar on the left and the toolbar at the top of the screen.

The sidebar on the left side of the screen is where you’ll find all the images, graphics, assets, and templates that you will need, along with your uploads.

The first thing we’ll do is add a background image. There are two ways to go about this. You can either upload a background image that you have pre-selected or you can browse through Canva’s collection of free and paid images.

If you need help finding a background image, here are the best websites for free stock photos to get you started.

Uploading an image is quite simple. All you have to do is drag an image from your computer and drop it on the left sidebar. The uploaded image will then show up in the Uploads section of the sidebar. Click on it to add it to the canvas.

To search for an image in Canva itself:

  1. Click on Elements and select Photos.
  2. Use the search bar. When you find an image that you like, simply click on it to add it to your design.
    How to Add Blog Photo to Canva
  3. Once the image is added, the next step is to position it. Click on the top-left or top-right edge of the image and then drag it outward to expand the image. You can click on the image and move it around as well. When you’re moving it, you’ll notice that the image automatically snaps to the grid. This helps you to center the image perfectly.
    Expand Blog Image in Canva Screenshot

Step 3: Edit the Image

You can use more advanced photo editing software, such as Lightroom or Capture One, to alter the colors and other effects in your image. However, if you're putting everything into Canva anyway—or you've picked a picture from Canva's library—you might find that doing so makes more sense within the app.

Canva lets you add several filters, and these work similarly as you'd expect if you used Instagram. You can adjust the intensity for each of these. You can also use Canva to adjust the temperature and brightness in your pictures, along with contrast and numerous other metrics. Moreover, the app lets you add several effects—such as blur and autofocus.

To edit your blog image in Canva:

  1. Tap on your photo and choose Edit photo.
    Screenshot showing how to edit photos in Canva
  2. Make whichever adjustments you feel are necessary. If you have to alter brightness and whatnot, you can click on the Adjust tab.
    Add Adjustments to Canva Images Screenshot

If you're going to use social media to grow your blog, you can consider using photography to create your own Instagram aesthetic. You can also think about starting a blog on Instagram.

Step 4: Add Text

Next, let’s add some text. Here's how:

  1. You can explore text options in Canva by clicking on Text from the sidebar.
  2. For the feature image, it’s better to start with a blank text box. Click on the Add a Heading button to create a text box.
    Add a Heading in Canva Screenshot
  3. After doing the above, double-click on the box to change your text.

Customizing Your Text

Once you've created the text box, you're ready to customize everything however you feel is necessary. You can change the colors, font, sizing, and so on.

Select the whole text box, and you’ll see the toolbar at the top change. First, let’s increase the font size. If you’re designing a feature image that’s 1000 pixels wide, we would suggest that you go with a 42-point font size or higher as it is easier to read on mobile devices.

Change Image Size in Canva Screenshot

However, the most important part is the font. Canva has an amazing selection of fonts, from playful ones to professional ones. If you're unsure which font to choose, you're better off going for something that's simpler and more versatile. You can later create a new design if you feel like doing so is necessary.

Try the following fonts to see whether you like how they look:

  • League Spartan
  • Montserrat
  • Alfa Slab One
  • Lato Heavy
  • Merriweather Sans Bold
  • Open Sans
  • PT Sans
  • Playfair Display Black
  • Raleway Heavy
Change Font Style in Canva Screenshot

You can change the font by going to the dropdown menu next to your text size in the top toolbar. Once you’ve got the right font, you can play around with the alignment and its position across the image. As a beginner, it's best to stick with center-aligned text.

Step 5: Add Graphics and Logos (Optional)

Sometimes you might want to make an image punchier with a graphic or an icon. Perhaps you want to include your website’s logo in the corner of the image as well.

Add Graphics in Canva Screenshot

To search for graphics, click on the Elements button and select Graphics. When you find a graphic that you like, click on it to add it to your image. A graphic once added to the image can be resized and cropped. You can even change its color as per your preference.

Creating Images for Your Blog Posts With Canva: As Easy as 1-2-3

Creating an elegant blog image is a simple process. Pick a good background, add a translucent layer, and dazzle the viewer with a gorgeous type.

Keep it simple and create a format that works for your website (along with your website logo). Canva makes it easy to duplicate images, so you can use the same format to create multiple blog images. Then, you will only need to replace the image and the text. No need to start from scratch every time.