How to Make an SVG on Canva: The Guide You REALLY Need
Creating SVG files is essential for many craft and design projects, but what if you want to make an SVG on Canva? Canva is a popular user-friendly interface, but does it hold up when it comes to scalable vector graphics? The short answer: yes, but with some major caveats.
I will walk you through how to make an SVG on Canva, its limitations, how to clean up your SVG files using Inkscape, and alternative methods for getting a clean SVG design. If you’re looking for a quick, seamless file type, this might not be the best option—but if you’re willing to do some extra work, Canva can help you create “your own” SVG images.
Why do I say “your own” in quotes? You don’t really own these images and you’re more building elements together rather than drawing and making an original file.
What is an SVG File and Why Does It Matter?
An SVG format (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a file type used for cutting machines like Cricut and Silhouette. Unlike PNG files, SVG files can be resized without any loss of quality, making them perfect for digital and print projects. Plus for cutting machines you get the layered aspect in terms of pieces and color – making it easy to make paper crafts and vinyl projects.
Canva does allow you to export SVG files, but you’ll need a Canva Pro subscription to do so. This is around $10-15 a month. Even then, exporting an SVG on Canva isn’t perfect—you’ll likely need to clean up the file before using it for crafting or web design.
How to Make an SVG on Canva
Step 1: Open Canva and Create Your Design
- Log in to your Canva account and open Canva.
- Click the search bar and select “Custom Size” to set up your workspace.
- Use Canva designs and design elements like shapes, text, and graphics to create your design. You need more than one element on the Canvas to download as an SVG.
- Keep colors minimal to avoid excessive cleanup later.
Step 2: Export Your File as an SVG
- Click the share button in the top right corner.
- Choose “Download” and select SVG format as the file type.
- Check the “Transparent Background” box if you don’t want a background. But I have found that even when clicking this, I sometimes get a white background box that can be deleted.
- Click “Download.”
At this stage, your SVG design is created—but the real work begins after you download it.
From here, I would check the file in my design software first (i.e. Cricut Design Space). Sometimes the elements are perfect! No cleaning up is needed which is fantastic. But after trial and error, I have found this to be the case less often than usual. If it’s not a good design and has cut lines that are off or broken up elements, I suggest moving it into Inkscape to clean it up. You can read more on that below.
Note: I could not get text to work in Inkscape!
Personally, my favorite way to create an SVG for beginners if to break down a coloring page. This is an easy place to start and also free! Want to learn inkscape? Start here with my Inkscape Beginners Guide.
Why Canva Isn’t the Best for SVG Files
While Canva is a fantastic tool for social media posts, it struggles when it comes to creating clean, usable SVG files. Here are the biggest issues:
1. Fonts and Text Export Poorly
Text in SVG files from Canva doesn’t always translate well. It may not be grouped properly, leading to jumbled text when imported into Cricut or other programs. For some text, I just got a black box and on Silhouette the text was in front of a background that I couldn’t remove. I couldn’t even fix this in Inkscape.
2. Layering Issues
If your Canva designs are not properly layered, the SVG images may break apart unpredictably. This means you’ll have to manually reassemble the design in another program. You can usually reassemble in Cricut or Silhouette but you might find yourself grouping together hundreds of pieces. The more colors in your design, the worse the export will be. Instead of a clean SVG format, you might get a mess of tiny pieces that need to be manually reattached.
3. Issues in Cricut Design Space
When you open Cricut Design Space and import your Canva-generated SVG files, the design may appear distorted, misaligned, or even completely broken. I know this isn’t the end of the world and we can group things back together properly but it just takes more time and can be a pain.
How to Fix Canva SVG Files in Inkscape
Since Canva exports SVG files with a lot of issues, you can fix them up in Inkscape so that they’re usable. Here’s how:
- Open the SVG File in Inkscape – This free software allows you to modify vector graphics.
- Check Layers – Go layer by layer to reduce unnecessary individual elements and simplify your design.
- Reduce Nodes – Too many nodes can make the design harder to edit.
- Attach Colors Where Needed – If the colors are broken up, manually merge similar colors to simplify the design.
- Save and Re-Export as an SVG – Once cleaned up, your design will be much easier to use.
Alternative Ways to Get an SVG File Without Canva Pro
If you don’t have Canva Pro or don’t want to deal with messy SVG files, try these alternatives:
1. Download as a PNG and Use a Converter
- Save your Canva designs as a PNG file with a transparent background. But again, you want minimal colors or block colors (where you can clearly see a distinction).
- Use an online converter to turn the PNG file into an SVG format.
- This method is not perfect but can be more reliable than downloading directly from Canva.
2. Use Adobe Illustrator for Professional Results
If you’re serious about SVG design, programs like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW will give you much better control over your file type than Canva.
3. Work with Pre-Made Elements from Digital Designers
Many graphic designers offer ready-made SVG files that you can purchase and customize, eliminating the need to struggle with Canva’s export issues. Or just use mine for free!
Important Things to Keep in Mind
1. Be Patient and Cautious
If you’re set on making an SVG on Canva, expect a learning curve. Some files will need extensive cleanup, and not every design will transfer well.
2. Always Check Terms of Use
Not everything you create in Canva is free for commercial use. If you plan to sell your design, make sure you understand Canva’s terms of use and whether the design elements you’re using are allowed for resale.
3. You Need a Paid Subscription for SVG Downloads
To start, you cannot download SVG files from Canva for free. You must have Canva Pro, and at that price point, other software like Adobe Illustrator might be a better investment. Or you can be like me and use Inkscape for free!
Final Thoughts: Is Canva a Good Tool for SVGs?
The short answer? It’s not my favorite way to make an SVG. While Canva works well for social media graphics, web design, and social media posts, it’s not great for detailed SVG design.
If you want to create SVG files for Cricut or other cutting machines, be prepared to clean them up in Inkscape. Otherwise, consider using professional tools like Adobe Illustrator or working with pre-made SVG images from digital designers.
If you do decide to try it, keep your designs simple, use minimal colors, and always double-check your work in Inkscape before importing it into Cricut Design Space.
