Master Canva’s Element Tab – The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
Struggling to Make Your Canva Designs Pop? You’re Not Alone
Whether you’re designing social media posts, sales funnels, pitch decks, or ads — you’ve likely felt the frustration of making your visuals look “just right.” You want to make a lasting impression, but instead, you waste time hunting for assets, adjusting visuals, or starting from scratch.
If that sounds familiar, the Canva Elements Tab is your secret weapon.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to master Canva’s Element Tab, so you can create scroll-stopping designs, save hours, and drive real results — even if you’re not a designer.
What Is the Elements Tab in Canva?
The Elements Tab is Canva’s all-in-one library of customizable visual assets — from basic shapes to complex charts and AI-generated images.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
Shapes, Lines, and Icons
Graphics and Illustrations
Photos and Videos
Charts and Graphs
Frames and Grids
Stickers and Animations
AI Tools (like Image Generator and Magic Design)
Tables and Smart Mockups
Whether you’re building a brand kit, designing a product launch deck, or creating content for Instagram, the Elements tab is where most of your visual firepower comes from.
Why Should You Care?
If you're a marketing agency owner, SaaS founder, or local business owner, your visuals are often the first impression.
Mastering the Elements tab allows you to:
Design faster and smarter without relying on a designer
Keep branding consistent with reusable graphics
Visualize data with charts and infographics
Automate your content creation process with AI tools
Build high-converting creatives for funnels, ads, and lead magnets
Let’s dive into how to use each feature effectively.
1. Start With the Search Bar (Your Best Friend)
At the top of the Elements tab, you’ll find a powerful search bar.
Search for anything — “gradient background,” “eco icons,” “pricing table,” or “blue arrows.” Canva auto-suggests and categorizes results into:
Graphics
Photos
Videos
Audio
Stickers
Charts
Frames
Grids
💡 Pro Tip:
Use filters like “Free”, “Animated”, “Color”, or “Orientation” to narrow down results. This is especially useful for finding brand-consistent assets quickly.
2. Shapes, Lines, and Icons – Build Better Layouts
Need a callout box, underline, divider, or checklist tick?
Canva’s basic elements are incredibly versatile:
Shapes – Use for buttons, banners, callouts, backgrounds
Lines – Separate content visually, guide reader attention
Icons – Add minimal but clear visual context
These can be resized, rotated, colored, and layered to build clean and functional layouts.
3. Graphics, Stickers & Illustrations – Add Personality
Want your brand to stand out? Use illustrative graphics or animated stickers to infuse fun, emotion, or brand tone.
Use hand-drawn illustrations for an organic feel
Add animated stickers to emphasize CTAs on social media posts
Mix in seasonal or thematic graphics for time-sensitive campaigns
👉 Case Study:
One SaaS founder added animated "✨Free Trial✨" stickers to their ad creatives, increasing CTR by 28%.
4. Photos & Videos – Access Thousands of Stock Assets
No need to pay extra for stock libraries. Canva gives access to:
High-quality stock photos
Video clips for reels and promos
Transparent PNGs
Use Canva’s “Background Remover” or “Magic Grab” to isolate subjects and create product mockups or lifestyle posts fast.
5. Frames and Grids – Auto-Resize Like a Pro
Frames and grids let you:
Drag-and-drop images into perfect shapes (circles, phones, laptops)
Auto-format multi-image collages or slides
Maintain symmetry and alignment
These are game-changers for presentation decks, testimonials, and before-after visuals.
6. Charts, Tables & Infographics – Simplify Data
Use Charts to turn numbers into engaging visuals:
Line charts, bar charts, donut graphs, and more
Customize colors, values, labels, and themes
Drag data directly from CSV files
Tables are great for side-by-side comparisons, pricing packages, or product specs.
7. Smart Mockups – Instantly Create Product Visuals
Highlight your digital product, app, or ebook by:
Uploading your design
Choosing from dozens of realistic mockups (iPhones, T-shirts, books)
Exporting instantly
Great for landing pages, lead magnets, Etsy listings, and Facebook ads.
8. AI Image Generator – Original Visuals in Seconds
No stock image fits your need? Describe it.
Use the Text-to-Image tool:
“An astronaut drinking coffee on Mars in 3D cartoon style”
“A female coach in front of a whiteboard, pastel theme”
Perfect for creating scroll-stopping, on-brand visuals no one else is using.
Real-World Use Cases
✅ Marketing Agency Owner
Create a client proposal using charts, mockups, icons, and frames — all within 15 minutes. Add animation and export as a video.
✅ SaaS Founder
Use icons, flow charts, and mockups to build pitch decks and landing pages that convert. Drop in testimonials in frames for proof.
✅ Local Business Owner
Create flyers, Instagram Reels covers, menus, and seasonal promos using ready-made graphics and frames in your brand colors.
How to Stay Organized: Use Folders and Favorites
Avoid the chaos.
✅ Click the three dots beside any element and “Add to Folder”
✅ Use Star icon to add to Favorites
✅ Create design systems with custom collections for each client or product line
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Overloading graphics – Less is more. Avoid visual noise.
❌ Ignoring hierarchy – Use size, color, and space to guide the viewer.
❌ Not saving favorites – You’ll waste time finding that “perfect” graphic again.
Conclusion: Elements Tab = Your Growth Weapon
If you’re serious about growing your MRR, getting more clients, or automating your brand visuals — mastering Canva’s Elements tab is non-negotiable.
It’s not just about design. It’s about:
Saving time
Creating consistency
Boosting conversion