5 Easy Canva LinkedIn Banner Tips That Work For Every Brand

In this guide, you get to discover the different ways and simple steps to create your perfect Canva LinkedIn banner. Let’s get started with this step-by-step guide.

Best Tips To Design A LinkedIn Banner With Canva

You can customize your Canva banner on any device with free templates suitable for every industry and career.

Meantime, here are the various methods and steps with my best tips noted down below.

Tip 1: Using Templates

A template is like a pre-cooked meal, waiting for you to add your unique flavor. If the thought of designing from scratch sends shivers down your spine, Canva’s templates are your knight in shining armor.

They offer a foundation, streamlining the design process and ensuring your LinkedIn banner aligns with platform-specific dimensions.

So, how do you use these templates? Let’s dive in step-by-step:

Step 1: Search for LinkedIn Banner Templates

Once logged in, you’ll find a search bar at the top of the dashboard. Select the Template tab and type in “LinkedIn banner”. Click on any of the options that say “LinkedIn banner”.

A range of various LinkedIn banner templates will appear.

Step 2: Choose Your Desired Template

Browse through Canva’s virtual template gallery. Look for designs that catch your eye or resonate with your personal or professional brand.

Found a template that speaks to you? Click on it to open it in the Canva editor. This action will load the template, ready for customization.

Step 3: Customize the Template

Replace Images: Any pre-existing image in the template should be created with a frame. To replace it with a new image, go to the left sidebar, click on Photos, search for an image, and then drag and drop it onto your banner with the old image.

Alter Text: Click on any text box to edit its content. Adjust font type, size, and color using the toolbar at the top.

Change Background Color: If the template has a colored background that you’d like to change, click anywhere on the background. A color palette will appear on the top toolbar. Choose a new color or input a specific color code.

Add Elements: Want to include icons, shapes, or lines? Head to the Elements section on the left sidebar. Search and select the element you want and drag it to your desired position.

Tip 2: Incorporating Brand Colors

When you think about some of the world’s most iconic brands, certain colors instantly spring to mind. Think Coca-Cola red or Tiffany blue.

Brand colors play a pivotal role in brand recognition and consistency across various platforms. Incorporating these colors into your LinkedIn banner ensures brand cohesion and creates a memorable impression.

Here’s how you can incorporate your brand colors into your banner:

Step 1: Identify Your Brand Colors

Before you start, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your brand’s primary and secondary colors. Typically, these can be found in your brand’s style guide. If you don’t have a style guide, pick colors that align with your brand’s persona and ethos.

Step 2: Locate the Color Palette

Click on any element on the template and the Editor toolbar will appear above your canvas. You’ll see a colored tile, which is your gateway to the color palette. Click on it and the color palette slides out from the left.

Step 3: Add Custom Colors

You’ll find a ‘+’ in a rainbow-colored tile in the panel, indicating “Add a new color”. Click on it.

If you know the HEX or RGB codes of your brand colors, input them here. This ensures you’re using the exact shade associated with your brand.

If you don’t know the HEX or RGB codes, you can use the Canva color picker or tools like Image Color Picker can help identify them from any image or logo.

Step 4: Apply the Colors

Once your brand colors are added to the palette, you can apply them to any element in your design. Click on the element (be it a text, shape, or background). Then, choose the desired color from the palette.

Tip 3: Adding Relevant Imagery

A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. In the digital realm, where attention spans are fleeting, the right imagery can grab attention, tell a story, and amplify your message.

Especially on a platform like LinkedIn, relevant images can be the difference between a scroll-past and a profile view.

Here’s how you can add and optimize relevant images on your LinkedIn banner:

Step 1: Understand Your Brand’s Narrative

Before diving into the world of imagery, take a step back. What’s the story or message you want to convey with your LinkedIn banner? Whether it’s professionalism, creativity, innovation, or warmth, have a clear theme in mind.

Step 2: Access Canva Image Library

Once you’re in the Canva editor, navigate to the left sidebar and click on the Photos tab. This opens up Canva’s vast library of stock photos, covering various themes and niches.

Step 3: Search Relevant Keywords

In the search bar within the Photos tab, type keywords related to your brand narrative. For instance, if you’re in the tech industry, you might search for “technology,” “innovation,” or “coding.”

Step 4: Browse and Select

As you search, you’ll be presented with a plethora of images. Browse through and select one that aligns with your brand and the story you want to tell. Click on the image or drag and drop it onto your banner.

Step 5: Adjust Image Positioning

Once the image is on your banner, you can resize or reposition it. Hover over the image’s corners to adjust its size by dragging it away from the center to make it bigger or toward the center to make it smaller.

Then, move it to your desired position. Show the ruler to use Canva guides to align your image to the canvas.

Step 6: Apply Filters Or Adjustments

To give your image a unique touch or align it with your brand colors, you can apply filters. Click on the image, navigate to the top toolbar, and select Edit Image.

Then in the left-side panel, go to the Filters section and click See All.

Here, you can choose from preset filters or manually adjust brightness, contrast, and more.

Step 7: Add Overlays Or Masks (Optional)

If you wish to add an artistic touch, you can use overlays or masks. In the left sidebar, go to Elements and search for “gradients” or “masks.” Once you find an overlay you like, drag and drop it onto your image. Adjust its transparency using the opacity slider on the top toolbar.

Step 8: Ensure Text Visibility

If your banner has text, ensure it remains visible and readable against the background image.

If the text gets lost in the imagery, consider wrapping it around the image, adding a semi-transparent shape or color overlay behind the text to boost contrast.

Tip 4: Playing with Typography

Typography, the art of arranging type, can be likened to the tone of voice in a conversation. It communicates not just the words, but the emotion, the intent, and the personality behind them.

On a visual platform like LinkedIn, where textual content meets design, typography becomes pivotal.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to play with typography:

Step 1: Recognize Your Brand Voice

Before getting started with trying different fonts and styles, ascertain the voice of your brand. Is it formal and authoritative? Casual and friendly? Creative and quirky? Your chosen typography should reflect this voice.

Step 2: Select Font

Choose a font within the Canva editor, and click on any text element. A drop-down menu of fonts will appear at the top. Browse through and pick one that resonates with your brand. Clarity is key – whether it’s a modern or retro font, ensure it’s legible.

Step 3: Determine Font Hierarchy

Establish a clear hierarchy. Headers or main messages should be in larger, bolder fonts, while subtext or secondary messages can be smaller or lighter.

Step 4: Experiment With Font Pairing

More than one font can add depth and character. But, ensure they complement rather than clash. A common practice is pairing a serif font (like Times New Roman) with a sans-serif one (like Arial).

Step 5: Play With Sizes

In the toolbar, adjust the font size. For headers, opt for larger sizes for emphasis, and for subtext, go smaller. Always maintain readability.

Step 6: Get Colorful

Typography isn’t just black and white. Highlight keywords or messages with brand colors or those that contrast well with the banner’s background.

Step 7: Add Effects

Canva offers options like bold, italics, and underline. These can be accessed right next to the font dropdown. Use them sparingly for emphasis.

Step 8: Adjust Letter Spacing

Within the toolbar, you’ll find a letter and line spacing option. This allows you to increase or decrease the space between letters and lines. This can greatly affect readability and aesthetic appeal.

Step 9: Align Your Text

Depending on your design, decide whether your text should be left-aligned, centered, or right-aligned. Ensure it aligns well with other elements on the banner.

Step 10: Embrace Text Effects

Under the Effects tab (next to the font dropdown), explore effects like shadow, lift, or hollow. These can add a three-dimensional feel or depth to your typography.

Tip 5: Use of Icons and Elements

In design, sometimes the smallest elements can pack the most significant punch. Icons and other design elements are like the seasoning in a dish – they might not be the main ingredient, but they bring out the essence of the whole.

Here’s how you can spruce up your banner with icons and other design elements:

Step 1: Understand The Purpose

Before integrating any element, identify its purpose. Do you want to highlight certain information? Guide the viewer’s eye? Or simply enhance aesthetics? Your choices should revolve around these goals.

Step 2: Begin With Basic Shapes

On the Canva editor’s left sidebar, click on the Elements tab. Then, go to the Graphics section and click on See All. This opens up a wide range of shapes, lines, icons, and more.

Sometimes, the simplest shapes like circles, squares, or lines can create a structure for your banner. They can act as backdrops for text or frame certain parts of your design.

Step 3: Explore Icons

In the Graphics section, type keywords in the search bar related to the icons you need. For instance, if you wish to indicate contact details, you might search for a phone or email icon.

Step 4: Customize The Icons

Once you’ve chosen an icon, drag it onto your banner. You can adjust its size, color, and position. Always maintain consistency in icon styles – if you opt for a flat design for one icon, ensure the others match.

Step 5: Introduce Infographic Elements

If your banner needs to convey data or specific steps, infographic elements like arrows, pointers, or numbered circles can be handy.

Step 6: Add Decorative Elements

These are elements that don’t necessarily have a functional role but enhance the overall aesthetics of the banner. Examples include swirls, patterns, or abstract designs. Use sparingly to avoid clutter.

Create LinkedIn Banner In Canva FAQs

PNG: This format retains a higher image quality and supports transparency. If your banner has intricate designs, gradients, or you require a transparent background, PNG is the way to go. The file size might be larger compared to JPG.

JPG (or JPEG): JPEG is a commonly used format for images on the web due to its smaller file size. It’s great for banners with photos or those without a need for transparency. However, it uses lossy compression, which means some image quality can be lost, especially if the image is saved multiple times.

For most LinkedIn banners, especially those with photographs, JPG is sufficient. If design quality and details are a primary concern, then PNG might be a better choice.