How to Add Background to Canva Presentation

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Adding a compelling background to your Canva presentations can transform dull slides into visually striking designs that capture your audience’s attention. With Canva’s wide range of background options including colors, gradients, images and patterns, it’s easy to create professional presentations that align with your brand.

In this blog post, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for adding different types of backgrounds in Canva. We’ll also provide tips on customizing backgrounds to suit your presentation needs. Follow these simple steps to create captivating Canva presentations.

Step 1: Access Background Options in Canva

The first step is accessing the background options within Canva editor. Here’s how:

  1. Open your Canva presentation or create a new one
  2. In the left sidebar, click on “Backgrounds”
  3. A menu will open up showing different background types – colors, gradients, images, patterns

You can also search for specific backgrounds using the search bar. This makes it easy to find suitable backgrounds that match your presentation theme and brand style guide.

Step 2: Add a Solid Color Background

Using a solid color background is a quick and easy way to add vibrancy to your slides. Here are the steps:

  1. Under “Backgrounds”, click on “Colors”
  2. Browse through the different color tiles and click on one to add it
  3. You can also click the color palette icon to open up more options
  4. Choose a custom color not available in the defaults
  5. Click “Add new color” and use the color picker to select your preferred shade

Make sure to pick colors that align with your brand guidelines for a consistent and professional look.

Step 3: Use an Image or Patterned Background

Using images or patterns as backgrounds can make your presentations more dynamic and interesting. Follow these tips:

  1. Click on “Images” or “Patterns” under Backgrounds
  2. Browse Canva’s library or upload your own image/pattern
  3. Drag and resize the image to fill the entire slide
  4. Adjust transparency to soften the background (if needed)
  5. For patterns, click the repeat icon to tile it across the slide

When using images, make sure they are high resolution and work well when projected on a big screen.

Step 4: Add Gradient Backgrounds

Gradients create smooth color transitions that add depth to your slides.

To add a gradient background:

  1. Go to Backgrounds > Gradient
  2. Select a preset gradient or create a custom one
  3. Use the color picker to choose your start and end colors
  4. Drag the gradient across the slide to orient it
  5. Adjust transparency if the gradient overpowers the slide content

Experiment with different color combinations and angles to find the right fit.

Step 5: Customize Backgrounds Further

Canva provides additional customization options to tweak your backgrounds further:

Adjust Transparency: Lowering transparency softens loud backgrounds so content is still legible.

Add Effects: Try different effects like Gaussian Blur and Noise to make backgrounds less distracting.

Overlay Color: Add a semi-transparent color overlay on image backgrounds to mute them.

Crop Images: Crop out unnecessary parts of an image background to highlight key elements.

Add Borders: Borders can make colored backgrounds pop and anchor image backgrounds.

Step 6: Change Backgrounds across Presentation

Instead of changing backgrounds slide-by-slide, save time by updating all at once:

  1. Click on the background menu from any slide
  2. Scroll down and click “Change All”
  3. Choose a new background from the options
  4. All slides will now have the same background

This ensures a consistent look across your presentation.

Design Tips for Backgrounds

Follow these best practices when designing backgrounds:

  • Stick to 2-3 colors from your brand palette
  • Don’t use busy patterns that distract from content
  • Make sure text contrasts well and remains readable
  • Use subtle backgrounds for text-heavy slides
  • Add some flair with bolder backgrounds for section title slides

The goal is to use backgrounds to enhance your content without overpowering it.

Conclusion

Adding the right background to your Canva presentations can elevate them from boring to brilliant. With this simple guide, you can now leverage Canva’s extensive background options to create visually appealing and impactful slides aligned with your brand style.

Remember to use backgrounds thoughtfully to reinforce your messaging, not pull attention away from it. Craft captivating presentations that wow your audiences with these pro tips!

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