Gray Matters Graphic Design & Photography

Graphic Design and Photography

A Guide to Building an Original Brand Kit in Canva That Stands Out

Sarah Vogl

🦉 Whooo’s Ready to Level Up Your Canva Game?

Let’s be honest: one of the biggest knocks against Canva is that everything kinda… looks like it was made in Canva. You know the vibe—pastel blobs, recycled fonts, and that one Instagram carousel layout we’ve all seen a hundred times. But here’s the truth: Canva is an incredibly powerful design tool if you use it wisely. And the secret to wise design? A well-built brand kit.

So if you’re tired of blending in with the Canva flock, this post is for you. Let’s talk about how to set up Canva’s built-in branding tools to make your graphics original, recognizable, and unapologetically you—all while staying true to your visual identity and not the latest Canva trend.

What Is the Canva Brand Kit?

Canva’s Brand Kit lets you upload and organize your logos, fonts, colors, and custom graphics all in one place. Think of it as your design nest—everything you need to build consistent, on-brand materials is just a click away.

The Brand Kit is available for Canva Pro users (starting at $14.99/month or $119.99/year). If you’re on the free plan, you’ll have access to limited features, but the full Brand Kit functionality is where the real magic happens.

How to Set Up Your Brand Kit Like a Wise Old Owl

1. Add Your Brand Colors

You can add up to 100 colors in a palette on Canva Pro—ideal if you have primary, secondary, and accent tones. However, just 5-8 is the sweet spot in my experience. To do this:

  • Click on Brand Hub in the sidebar.

  • Choose Brand Kit.

  • Under Brand Colors, click Add New and enter your HEX codes or pick colors using the color wheel.

🦉 Hoot Tips:

  • Keep your color palette simple and intentional. A few key shades used consistently will create instant recognition across all your designs.

  • Shuffle your brand colors for a fresh look! Feeling stuck with your design’s color layout? Try Canva’s Brand Colors Shuffle. Just click on the design background, then head to the Styles tab in the left sidebar. Under Brand Kit, click your color palette—then hit the Shuffle button. Canva will automatically remix your brand colors across the design, giving you fresh combinations in seconds without ever straying off-brand. (This will also apply to your custom SVGs; see below.)

2. Upload Your Logos

Have different logo variations (full color, white, black, icon only)? Upload them all!

  • Go to Logos in your Brand Kit.

  • Click Upload and add PNGs or SVGs for crisp, scalable use.

SVGs are especially useful if you want your logo to scale without losing quality—perfect for print materials or high-resolution mockups.

🦉 Owl Advice: Name your files clearly (e.g., “Main Logo White,” “Icon Black SVG”) so you can grab the right one without ruffling your feathers.

3. Add Your Brand Fonts

Canva Pro allows you to upload custom fonts in addition to using their native font library. Just drag and drop your licensed font files (.ttf or .otf) into the Brand Fonts section.

Set your go-to headings, subheadings, and body text. This ensures consistency and cuts down on design time.

🦉 Nocturnal Note: Using brand fonts makes your designs feel intentional—even when built from a template.

4. Upload Custom SVG Graphics for Unique Flair

SVGs (Scalable Vector Graphics) are like secret sauce for not-looking-like-Canva. You can upload original icons, hand-drawn elements, patterns, or even textures in SVG format and reuse them across designs without distortion.

To upload SVGs:

  • Go to Brand Hub > Brand Files, or just drag and drop SVGs into any project and then “add to folder” from there.

  • You can also organize these into Folders for specific projects, products, or clients.

🦉 Feathered Fact: Recolor SVGs in a Flash! Did you know you can instantly change the color of most SVG graphics in Canva—no external editor needed? Just upload your SVG, drop it into your design, then click on it. If the file was created with editable color layers (most are), you’ll see color tiles appear in the top toolbar. Click a tile, choose any color from your brand palette or color picker, and watch your SVG magically match your vibe.

Avoiding the Canva Clone Look

Here’s where the owl eyes need to stay sharp. Canva’s templates are tempting—but trendy. Relying too much on them can strip your designs of uniqueness.

Instead:

  • Use templates as layout starting points only.

  • Swap in your colors, fonts, logos, and custom SVG elements immediately.

  • Replace stock imagery with your own or with lesser-used assets from Canva’s vast image/video library.

  • Keep a few “signature” design elements you reuse (like a certain corner shape, texture, or divider style) to reinforce your look.

🦉 Perch Perspective: Consistency is what turns pretty into professional.

Wise Words to Remember

Using Canva without a brand kit is like trying to fly blind—it’ll work for a while, but eventually, your visual identity will crash into the wall of sameness. With a solid Brand Kit and a few custom assets, you can swoop above the rest and create designs that reflect your unique business, not Canva’s trend-of-the-week.

So go forth and design like the majestic marketing owl you are. Trust your brand. Use your tools. And remember: just because it’s made in Canva doesn’t mean it has to look like it.

Profiles, Pages, and Professional Mode: What’s the Difference and Which One Should You Use?

Sarah Vogl

Not sure how to use Facebook to grow your personal brand or business? With options like Personal Profiles, Professional Mode, and Business Pages, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. In this post, we break down the differences, highlight the benefits of each, and help you choose the best option for your goals—whether you’re a realtor, freelancer, or just looking to connect authentically with your audience.

Gray Matters' Frequently Asked Questions

FAQSarah Vogl

When hiring a graphic designer or photographer, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Whether you’re launching a new brand, refreshing your visual identity, or planning a photoshoot, understanding the process helps ensure you get the results you want. At Gray Matters, we aim to make the experience smooth and transparent. In this post, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions to give you a clear idea of what to expect when working with us.

Spotting & Avoiding Facebook Logo Design Scams: A Guide for Small Business Owners

Creative IndustrySarah Vogl

As a small business owner, your logo is a vital part of your brand identity. Unfortunately, with the rise of online marketplaces, particularly platforms like Facebook, scams offering logo design services have become increasingly common. To protect yourself, it’s important to recognize these red flags and ensure you’re working with legitimate designers who will deliver quality work.

Comprehensive Guide for Launching Your New Logo & Brand Design

Small Business GuidanceSarah Vogl

Rolling out a fresh new logo and brand design is such an exciting moment! It’s the start of a new chapter for your business, and you want to ensure everyone sees it. This guide will help you launch your brand with confidence, step-by-step, across your website, social media, and beyond. Whether you’re updating your digital presence or refreshing your print materials, we’ll ensure your new look is everywhere it needs to be. Let’s get your brand out there and looking fabulous!

The Difference Between DIY and Professional Design: When to Invest in a Pro

Small Business GuidanceSarah Vogl

In the age of user-friendly design tools, many small business owners consider taking on design tasks themselves. While DIY design can be cost-effective and accessible, there are significant differences between what you can achieve independently and what a professional graphic designer can offer. Understanding these differences can help you decide when it’s time to invest in a pro.

The Pros and Cons of Square Loans

Small Business GuidanceSarah Vogl

Square is an incredibly accessible payment processor for small businesses. Most of the businesses we work with use Square. My other business, Bear Dance Hemp Company, also uses Square, and we have taken out a couple of loans with them in the past while tackling various projects and store improvements. Square Loans offer small businesses a convenient way to access funding, but it's essential to understand both the benefits and drawbacks before deciding if it's the right fit for your business.

Disclaimer: I am not a financial professional; this is not financial advice!

Frequently Asked Questions About Working with a Professional Graphic Designer

FAQ, Our Graphic Design ServicesSarah Vogl

Are you considering hiring a professional graphic designer for your business but have questions about the process? From understanding the design process to determining pricing and handling revisions, we cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Discover how partnering with a professional can elevate your brand and ensure you receive high-quality, impactful designs tailored to your needs.

9 Apps & Tools To Stay Organized (How I do *almost* everything all the time)

Tools, Small Business GuidanceSarah Vogl

Everyone is different and perfection is futile. There is no singular answer for how to feel organized, stay on task, increase productivity or use time more wisely. However, I’ve come to rely on a few systems to keep myself in check. If I follow the systems, I have to think less about the big picture and can blissfully focus on the details. This helps relieve anxiety caused by an overwhelming number of responsibilities. That deer in the headlights feeling is the biggest thing that will keep me from being productive and completing tasks.

Why We (Usually) Don't Work With WordPress

Creative Industry, Our Graphic Design ServicesSarah Vogl

So. It’s 2022 and you’re on WordPress. Finding an agency that specializes in AND recommends WordPress is getting more and more rare.

If you’re on WordPress and you’re trying to make any significant changes to your site, I usually recommend considering switching to a different Content Management System (CMS) like Squarespace.

For most creative agencies, the workload and consequent cost of recreating your site from scratch on Squarespace is less than the cost of making significant changes to your site on Wordpress. There are still cases in which something a client needs can not be accomplished using the customizations and integrations available through Squarespace, but I find this to be incredibly rare.