Write better prompts to maximise your AI allowance

All premium AI tools share a single monthly allowance. Some tools, like image and video generation, use more allowance than simpler ones like Background Generator and Magic Formulas. To get the most out of your allowance, write clear prompts to minimise the need to re-generate results.

Canva AI 2.0 is available with Canva Pro, Canva Teams, Canva Business, and Canva Nonprofit.

Canva AI 2.0 works as a conversational design partner that can take multiple editing and design actions autonomously when prompted. Because of this, it uses more AI power than single-prompt features and consumes your shared AI allowance based on:

• Designs referenced: When you include designs in a task, larger files use more AI allowance. For example, a 40-slide presentation will use more than a 5-slide presentation.
• Task complexity: More complex tasks require more steps, which increases AI allowance usage.
• Tools used: Tasks that use multiple AI tools consume more allowance than those that use fewer tools.
• Models used: More complex tasks or higher quality outputs may use more advanced AI models, than simpler tasks. The more powerful the AI tool, the more AI allowance used.

Simple task example

• Prompt: “Can you create an Instagram post to advertise our summer shoe sale, referencing this brief in Notion”
• What happens:
  • A limited range of information is referenced e.g. the uploaded brief, and brand kit
  • Only one social doctype is created
  • The task is complete within a few steps
• Why this is simple: The task is complete in minimal steps, and pulls from minimal sources of information

Complex task example

• Prompt: “I need to create new collateral for my Sales team to aid their conversations with prospective customers about our latest product launches. They need to be on-brand, and include the latest information on our products and services; use the brief in my Notion workspace, details from #latest-launches in Slack, and market insights from the attached .csv file. I need a pitch deck, flyer for print, and internal training document.
• What happens:
  • May pull from multiple sources including uploads, and large datasets from connected tools via Canva Connectors
  • Multiple pages and doctypes are created, rather than a single page
  • The task takes multiple steps
• Why this is complex: The task is complete in multiple steps, and pulls from multiple datasets

These examples outline the difference between simple and complex tasks. If you would like to understand what best-class prompts look like for design generation, check out AI-Powered Design below.

Video prompt tips

• Start with the most important idea, putting the main subject or action first for clarity on the video's focus.
• Describe the camera movement clearly, especially if it’s important.
• Use brackets or parentheses to call attention to important details you don’t want missed.
• Highlight emotions early in descriptions, if important. For example, “An excited crowd.”
• Use Canva AI to check and discuss prompt improvements before submission.

Tip: Accessing ‘Video clip’ via Canva AI on the Homepage enables you to select additional preferences, including Style, Aspect ratio, Framing, and Lighting.

Prompt examples

• “Begin with a wide shot of a hiker on a mountain, move closer to the subject's face, then pan right to show the surroundings."
• “A happy, young woman in a flowing blue gown ((her eyes glowing bright)), camera zooms in slowly.”
• “Golden-hour cinematic shot through jungle flowers to a tropical waterfall oasis.”
• “Create b-roll footage of surreal rolling hills with red spheres drifting above.”

Ready to practice? Learn how to create a video clip with Canva AI.

Image prompt tips

• Begin with the topic by specifying the image's purpose to align with your goal (e.g., sales proposal, product launch poster, webinar invite, 5th birthday card, etc.)
• Describe the style, colors, or mood, including themes and overall vibe, like blue, green, bold, pastel, or lively

Prompt examples

• “A bright skincare scene showing fresh, dewy textures, minimal props, and a calm setting that feels pure and high‑end.”
• “A polished real estate interior filled with warm light, neat styling, and a comfortable atmosphere that signals quality.”
• “A friendly business setting with natural colours and a clean look that supports professional marketing stories.”
• “A bright outdoor market scene bursting with lively colours, showing fresh fruit stands and friendly vendors.”

Ready to practice? Learn how to create an image with Canva AI.

Canva Code prompt tips

• Describe the purpose and audience to ensure the experience aligns with your goal and who you’re creating it for
• Add visual or layout details: Keen on a specific default colour theme, or want present information in a certain way? Let Canva Code know!
• Let Canva Code know of your visual or layout preferences, such as a specific color theme or presentation style
• Encourage customization by using words “editable” and “interactive”, especially if you want others to customize colours, or styles when using your generation.
• Mention data saving if required as most interactive experiences will save responses by default. If it’s not appearing, include “Save the responses” in your prompt.

Prompt examples

• “Create a colorful drag-and-drop quiz for 8-year-olds learning fractions.”
• “Create an Event Interest Tracker, to track interest for our next marketing event. Make it exciting and interactive, where users can fill out their interest levels. Save the responses and use an editable blue background”
• “Build a fun-run microsite where entrants can register their details including distance, effort level, team name and t-shirt size.”
• “Build a creative brief generator for capturing project requirements and creative direction. Save the responses. Use an editable green background and a playful font.”

Ready to practice? Learn how to create interactive designs with Canva Code.

AI-powered design prompt tips

• Start with the design type you want to generate such as an Instagram post, presentation, or business card
• Be clear on the end goal by explaining what the design is meant to achieve, and who it’s for, such as promoting a sale to local customers, or pitching services to clients
• Specify the design style by incorporating colors, brand feel, and themes, such as clean and modern with blue, warm and friendly pink, or bold and eye-catching elements
• Outline the key message or topic the design should communicate, such as a limited-time offer, property listing, or new service launch

Prompt examples

• “Create an Instagram post promoting a limited-time café sale to local customers. Highlight urgency and drive in-store visits. Use a warm, friendly style with inviting colours.”
• “Create a marketing flyer for a solar panel cleaning service aimed at homeowners. Highlight the benefits of professional cleaning. Use a clean, reliable style with fresh, professional colours.”
• “Create a marketing flyer for a solar panel cleaning service aimed at homeowners. Highlight the benefits of professional cleaning. Use a clean, reliable style with fresh, professional colours.”
• “Create a presentation explaining the basics of investing for beginners, using a clear and approachable tone. Use a professional, modern style that feels trustworthy.”

Ready to practice? Learn how to generate unique designs instantly with Canva AI.

Use Ask Canva to get help right on your design, whether you need advice or want new images or text.

Ask Canva prompt tips

• Open your design. Select the page, image, or text that you'd like to edit and click on Ask Canva to open Canva AI 2.0.
• Describe what you want and be specific about what you want to improve, change, or get advice on
  • For images, mention colors, style, or mood
  • For text, describe the tone, length, or purpose
  • For design advice, explain what you’re unsure about or trying to achieve

Prompt examples

• “Suggest improvements to my design”
• “Change into an animated style”
• “Rewrite this caption to be friendly and clearer”
• “Can you remove the background?”

Ready to practice? Learn how to get the most out of Ask Canva.

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