Apply visual effects and quick styles to design elements
Transform elements with effects and quick styles
You can transform your design elements with visual effects and quick styles. Add effects like drop, glow, echo, and glitch to text, shapes, images, and more. Quick styles let you apply ready-made combinations of colour, border, and effects with a single step.
You can use visual effects and quick styles on both web and mobile, no matter which plan you're on.
Check which elements support effects and quick styles
Element type | Visual effects | Quick styles |
|---|---|---|
Text | Supported | Supported |
Shapes | Supported | Supported |
Sticky notes | Supported | Supported |
Forms | Supported | Supported |
Frames, and Frames with images or videos | Supported | Supported |
Plain images or videos outside of frames | Not supported | Not supported |
Charts | Not supported | Not supported |
Animated images (GIFs) | Not supported | Not supported |
Groups | Not supported | Not supported |
Embeds | Not supported | Not supported |
Apply visual effects
Add individual effects like drop, glow, echo, and glitch to supported elements.
Apply visual effects
- Select a supported element in your design.
- Select Effects from the editor toolbar.
- Choose an effect tile to apply it.
- Adjust settings using the sliders.
- Depending on the effect, you may be able to change the colour. To do so, select the colour tile next to Effects in the top toolbar. You may also change the effect colour in the effect settings panel.
The effect applies instantly with default settings. You can customise it further using the sliders.
Use quick styles
Quick styles are ready-made combinations that apply colour, border, and effects for fast styling.
Apply quick styles
- Select a supported element in your design.
- Select Effects, then choose the Quick Styles.
- Browse and select a style tile to apply it.
Applying a quick style replaces any effect already on the element.
Fix issues with effects and quick styles
If you're having trouble with visual effects or quick styles, try these solutions.
No Effects tab visible
What can cause this
The element you selected may not support effects.
What to do
Check the supported elements table and select a compatible element.
Edit button not shown
What can cause this
Some elements show Effects directly in the editor toolbar instead of Edit.
What to do
Select Effects from the toolbar.
Quick style replaced my effect
What can cause this
Quick styles are ready-made combinations that replace any effect you already applied.
What to do
Reapply or adjust your effect manually after applying a style.
Effects doesn't appear in my downloaded design
What can cause this
Some effects aren't supported in video exports (you'll see a warning in the download menu).
What to do
Try downloading again, and if the issue continues, contact Canva support for help.
Can I remove an applied effect?
Yes. Select the element, go to Effects, and select Remove effect or deselect the effect tile.
Will applying effects change the element size?
No. The element size stays the same. Shadows or blur might extend slightly outside the selection box.
Are quick styles customisable?
Not currently. Quick styles apply as ready-made combinations. You can adjust individual effects manually after applying a style.
Why are some elements missing or different in my video export?
Some elements with effects might not be supported in video export.
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