Top 5 Hidden Canva Topics Every Designer Should Know!!

Top 5 Hidden Canva Topics Every Designer Should Know (Photoshop-Style Tools Inside)

Think Canva is just for quick designs and templates? Think again. Canva hides a toolkit that feels a lot like Photoshop, only faster and easier. In this guide, you’ll learn practical edits and effects you can do in minutes, not hours. From precise selection to pro-level color grading, these #CanvaHacks help you create standout images, thumbnails, and posters without expensive software.

1) Color Grade Photos Like a Pro, Directly in Canva

Canva has a powerful Adjust panel that many users overlook. It is simple to use, but the results look professional.

• Start by duplicating your page so you can compare before and after.
• Click the photo, choose Edit image, then Adjust.
• Hit Auto adjust for a solid one-click improvement.

If you want control, fine-tune the sliders:

• Temperature and Tint: Correct color cast and set mood.
• Brightness and Contrast: Balance exposure and depth.
• Saturation and Vibrance: Boost color with restraint. Vibrance is a favorite because it lifts dull colors without overcooking already rich tones.
• Texture: Sharpen and add clarity for extra detail.
• Vignette: Darken edges to guide focus to your subject.

These simple tweaks feel like color grading. Practice a few combos and your images will pop.

Helpful resource: Review the official steps in the Canva Help Center’s guide to adjust image and video settings. It covers Auto adjust, sliders, and quick fixes.

If you want another walkthrough, this quick read shows a practical workflow and when to use vibrance and sharpness: How I color grade photos in Canva.

Quick example workflow

• Increase Vibrance by 20 to lift muted areas.
• Add Clarity by 10 for texture, then Sharpen by 5 for detail.
• Bring Contrast up by 10 for punch.
• Add a subtle Vignette to draw the eye to the subject.

You get an instant “edited in Photoshop” look, right inside Canva.

2) One-Click Selection, Magic Eraser, and Targeted Edits

In Photoshop, selecting subjects often means juggling multiple tools. In Canva, you can separate and edit parts of an image with a couple of clicks.

• Click Edit image and choose Select. Canva analyzes the photo and isolates key elements, such as people, sky, or objects.
• From there, edit a specific part without touching the rest.

A few standout tasks:

• Remove objects with Magic Eraser. Brush over an unwanted item, like a spoon, and erase. Even the shadow blends out smoothly.
• Edit only the sky. Select the sky, adjust the temperature to cool it down or warm it up, and watch the mood shift.
• Brighten a small area of the subject. Select a specific region, lift the brightness slightly, and make it pop without changing the whole image.

Pair these with your color grading layer for polished results. You can even edit your main subject and the background separately for a deep, cinematic look.

Move objects with Magic Grab

Need to shift a person or item inside a photo? Magic Grab lets you select a subject and move it to a better position. No manual masking required.

Tip: Try moving the main subject to the right, then use Vignette and Contrast to balance the frame.

3) Image Blending and Duotone: Easy Visual Styles That Stand Out

Blending styles can turn a simple photo into a poster-ready design. Canva makes this fast.

Duotone for bold, modern art

• Go to Edit image, open Effects, and select Duotone.
• Pick a preset like Mustard, then adjust Highlight and Shadow colors.
• Nudge the Hue and tweak the strength. Add a short headline and you have a clean, eye-catching graphic.

For a refresher on gradient concepts, see how Canva supports gradient styling in multiple ways in Create and use color gradients.

Layered blending with cutouts

• Drop in a city skyscraper photo.
• Remove its background, reduce transparency a bit, and place it near your subject.
• Use Magic Grab to separate your subject, then push the city photo behind them.
• Add more images and repeat for depth. Finish with light color grading for a cohesive look.

This layered method adds movement and a story to otherwise flat scenes.

4) Blend Image App: Photoshop-Style Modes Without the Headache

Canva’s Blend Image app is where you get real blend modes across two layers. It is great for posters, album art, or dramatic thumbnails.

How it works:

• Open Apps, search for “Blend Image,” and launch it.
• Choose a Bottom layer and a Top layer. For example, a jungle photo on the bottom and a side-view portrait on top.
• Select a blend mode and preview.

Here is a quick reference you can try right away.

Blend mode	What it does	Great for
Overlay	Increases contrast and mixes tones	Energetic collage looks, bold posters
Soft Light	Gentle contrast and a smooth merge	Cinematic portraits, moody designs
Multiply	Darkens and deepens colors	Dramatic text overlays, dark poster themes

Start with Overlay for punch, then try Soft Light for a polished, film-like finish. Multiply is perfect when you plan to put white or bright text on top.

5) Hidden Text Effects: Gradients, 3D, and Custom Shapes

Canva has a few text-focused apps that many designers miss. These can give you the feel of Photoshop text effects, with less effort.

Type Gradient app

• Open Apps, search “Type Gradient,” and enter your word.
• Choose Linear for a clean look, then pick a preset to get started.
• Add more color stops and sample tones from your photo for a natural blend. For example, choose a light tone, a medium midtone, and a deeper shade so the gradient flows with the image.

Adjust the gradient strength, then update the element. Pair it with a font that fits the vibe. In the example, a font like Barbara pairs well with travel or editorial visuals.

TypCraft for 3D, wrap, and perspective

• Open TypCraft in Apps and type your text.
• Explore Wrap and Curve for organic shapes.
• Try Rotating 3D for motion and depth.
• Use the Custom effect to move points and reshape letters for a unique layout. You can even add an outline if you need extra punch.

These tools help you create dynamic, free-flowing text that feels handcrafted. They also speed up your thumbnail and poster workflows.

Canva’s Core AI Tools That Save Hours

Canva’s AI features turn tough edits into quick, reliable steps. Each tool does one job well, and together they form a full editing system.

• Background Remover: One click, clean cutouts.
• Background Generator: Type a prompt, generate a fresh scene, and try different variations.
• Magic Eraser: Brush away distractions; Canva rebuilds the pixels behind.
• Magic Grab: Move the subject inside the photo and rebalance your composition.
• Grab Text: Detects text in an image and lets you edit it without remaking the layout.
• Magic Edit: Select an area, type a prompt, and change or add an element. Example prompt: change background to yellow.
• Magic Expand: Extend the canvas and let Canva fill in the edges for wider crops or social formats.

If you want a deeper look at Canva’s AI suite, check out this walkthrough on Canva Magic Studio.

Practical Workflow: From Raw Photo to Poster in Minutes

Here is a simple project flow you can reuse:

1. Prep and compare

• Duplicate your page for before and after.

2. Clean up the scene

• Use Magic Eraser to remove small distractions.
• Use Select to isolate the sky or subject for separate edits.

3. Color grade for mood

• Auto adjust as a base, then tweak temperature and vibrance.
• Add subtle clarity and sharpening.
• Use a light vignette to pull focus.

4. Compose with layers

• Remove background from an added image and tuck it behind the subject using Magic Grab.
• Adjust transparency for a soft blend.

5. Stylize text

• Create gradient text with Type Gradient, sampling colors from the image.
• Add shape or movement with TypCraft.
• Keep type contrast strong against the background.

6. Final polish

• Use Blend Image with Soft Light for a unified tone if you want a dramatic look.
• Export for your platform.

Save this as a reusable approach for thumbnails, covers, and ad creatives.

Tips to Get Natural, Professional Results

• Use Vibrance before Saturation to avoid cartoon colors.
• Keep Vignette subtle so it feels natural.
• When moving subjects with Magic Grab, adjust shadows and brightness to match the new position.
• Try Soft Light first when blending images. It usually gives a smooth result.
• For text, check contrast at a small size. If it is readable as a tiny thumbnail, you are set.
• Sample colors from your photo for gradients and overlays so everything feels unified.

When to Use These #CanvaHacks

• You need Photoshop-style results, fast.
• You design social posts, thumbnails, or posters on a deadline.
• You want consistent visual style for a series.
• You create designs on the go, but still want pro polish.

These techniques make Canva more than a template tool. They make it a creative studio you can rely on.

Common Questions

Do I need Pro for these tools?
Some features like Background Remover may require Canva Pro. Many adjustments and effects are available on free plans. Try them and see what you can access in your account.

Will this replace Photoshop?
Not for every job. But for many creators, these steps cover 80 percent of daily needs, and they do it faster.

How do I learn blending and gradients faster?
Use presets first. Then tweak one slider at a time. The Help Center’s guide on color gradients in Canva is a good reference.

Conclusion

You do not need layers and masks to get a polished, professional look. With smart selection, simple color grading, and clean text effects, these #CanvaHacks turn Canva into a fast, reliable editor. Start with Auto adjust, use Magic Eraser and Magic Grab for cleanup and layout, then style with Duotone, Blend Image, and gradient text. Try one section today, then add another on your next project. Which tool will you try first?