How to Add Fonts to Canva: Easily Explained

If you’re a graphic designer, brand designer, or creative entrepreneur who crafts your own marketing and advertising content, you might benefit from being able to add fonts to your Canva designs. Even if you’re a complete Canva beginner, learning how to import a font to Canva can help you make more personalized designs.

Is it Possible to Add Fonts to Canva?

Printed posters and a tablet sit on a table. The posters have a floral frame and the words “Inhale, Exhale” on them. The tablet has a design with a circle of flowers surrounding the names “Vero & Nigel.” — Still from Skillshare class From Procreate to Canva: Turn Digital Illustrations into Botanical Designs by Silvia OspinaThis designer combines bold serif fonts with soothing botanical illustrations for a contemporary look.

Full-time designers and novices alike have wondered if it’s possible to add fonts to their Canva workspaces. The answer is yes, you can make all your typography dreams come true by uploading fonts to Canva. You can add your favorite fonts if Canva doesn’t have the ones you usually like to use. You can also import a unique font to Canva if you’re looking to make a design that will stand out from the crowd.

Steps to Add Fonts to Canva

No matter if you’re on the Canva mobile app or on your computer, you can download fonts to Canva. With a few easy steps, you’ll be on your way to creating a poster for your battle of the bands or adding an eye-catching title to your science project.

When you add Canva custom fonts, you can be sure you’re making a design that really speaks to you and your overall vision for the project. Or, try out a calligraphy generator to create something even more customized to you.

If you’re ready to add fonts to your design, here’s how:

On Your Computer

1. Access the Homepage Side Panel

This is Canva’s home screen. It contains a search bar, a side menu bar, and a top toolbar.

When you log in to your Canva account, you’ll be directed to the homepage. Here you can search for new designs, access old designs, and navigate Canva’s interface. On the left side of the screen, you’ll see a side panel with options like “Home,” “Projects,” “Templates,” and “Brand.”

2. Choose "Brand" From the Options

If you click, “Brand” on the side panel, you’ll automatically be opened into your Brand Kit. You’ll also now see new options on your side panel that include “Brand Template” and “Brand Controls.”

3. Select the "Brand Kit" Tab, if You Have Multiple Brand Kits, Pick One for Customization

To be able to add your new font, you’ll want to make sure you stay in the “Brand Kit” tab. Within this tab, you’ll see your brand kits or an option to create one. Here you can either start a new brand kit or click into one you already have.

4. In "Brand fonts," Click "Upload a Font."

Once you click into your brand kit, you can either scroll down until you reach “Fonts” or click on “Fonts” on the side bar, which will bring you down automatically. Then, click on the “Add New” button and click “Upload a Font” from the dropdown menu.

5. Choose the Font File You Want to Upload and Click "Open"

This is a font file selected in someone’s computer files. A few different font files are visible including MATAO, Poppins-Bold, and England.

Next, find and select the font file you want to upload and click “Open.”

6. Once you Confirm the Upload, Wait for it to Complete.

Here, you’ll need to confirm that you own the font or have the right to use it for the way you want to use it. Finally, you’ll wait for the upload to complete and you’ll be ready to use your new font.

Other Ways to Upload Fonts to Canva

You can also upload fonts to Canva while you’re working on a design within the editor. You just need to add text to your screen and then open the “Font” tab by clicking on your text’s current font in the toolbar. At the very bottom of the “Font” tab, you’ll see an option to “Upload a Font.” Click that and follow steps five and six.

On Your Phone

1. Start from the Home Screen

This is Canva’s mobile app home screen. It contains a search bar, a side menu bar, and a top toolbar.

When you open your Canva app and log in, you’ll arrive at the home screen.

2. Access the Menu

To open the menu, click on the white square with three short, horizontal lines in it in the top left corner. This will open up a side panel with options like “Home,” “Projects,” “Templates,” and “Brand.”

3. Choose "Brand" From The Options

If you click “Brand” on that side panel, you’ll now see new options that include “Brand Kit,” “Brand Template” and “Brand Controls.”

4. Go to the "Brand Kit" tab; if you have multiple Brand Kits, Select One for Customization

Click on “Brand Kit” and you’ll arrive at the place where Canva stores all of your brand kits. Here you can either start a new brand kit or click into one you already have.

5. Within "Brand fonts," Tap "Upload a Font."

Once you click into your brand kit, you can scroll down until you reach “Fonts.” Then click on the plus button across from “Fonts.” A menu will pop up at the bottom of the screen and you can click on “Upload a Font.”

6. Pick the Font File You Wish to Upload and tap "Open."

Once you’re in your files, find the font file you want to open and click “Open.”

7. Once you Confirm the Upload, Wait for it to Complete.

You’ll need to confirm that you own the font or have the right to use it the way you want to use it. Finally, you’ll wait for the upload to complete and you’ll be all good to use your new font.

How Do I Use the Uploaded Fonts?

Now that you have your fonts uploaded, it’s time to put them to good use.

1. Open a Text Box.

First, add a text box from the “Text” tab in the editor.

Next, click on the text’s current font in the font dropdown menu. You can find this menu in the toolbar above the editor next to the font size.

2. Uploaded Fonts are Found Under "Uploaded fonts."

When you click on your text’s current font, it will take you into the “Font” tab. Here you’ll find fonts you’re currently using in your project, previously used fonts, your brand kit fonts, uploaded fonts, and popular fonts. You’ll find your fonts under “Uploaded Fonts” or within your brand kit if you added them there.

4. When Dealing with Fonts that Have Multiple Weights, Click the Arrow Next to the Font for the List.

Some fonts have multiple weights like thin, extra light, light, regular, and extra bold. Click on the arrow next to your font for a dropdown menu with these font options. These will only be available if you added your font in multiple different weights.

FAQ

If you’re new to Canva, you might have even more questions about uploading a font to the design tool. Here are some commonly asked questions regarding fonts in Canva:

1. Can I use fonts that are not part of my branding?

Yes, you can use and upload fonts that aren’t a part of your brand kit. The brand kit is there to make adding fonts to your design easier, but you don’t need to use the branding kit in order to upload new fonts.

2. Do I need a Pro Membership to upload fonts to Canva?

You do need a Canva Pro membership to upload fonts to Canva.

3. Can I upload my own font?

Yes, you can upload your own fonts to Canva.

Custom Fonts for Your Creations

Your custom-designed holiday card, tea party invitations or branded social media post are just a few clicks away with your newly uploaded fonts. Try adding a few more fonts or playing around with the fonts Canva already has and before you know it you’ll be a Canva font expert. If you’re looking to continue growing your Canva skills, Skillshare has a wide variety of classes for all levels.

Written By

Calli Zarpas

Producer & Writer by occupation. Ceramicist & Newsletter Editor by avocation.