How to Add Texture to Your Brand in Canva
If your designs are feeling a little flat, it might be time to add some texture. Using texture in Canva can elevate your visuals and create more depth, interest, and polish in your brand materials. In this guide, we’ll walk through multiple easy ways to use texture as a signature brand element—even if you don’t have a professional design background.
Why Texture Matters in Branding
Your brand isn’t just your logo, colors, and fonts. Signature elements like patterns, textures, photo treatments, and overlays help tie your content together visually. Texture can give your designs more personality—whether you lean edgy, soft, vintage, modern, or somewhere in between.
Let’s look at how to add texture effectively in Canva, using a few different approaches.
Method 1: Use Photo-Based Textures with Overlays
Step 1: Add a Texture Image
Search “velvet,” “holographic,” or “paper texture” in Canva’s photo library. Pick something visually rich—don’t worry if it’s not your brand color yet.
Step 2: Add a Color Overlay
Hit R to drop in a rectangle over the texture.
Fill it with a brand color.
Lower the transparency to allow the texture to peek through.
Step 3: Make the Texture Neutral (Optional)
Click the texture image > Edit Image > Reduce Saturation.
This removes competing colors and allows your brand color to shine through.
✅ Perfect for: Bold brands, backgrounds behind text, or layered social posts.
Method 2: Replace the Background with a Texture
Step 1: Right-click your image and Replace Background with a texture photo.
Step 2: Adjust transparency until the texture feels subtle.
Step 3: Now, you can even change the background color underneath for added control.
This works especially well with warmer tones or subtle velvety backgrounds, especially when combined with text or branded design elements.
Method 3: Use Paper Textures for Earthy Brands
Paper textures add a soft, natural feel and work great with lighter color palettes.
Try:
Crinkled paper for a handmade vibe
Craft paper for organic brands
Subtle noise textures for minimalism with interest
Just like with other textures, lower the transparency and layer it with your brand colors to create cohesion.
✅ Perfect for: Coaches, makers, educators, wellness brands
Method 4: Use Vector-Based Graphic Textures
Not into photo-based textures? Canva also offers vector textures under Elements.
Search:
“Grunge”
“Halftone”
“Speckles”
“Noise”
Since vectors are color-changeable, you can match them exactly to your palette. They’re a great way to add polish without overwhelming your design.
✅ Perfect for: Modern, edgy, and retro-inspired brands
Pro Tips for Using Texture in Your Brand
Stick to 1–2 textures consistently across your brand
Use folders in Canva (like “Canva Finds”) to save your favorite textures
When in doubt, lower the transparency—texture should complement, not distract
Layer textures behind text, quotes, and logos for subtle polish
Example: Bringing It All Together
Let’s say you’re designing a quote graphic. You might:
Use a blurred floral texture with lowered transparency in the background
Add your quote text in your brand font
Layer a subtle vector texture over top
Drop in your logo in the corner
Suddenly, a simple graphic looks elevated and on-brand—ready for Instagram or a slide deck.
Try This Yourself
Open Canva, search a few terms like:
“Velvet texture”
“Blurry flowers”
“Paper texture”
“Holographic background”
“Grunge overlay”
Then try layering, adjusting transparency, and testing colors. You’ll quickly find textures that suit your unique brand style.
Final Thoughts
Adding texture to your Canva designs is one of the easiest ways to create a branded look that feels elevated and professional. Whether you prefer velvet and holographic vibes or crinkled paper and watercolor textures, there’s a style out there for you.
Take a few minutes today to experiment—and don’t forget to save your favorite textures so you can reuse them consistently.
