How Do You Outline a Shape in Canva?

Creating outlines for shapes is a useful feature in Canva that allows you to add emphasis and make your designs stand out. Whether you want to highlight a specific shape or create a border around it, outlining shapes can add a professional touch to your design. In this tutorial, we will explore how to outline a shape in Canva using simple steps.

Step 1: Accessing the Shape

To begin outlining a shape in Canva, you first need to select the shape you want to work with. Canva provides an extensive library of shapes that you can choose from. To access the shapes, simply click on the "Elements" tab located on the left sidebar.

Step 2: Adding the Shape

Once you have accessed the shapes library, browse through the available options and choose a shape that suits your design needs. Click on the desired shape, and it will automatically be added to your canvas.

Step 3: Selecting the Shape

After adding the shape, it's important to select it before proceeding with outlining. To select the shape, simply click on it once. You will notice that when selected, the shape will be surrounded by small dots indicating its selection.

Step 4: Accessing Outline Options

With the shape selected, look for the "Outline" option in the top toolbar. It is represented by an icon resembling a square with an outline around it. Clicking on this icon will reveal various outline options.

Bold Outline

If you want to create a bold outline for your shape, simply click on the "Bold" option under "Outline." This will instantly apply a thicker outline around your selected shape.

Customizing Outline Color

Canva allows you to customize the color of your shape's outline. To change the outline color, click on the color swatch located next to the "Outline" option. A color picker will appear, allowing you to choose a new color for your outline.

Adjusting Outline Thickness

In addition to changing the color and style of your outline, Canva also gives you the flexibility to adjust its thickness. To do this, click on the "Outline" option and select a preferred thickness from the available options.

Step 5: Fine-tuning Outline Settings

Once you have applied an outline to your shape, you can further fine-tune its appearance using additional settings in Canva.

Opacity

If you want to make your outline more subtle or transparent, use the opacity slider located next to the "Outline" option. Adjusting this slider will allow you to control how visible or transparent your outline appears.

Dashed Outline

In addition to solid outlines, Canva also offers a dashed line style for added variety. To create a dashed outline, simply select the "Dashed" option under "Outline."

Step 6: Removing Outlines

If at any point you decide that an outline is no longer needed for your shape, removing it is a straightforward process. With the shape selected, click on the "Outline" option in the top toolbar and choose "None." This will remove any outlines applied to your shape.

Conclusion

Outlining shapes in Canva is a simple yet effective way of enhancing your designs. By following these steps and experimenting with different outline settings, you can create visually engaging designs that capture attention and add a professional touch. So go ahead and explore the outlining feature in Canva to take your designs to the next level!