Canva Pro Secrets 2021: Design Hacks Only Power Users Know
Canva Pro became a game-changer in 2021. From students to business owners, everyone wanted to design fast, easy, and professional graphics. But did you know Canva Pro has hidden features most people never use?
In this guide, we’ll explore Canva Pro secrets that only power users knew back in 2021. These simple tips will save time, boost creativity, and make your designs stand out.
Let’s unlock Canva like a pro!
What Is Canva Pro?
Canva Pro is the paid version of Canva. While the free version is great, Canva Pro unlocks:
- Premium templates
- Magic Resize
- Brand Kits
- Background remover
- More cloud storage
- Access to over 100 million assets
In 2021, Canva Pro helped creators design like real professionals without needing design school.
Why Canva Pro Was a Must-Have in 2021
Here’s why people loved Canva Pro in 2021:
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- Perfect for Instagram posts, resumes, business cards, YouTube thumbnails, and more
- Huge time-saver with one-click tools
- Affordable compared to hiring a designer
Whether you were a beginner or expert, Canva Pro made designing fun and easy.
Canva Pro Secrets Only Power Users Knew in 2021
Let’s dive into the design hacks that separated the pros from the rest.
1. Magic Resize = One Click for All Platforms
Need the same design for Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Stories?
With Magic Resize:
- Design once
- Resize in one click
- Choose multiple sizes at once
- Save hours of reformatting
💡 Power Tip: Always design in square format first, then resize to vertical or horizontal.
2. Use Background Remover Like a Pro
Canva Pro’s Background Remover was a big win in 2021.
Steps:
- Upload your photo
- Click on the photo
- Hit “Edit Image”
- Click “Background Remover”
That’s it! The background vanishes in seconds. Great for thumbnails, profile pics, product images, and more.
3. Create Brand Kits for Quick, Consistent Designs
Tired of copying brand colors and fonts every time?
With Brand Kits, you could:
- Save logo, brand fonts, and colors
- Use them instantly in any design
- Stay consistent without thinking
💡 Pro Secret: Use the “Styles” tab to apply brand fonts and colors to any template with one click.
4. Layer Like a Designer with Position + Transparency
To add depth:
- Use Position to move elements forward or backward
- Use Transparency to fade images or shapes
This gives your design a pro look that’s clean and modern.
💡 Pro Tip: Use semi-transparent overlays for better text readability.
5. Instant Animation for Social Media Posts
Want eye-catching Instagram Stories or Reels?
Use Text Animation or Page Animation. In 2021, Canva Pro added fun effects like:
- Rise
- Bounce
- Slide
- Fade
💡 Pro Hack: Export as MP4 for videos or GIFs for websites and social posts.
6. Download in High-Quality with Transparent Backgrounds
Canva Pro lets you download:
- PNGs with transparent backgrounds
- MP4s and GIFs in HD
- PDFs for print (CMYK support)
This helped creators and businesses make sharp, clean graphics for logos, stickers, and prints.
7. Search Smart with Advanced Filters
Instead of scrolling endlessly, use Canva’s filter tools:
- Filter by color, type, or style
- Use specific keywords like “minimal Instagram post 2021”
- Save favorite elements for reuse
💡 Hidden Gem: Use “Recently Used” to quickly re-find past elements or photos.
8. Use Grids and Frames for Clean Layouts
Frames and grids are Canva Pro’s best-kept secret for organizing images.
- Drag a photo into a frame to crop it instantly
- Use grids for side-by-side comparison or carousels
💡 Pro Tip: Use irregular grids to make creative story templates or infographics.
9. Schedule Content Directly from Canva
In 2021, Canva Pro allowed content scheduling to:
💡 Time-Saver: Create a full week of content, then schedule right from Canva’s dashboard.
10. Make Use of Premium Audio and Video
Canva Pro users in 2021 had access to:
- Premium stock video clips
- Royalty-free music
- Audio mixing and trimming
💡 Creative Hack: Add background music to presentation slides and export as a video for YouTube.
Why These Canva Pro Features Still Matter
Even though it’s 2021 in this guide, most of these Canva Pro features are still available—and even better now.
If you knew how to use them in 2021, you were ahead of the game.
Final Thoughts
Back in 2021, Canva Pro helped people design smarter—not harder.
With features like Magic Resize, Brand Kits, and Background Remover, you didn’t need to be a pro designer to create pro designs.
Use these Canva Pro secrets to:
- Save time
- Stay on-brand
- Create scroll-stopping visuals
Start small, experiment, and have fun designing like a pro!
FAQs
Q: Is Canva Pro worth it in 2021?
Yes! For just a few dollars a month, you got amazing features like background remover, premium templates, and content scheduling.
Q: Can I cancel Canva Pro anytime?
Yes, Canva Pro had a flexible cancel-anytime policy in 2021.
Q: What’s the best way to learn Canva Pro?
Start with templates, use the tips in this blog, and keep exploring new tools.
