Creating eye-catching designs in Canva involves more than just placing elements on a blank canvas. To truly make your graphics stand out, you need to know how to merge two elements in Canva effectively.
Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, mastering this skill can significantly elevate your design game.
Table of Contents
- Why Merge Canva Elements?
- Method 1: Grouping Elements
- Method 2: Layering Elements
- Method 3: Aligning Elements
- Combining Elements: Practical Tips and Tricks
Why Merge Canva Elements?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s cover the basics — what are Canva elements?
In Canva, elements are the building blocks of your design. These include:
- Shapes and Icons
- Photos
- Text and Typography
- Lines and Borders
- Stickers and Animations
- Backgrounds
- Frames and Grids
Why Merge Elements?
Combining elements in Canva can help transform your designs from basic to professional. Here’s why it matters:
- Create Cohesive Designs: Merged elements work harmoniously and ensure a unified visual flow — perfect for infographics, social media posts, or branding materials.
- Enhance Visual Appeal: Combining different visual styles lets you explore creative layouts that stand out.
- Streamline Your Workflow: You can move, resize, or edit grouped elements as one unit, saving time and effort.
- Ensure Perfect Alignment: Combining elements improves precision, ensuring a polished and well-balanced layout.
Method 1: Grouping Elements
Grouping is the simplest and most efficient way to merge two or more elements in Canva.
How to Group Elements:
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Select Elements:Click on the first element, then hold down the Shift key and click any others you want to group.
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Group Command:Right-click and select “Group”, or use the shortcut:
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Windows:
Ctrl + G -
Mac:
Command + G
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Toolbar Option:With multiple elements selected, click the “Group” button on the top toolbar.
Why Use Grouping?
- Move Together: Drag grouped elements without losing their position relative to each other.
- Resize Together: Maintain proportion and alignment while resizing.
Method 2: Layering Elements
Layering helps create a sense of depth and order in your design — going beyond what grouping alone can do.
How to Layer Elements:
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Select the Element:Click on the element you want to move forward or backward.
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Open the Position Tool:Click “Position” in the top toolbar.
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Adjust Layer Order:
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Bring Forward: Move one layer up
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Send Backward: Move one layer down
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Bring to Front / Send to Back: Move elements to the top or bottom of the stack
Benefits of Layering:
- Depth & Dimension: Layering makes your design look more dynamic and visually interesting.
- Organized Composition: Keep key elements in focus while background ones support the message.
Method 3: Aligning Elements
Alignment ensures your design looks clean, balanced, and professional.
How to Align Elements:
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Select the Elements:Click and drag to select, or hold Shift and click each one manually.
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Access the Alignment Tool:Click “Position” in the top toolbar.
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Choose Your Alignment Option:
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Left / Center / Right Align
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Top / Middle / Bottom Align
Benefits of Aligning:
- Polished Appearance: Creates professional-grade layouts.
- Visual Harmony: Ensures even spacing and consistent alignment.
- Faster Design Process: No more manual eyeballing — align in one click.
Combining Elements: Practical Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make combining elements in Canva even more effective:
1. Maintain Proportion & Eyeline Coordination
When placing two related elements — like a person and a pet — make sure their sizes are proportionate. Also, match their eyelines for a natural, cohesive look. This adds realism and visual flow to your design.
2. Use Transparency & Blending Modes
Want to merge elements seamlessly? Play around with transparency settings or blending modes. This is especially helpful for creating overlays, layered textures, or subtle backgrounds.
3. Use Frames & Grids for Structure
Frames and grids help contain and organize multiple elements effectively. This is especially useful for photo collages, product mockups, or visual storytelling.
Read More:
Bonus Tip: Hire a Pro for Polished Designs
If you’re short on time or need a design that really wows, consider outsourcing your work to professional services like Penji. Our expert designers can merge elements creatively and professionally — so you can focus on growing your brand.
Read More:
Final Thoughts
Combining elements in Canva is a fundamental skill that can take your designs from average to outstanding. Whether you're grouping, layering, or aligning — mastering these techniques will help you create cohesive, well-structured, and stunning visuals every time.
