Introduction: Why Canva Is a Game-Changer for eBook Creators
The digital product market is booming — and eBooks are at the heart of it. From selling coloring books and planners to publishing how-to guides, eBooks are a powerful way to earn passive income while building your authority online.
If you’re creating eBooks, Canva is hands-down one of the best design tools available. It’s beginner-friendly, offers thousands of customizable templates, and eliminates the need for complicated software like Photoshop or InDesign.
But here’s the challenge: Even with Canva’s user-friendly interface, many creators waste hours on repetitive tasks, like manually formatting pages or designing covers from scratch.
In this post, I’ll share 5 expert Canva hacks that will not only save you time but also help you produce professional, polished eBooks that stand out.
Hack #1: Start with Multi-Page eBook Templates to Skip the Setup
Why It Works
Starting from a blank page can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Canva has hundreds of pre-designed eBook templates that already have structured layouts for covers, content, and chapter pages.
How to Use It
Head to the Canva search bar and type “eBook” or “Workbook”.
Filter results by style (e.g., minimal, modern, bold).
Pick a multi-page template (10–20 pages).
Replace placeholder text and images with your own content.
Real-Life Example:
When I created a 20-page personal finance guide, starting with a pre-built workbook template saved me nearly 3 hours of formatting time. I only had to tweak colors, fonts, and add branding.
Unique Tip
Search for “Course workbook” or “Minimalist guide” — these often have cleaner layouts perfect for professional eBooks.
Stat: Canva reports that creators using pre-built templates finish designs 50% faster compared to starting from scratch.
Hack #2: Set Up a Canva Brand Kit for Instant Styling
Why It Works
Manually applying brand colors and fonts on every page is tedious. A Brand Kit ensures all your pages look consistent with just one click.
How to Use It
Go to Brand in Canva’s left-hand menu.
Upload your logo, set brand fonts, and add your color palette.
While editing, go to Styles → Apply Brand Kit to instantly update all text and color elements.
Advanced Tip for Multi-Author Projects
If you’re creating eBooks for multiple clients, Canva Pro lets you save multiple brand kits, making it easy to switch between branding with a single click.
Unique Tip
Consider creating secondary color palettes for different sections (e.g., chapters) to add visual variety without breaking your brand style.
Hack #3: Duplicate, Reuse, and Group Like a Pro
Why It Works
Recreating headers or layouts for each page wastes time. Duplicating pages and grouping design elements allows you to build a consistent structure effortlessly.
How to Use It
Use “Duplicate Page” or the shortcut Ctrl + D.
Select elements (Shift + Click) → Group → Move or resize them together.
Save frequently used blocks (e.g., “Key Takeaways” sections) as “Add to Your Designs” for future projects.
Real-Life Example:
When creating my “30-Day Self-Care Workbook”, I made one well-designed page layout for daily prompts, duplicated it 29 times, and just swapped text — saving hours of design work.
Hack #4: Use Frames + Smart Mockups for Faster Visuals
Why It Works
Good visuals break the monotony of text-heavy pages. Frames and mockups allow you to insert images instantly without manual cropping or alignment.
How to Use It
Go to Elements → Frames and pick a shape (e.g., tablet, circle, or book layout).
Drag your image into the frame for auto-fitting.
Use Smart Mockups (Pro feature) to showcase your eBook cover on a tablet, phone, or paperback.
Example Idea
Create a “sneak peek” image by placing a chapter page inside a tablet mockup. Add text like “Download Your Free Sample!” — perfect for Pinterest or Instagram promotions.
Hack #5: Export with Purpose – Multi-Format = Multi-Use
Why It Works
Your eBook isn’t just a single file — it’s a marketing tool. By exporting in multiple formats, you can repurpose your content across platforms.
How to Use It
PDF Standard: For email freebies or Gumroad sales.
PDF Print: For Amazon KDP or professional printing.
PNG/JPG: Export individual pages as graphics for:
Instagram carousels
Pinterest pins
Blog post banners
Advanced Tip
Add clickable hyperlinks in your eBook (Insert Link > Export as PDF Standard). Perfect for:
Linking to your website/shop
Adding affiliate links
Including bonus resources
Bonus Hack #6: Leverage Canva’s AI Tools for Content & Design
Canva’s AI features can now assist in generating quick layouts, headlines, and even stock image suggestions:
Use Magic Write to draft content (great for section headings).
Use AI Image Generator to create unique illustrations (ideal for eBook covers).
Auto-resize designs for different platforms with the “Resize” feature (Pro).
Bonus Hack #7: Use Canva’s Folder System for Workflow
If you’re working on multiple digital products, organizing your designs into folders saves time searching:
Create folders like “eBook Covers”, “Lead Magnets”, or “Social Promo Graphics.”
Store brand assets, templates, and graphics in one place.
FAQ: Canva Hacks for Creating eBooks
1. Can I create a full eBook in Canva for free?
Yes! Canva’s free version has everything you need to create and export eBooks. Canva Pro simply adds faster tools like Smart Mockups and Brand Kits.
2. How many pages can I include in a Canva eBook?
You can design up to 100 pages in a single file. For longer eBooks, split them into multiple files and merge PDFs later.
3. Can I sell eBooks made in Canva?
Absolutely. Canva templates are customizable, and once you edit them, you own the final product. Just avoid reselling Canva templates as-is.
4. Is Canva good for KDP publishing?
Yes! Choose sizes like 6×9” or 8.5×11”, and export with PDF Print to meet KDP quality standards.
5. Can I make clickable links in my Canva eBook?
Yes — highlight text or buttons, click “Link,” and paste the URL. Remember to export as PDF Standard to keep the links functional.
6. What file format should I use to sell or share my eBook?
PDF Standard for freebies and sales on Gumroad/Etsy.
PDF Print for professional printing or Amazon KDP.
7. Can I repurpose my Canva eBook into social content?
Yes! Export selected pages as PNG/JPG and use them as Instagram carousel posts, Pinterest pins, or blog banners.
8. How do I protect my Canva eBook from copying?
Add a copyright statement, watermark key pages, and sell via platforms like Gumroad that prevent free sharing.
🎥 Original Image & Video Suggestions
Image Idea #1: A flatlay of a digital tablet showing an open eBook design in Canva, surrounded by coffee cups, pens, and color swatches.
Image Idea #2: A before/after mockup showing a blank Canva page vs. a fully designed 5-page eBook.
Video Idea: A 60-second reel showing “How I Design a 5-Page eBook in Canva in Under 30 Minutes” — with screen recording and quick tips.
Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder with Canva
With these 5 (plus 2 bonus) Canva hacks, you can transform your eBook creation process from stressful and time-consuming to fast, fun, and efficient. Whether you’re selling eBooks on Gumroad, Amazon KDP, or offering freebies to grow your email list, Canva gives you the creative freedom to design like a pro.
