Overall Satisfaction with Canva
I've used Canva to create headers for social media, posters for bands, logos from products, thank you cards for clients, and an ebook. For me, Canva offers simplicity when designing pieces like this. I'm not a graphic designer and I can't afford to hire one when the need arises most of the time. Canva provides drop-dead easy solutions to my designing problems.
- If you're a monthly subscriber, you have access to TONS of images, photographs, and fonts. They usually have something that works for whatever you're designing.
- They also provide a large number of predesigned templates. All you have to do is erase the wording you don't want and put in what you do want. It couldn't be easier!
- Canva also allows for cross-team functionality. I didn't need this, but I can see how it would reduce turnaround time for a project.
- A negative is a monthly cost. As a solopreneur, $12.95 per month is a steep cost for something I don't use every month. I wish they had something else between $0 and $12.95.
- I had a hard time keeping track of the money I paid upfront for images. (For example, I paid $10 upfront to take care of the $1 image cost for premium images.) I wasn't always sure I was getting credit because it seemed like I was paying anyway.
- I'm always complimented on how professional my work looks!
- The bands I design for love that their gig posters don't look like they were created in Word or Publisher. They feel Canva makes them look like they're serious about their business. Bar owners have also commented on how nice the posters look.
- I'd have to say the only negative is the recurring monthly cost. It may not seem like a lot, but in the scheme of my budget, it has an impact.
Using Canva
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- The interface itself is easy-to-use. They've designed it to be intuitive, a big plus for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to learn new software.
- The number of images they provide is huge! And inserting them into the piece being created is dead simple. They also provide guidance so your placement is just right.
- It's very easy to create new pieces, but even easier to modify an existing template for your needs.
- Really, my only issue was keeping track of the money I paid upfront to cover the cost of images. It's not obvious as to where it's hidden and I'm not certain they tapped those funds each time I needed a paid image.