Level Up Your Bookstagram: Canva Tips & Tricks for Book Bloggers (Discussion)
Level Up Your Bookstagram: Canva Tips & Tricks for Book Bloggers
Start with a Branded Template
- Create 2–3 reusable templates in your brand style (colors, fonts, logo/handle).
- Use them for book reviews, new releases, wrap-ups, or top 5 lists.
- Set up folders in Canva to organize by type (e.g., “Reels Covers,” “Carousels,” “Mini Reviews”).
📌 Tip: Canva’s “Styles” panel lets you apply your brand palette to any layout in one click which is a huge time saver.
Use Smart Mockups for Book Covers
- Upload a high-res cover image
- Click Edit Image > Smartmockups
- Choose a lifestyle setting (eReader screen, shelf flatlay, etc.)
- Resize and crop as needed
📌 Tip: This works especially well for ARCs and indie books that don’t have a lot of staged photos online.
Create Carousel Posts with Intention
- Design in multiples of 1080x1350px (tall format for feed)
- Think in sections:
- Slide 1: Hook or cover image
- Slide 2–4: Key points (book tropes, quotes, spice level)
- Final Slide: CTA (“Save this for later!” / “Drop your fave monster romance below!”)
📌 Tip: Keep transitions consistent between slides using repeating graphic elements or colors to tie the set together.
Add Text Hierarchy (Without Clutter)
- Use 2–3 font sizes per post:
- Large (Headline) for things like book title, rating, theme
- Medium (Subheading) for things like quotes or short reactions
- Small (Details) for things like author, genre, date
- Limit font styles (one serif, one sans-serif max per post)
- Always center key info or align it consistently
📌 Tip: Canva’s “Position” tool helps you align text perfectly every time.
Use Free Frames and Grids for Aesthetic Layouts
- In the Elements tab, search “frame” or “grid”
- Choose shapes that match your vibe (rounded corners for softness, sharp edges for bold posts)
- Drag and drop your image in, and Canva will auto-crop it to fit
📌 Tip: Use circle frames for author headshots and rectangle frames for book spines or stacked TBRs.
Bonus Tools I Love
- Magic Resize (Pro only): Reformat one post into Story, Reel cover, or Pinterest sizes in seconds
- Text Effects: Use curve, shadow, or glow sparingly to make titles pop
- Brand Kit (Pro only): Save your brand fonts and colors so you’re not scrambling every time. Bonus that you can have more than one brand kit to help you create seamless posts if you change up your grid!