I Create My Best Instagram Reels With Canva: Here’s How

While I don’t make Instagram Reels as much as I used to, creating them in Canva always yields the best results. Here’s how I make my best content using the app; feel free to follow and adapt these steps for your own creations.

1 Choosing the Right Template for Instagram Reels

While you can start with a blank canvas, I prefer to use a template for my Reels. Using something that’s pre-designed makes it easier for me to think about how I want my ideas to come to life, though you might be different; it’s worth experimenting with presets and from scratch to see which works best for you.

After choosing the blank Instagram Reel template, you’ll then get redirected to a page with multiple templates. Some of these are only available with a Canva Pro subscription, but you can also enjoy numerous free options. I typically think about the type of mood I’m trying to evoke; if I want my Reel to be cozy, I’ll pick warmer tones. However, if adventure is the aim, I’ll shake things up.

While you can change the font (as I’ll discuss later), it’s a good idea to pick a Reel that has something similar to what you want the final result to be. For this Reel, I chose one with more of an autumnal theme; once I’ve picked something and expanded the dropdown window, I’ll select Customize this template.

2 Editing My Videos in the Canva App

I’ve already spoken in depth about how I use Canva to edit my smartphone videos, and for Reels, I don’t do a whole lot differently here. I’ll think about the types of colors I want in my footage, and most of the time, I also mute the sound (unless it absolutely needs to be there).

I sometimes add effects to my videos, but this will depend on each individual circumstance. Once I’ve finished making basic adjustments, I will also trim the footage so that I’m happy with everything that’s included. Note that I haven’t yet changed the text, and that’s primarily because it’s easier to sort out the videos before adjust anything else.

While you can add sound effects in Canva, I normally prefer to add music to my Reels when in the Instagram app. That way, I can use official tracks and not rely on music that can sometimes feel quite generic. Again, though, it’s worth experimenting here as you might be fine with doing most of your sound editing in Canva.

Before creating Reels on any platform, it’s worth checking out this full Instagram videos guide; all of your pressing questions are answered here.

3 Editing My Reel’s Fonts and Colors

Before I add text to my Reel, it’s easier to first adjust the colors and fonts. You can choose from several free Canva fonts, and if you have a premium subscription, you have even more choices. I normally prefer minimalistic fonts that look quite elegant, but I am also happy to experiment and adapt when needed.

I wanted to slightly adjust this Reel’s font and no longer wanted it to be italicized. I also changed the color from yellow to black because it was hard to see the text. For this reason, I also moved the text boxes and deleted some of the others that appeared.

When customizing your fonts and colors, you should also resize the text so that it’s attention-grabbing. If it’s too small, users will struggle to read it. And if the text is too big, it will look sloppy.

4 Making Sure That the Text Enhances the Story

I don’t think that it’s mandatory to add text to your Instagram Reels, and I really dislike it when creators add stuff to their content for the sake of it. I therefore try to use text sparingly; it should explain what the Reel is about and give minimal extra information.

If needed, you can share text on multiple parts of the Reel. For example, when recapping a trip, you can share the locations you recorded videos in so others can bookmark your suggestions.

In this example, I just wanted to share what the Reel is about; this was a quick recap for my close friends and family. If I created this on my public-facing account that I use for my blog, I likely would have gone into more detail.

Depending on the amount of text you have, you might need to further adjust your text positioning and size. It’s worth experimenting to see what works best for you.

5 Using High-Quality Videos From My Smartphone

I could use video footage from my mirrorless camera in Canva, but transferring them is often time-consuming. Moreover, I have more customization over my smartphone videos than camera files. What is particularly important, though, is that I use high-quality videos when capturing smartphone footage.

As I have an iPhone, I like taking most of my videos in Cinematic mode. Doing so means that I can adjust the aperture, which makes it significantly easier to get the depth that I want in my content. I will also sometimes use filters on my device to add some initial edits, and I’ve changed my settings to capture footage in 4K at 60 frames per second.

Even if your smartphone doesn’t have the highest-quality video, maximizing this is still a good idea. 1080p will work in most cases for good video content, and you should also focus on your subject. Thinking about what you film in advance is wise, and you can use storyboarding apps to visualize your ideas.

6 Adding Multiple Videos and Photos to My Reel

You can get super creative with your Reels. For example, you can add more than one video to the same page by picking a frame (from Elements) that has more than one space for videos. Moreover, you can also include images.

Another potential option is to add one video and one picture to parts of your Reel; this is especially worth trying if you also enjoy taking pictures. Many of the frames available don’t require a Canva Pro subscription, so you can see which ones interact the best with your videos.

7 Including a CTA

If you want people to take action, adding a call to action (CTA) is vital. You can include this in your caption on Instagram; something like “click on the link in my bio” or “check out my page for more” will work just fine. You can, however, add CTAs in the Canva app.

To add a CTA in Canva, you can always create a new text box. Adding an emoji can draw attention (if used sparingly), so you should also consider doing this.

Canva is one of my favorite apps for creating Instagram Reels, and I follow the same process for most of my videos. While I experiment with different frames and such, following this workflow at least makes everything much easier to navigate. If you don’t know where to start, I recommend using the tips you’ve learned today and building from there.