How to Make Your Images Pop with Outlines in Canva

Hello fellow creatives! My name is Dana and I‘m a graphic designer who loves finding new ways to make images stand out. Today I want to share one of my favorite techniques with you—adding outlines to images in Canva.

Outlining images, also known as adding borders or strokes, is a simple yet effective way to draw attention to key visual elements in your designs. It helps images "pop" off the background for added visual interest and emphasis.

Whether you‘re creating social media graphics, flyers, websites, or any other design project, outlined images can elevate your work to the next level. The best part is, it‘s super easy to do in Canva! I‘ll show you exactly how, step-by-step.

But first, let‘s talk about why you‘d want to outline images in the first place. There are a few key benefits:

3 Reasons to Outline Images in Your Designs

1. Make images stand out – Outlines help separate an image from its background so it grabs attention. This is especially useful when layering images with text or other graphics.

2. Add visual interest – Borders, even subtle ones, make images look more dynamic and intentionally styled compared to plain rectangular photos. Experiment with colors and thickness to suit your design‘s mood.

3. Create a consistent theme – Using the same outline treatment on multiple images helps tie them together visually. This is great for creating cohesive social media graphics or website layouts with a unified look.

Ready to try it yourself? Here‘s how to outline images in Canva, including a workaround for non-Pro users.

How to Outline an Image in Canva

Canva makes it easy to add outlines to any image with the Duotone effect. However, this feature is only available for Canva Pro subscribers. I‘ll share a Pro tutorial first, then provide an alternative anyone can use.

For Canva Pro Users:

Step 1: Open your Canva design and upload the image you want to outline. Click on the image to select it.

Step 2: Go to Edit Image and click BG Remover to remove the image background. Hit Apply. This works best on images where the subject has clear edges.

Step 3: With the cut-out image still selected, click Duplicate above the toolbar.

Step 4: Select the duplicated image layer. In the Edit Image panel, scroll down to Duotone. Click to apply.

Step 5: Use the color picker to choose your outline color. Bright and bold often works best. I‘ll choose a vivid pink here. Slide the intensity up to 100.

Step 6: Make the outlined layer slightly larger than the original image. Click and drag the circular handles at the corners to resize it evenly.

Step 7: Right-click the outlined layer and select Back > Move to Back to position it behind the main image. Adjust the size and alignment until you have an even "shadow" around the edges.

And voila! You have a striking outlined image to make your design pop. Experiment with different color combos, outline widths, and image subjects for endless creative possibilities.

For Non-Canva Pro Users:

While you won‘t have access to the BG Remover and Duotone tools without a subscription, you can still achieve a similar outlined effect in two ways:

Method 1 – Add a Shadow

Go to your image and select Edit Image > Shadows. Choose a preset shadow style or use the sliders to create a thick, even shadow around the entire image. Match the shadow color to your background for a cleaner outline look.

Method 2 – Use a Shape

This works best for images that are a standard shape like circles and squares.

Find a shape in Elements that matches your image. A thicker shape like the "Square blocks" or "Scribble speech bubble" work great as chunky borders.

Adjust the shape color and size. Make sure it‘s a bit larger than your image. Then drag the image on top and center align them. Group the two layers to hold them in place.

While not quite as polished looking as a true image outline, both of these alternatives will still help focus attention on your image. Keep refining your technique and you‘ll be an outlining pro in no time!

Outline Design Tips

As you start incorporating outlines into your designs, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Choose high-contrast colors. Make sure there‘s enough distinction between the outline and image subject. When in doubt, sample colors directly from the image for a cohesive look.

2. Consider outline thickness. Thinner outlines tend to look more sophisticated and subtle, while chunky outlines are bold and graphic. Adjust the weight to match your design style.

3. Don‘t overuse it. Outlining every single image can look heavy-handed. Select just one or two focal points to emphasize for maximum impact. Pair outlined images with clean, un-bordered ones for visual balance.

4. Keep accessibility in mind. Some outline colors may reduce visibility for people with visual impairments. Always preview your design in grayscale to check contrast levels.

5. Have fun and experiment! There are no hard rules with outlining. Play around with textures, brushstrokes, shadows, glows, and color combinations to discover your signature style.

Outlined Image Inspiration

Need some ideas for how to use outlined images in your projects? Here are a few examples:

Adding colorful outlines to icons and graphics helps them stand out against busy backgrounds on websites.

Outlining parts of your logo, like the text or icon, adds an extra branded detail. Perfect for displaying on patterned backgrounds.

Making text and graphics "glow" with a thick outline captures attention on posters and signs.

Carry a bold outline through the text and images for a trendy, editorial-inspired social media graphic.

I hope this gives you a good starting point for adding outlines to images in Canva! The possibilities really are endless, so dive in and start creating.

Be sure to share your own tips and results in the comments – I‘d love to see what you come up with. Feel free to ask any questions, too. Let‘s learn from each other and become outline masters together!

Happy designing,

Dana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an image outline?
An outline, also known as a border or stroke, is a line or shape that surrounds an image, separating it from the background. Outlines can be any color or thickness.

How do I change the image outline color in Canva?
When using the Duotone effect, simply click the colored circle and use the color picker tool to select your desired outline hue. If using a shape element, change the color under the Style tab in the toolbar.

Can I outline text in Canva?
Yes! Select your text, then go to Effects in the top toolbar. Choose "Neon" or "Splice" for a quick glow outline. Use the Shadows tool and crank up the intensity for a thicker outline.

What‘s the best outline color to use?
There‘s no single "best" color – it depends on your image and overall design palette. In general, high-contrast colors like black, white, or a bright complementary hue tend to make bolder outlines. When in doubt, sample a color directly from your image for easy coordination.

How do I remove the background of an image without Canva Pro?
While the BG Remover tool is a Pro feature, you can still erase image backgrounds using the free "Effects" tool. Select your image and go to Edit image > Effects. Adjust the Lux, Sharpness, Blur and other sliders until the background fades away, leaving just your subject.