Creating Planner with me using Canva
Join me on this creative journey as we design a beautiful, functional planner using Canva’s powerful tools. Perfect for beginners and design enthusiasts alike!
Have you ever wanted to create your own personalized planner but didn’t know where to start? Today, I’m excited to walk you through my step-by-step process of designing a stunning planner using Canva. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to enhance your design skills, this tutorial will help you create something truly special.
What You’ll Learn
- ✨ How to set up your Canva workspace for planner design
- ✨ Choosing the perfect color palette and fonts
- ✨ Creating functional layouts for different planner pages
- ✨ Adding decorative elements and personal touches
Getting Started with Canva
First things first – let’s set up our workspace! Head over to Canva and create a new design. For planners, I recommend starting with a custom size of 8.5 x 11 inches, which is perfect for printing or digital use.
Once you’re in the editor, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the toolbar. The elements panel will be your best friend throughout this process – it’s where you’ll find lines, shapes, and decorative elements that will make your planner shine.
INSERT IMAGE: Canva workspace interface screenshot
Show the Canva editor with elements panel highlighted
Choosing Your Design Theme
This is where the magic begins! Your planner’s theme will set the tone for everything else. I love working with soft, calming colors that promote productivity and peace of mind. Think blush pinks, sage greens, and warm neutrals.
Pro Tip:
Create a color palette with 3-4 main colors and stick to it throughout your entire planner. This creates cohesion and makes your design look professional. You can find inspiration from Coolors.co or Pinterest mood boards.
Designing Your Cover Page
Your cover page is the first impression, so let’s make it count! Start with a beautiful background – you can use Canva’s gradient backgrounds or create your own using shapes and transparency effects.
Add your planner title using a script font (I love using fonts similar to Dancing Script for elegance). Don’t forget to include the year and perhaps a motivational quote that resonates with you. For more design inspiration, check out our planner design ideas post.
INSERT IMAGE: Beautiful planner cover page example
Show your finished cover design with title, year, and decorative elements
Creating Functional Layouts
Now for the fun part – creating the actual planner pages! Start with monthly layouts, then move to weekly and daily pages. Use Canva’s grid system to ensure everything is perfectly aligned.
INSERT IMAGE: Monthly and weekly layout examples side by side
Show both monthly calendar view and weekly spread layouts
Monthly Pages
Include calendar grids, goal sections, and habit trackers. These provide the big picture view of your month and help you plan major events and deadlines.
Weekly Spreads
Focus on weekly goals, priorities, and daily task sections. These are perfect for detailed planning and tracking your daily activities.
Adding Personal Touches
This is where your planner becomes uniquely yours! Add decorative elements like floral borders, geometric shapes, or hand-drawn doodles. Canva has an amazing selection of free elements, or you can upload your own graphics.
Consider adding sections that reflect your lifestyle – meal planning pages, fitness trackers, or reading logs. The beauty of creating your own planner is that it can be perfectly tailored to your needs. For more customization ideas, visit our personalized planner tips guide.
INSERT IMAGE: Complete planner with personal touches
Show various decorated pages with custom elements and personal sections
Essential Design Tips
Consistency is Key
Use the same fonts, colors, and spacing throughout your planner for a professional look.
White Space Matters
Don’t overcrowd your pages. Leave plenty of white space for writing and visual breathing room.
Test Before Printing
Always print a test page to check colors and sizing before printing your entire planner.
Your Planner Journey Begins
Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to create a beautiful, personalized planner using Canva. Remember, the best planner is one that you’ll actually use, so don’t be afraid to experiment and make it truly your own.
Creating planners has become one of my favorite creative outlets, and I hope this tutorial inspires you to start your own design journey. The possibilities are endless when you combine Canva’s powerful tools with your unique vision and creativity.
Ready to create more amazing designs? Check out our comprehensive Canva tutorials collection for more inspiration and step-by-step guides.
Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using #MyCanvaPlanner!
Last updated: June 15, 2025
Related: Digital Planning Tips • Canva Design Basics • Best Productivity Tools