How to Use a Green Screen on Canva

A green screen is an effective tool to get things done – and it’s not restricted to the entertainment world. If you want to create a quality visual in Canva, a green screen can be an excellent way to get things done. However, it may be a little tricky to understand how to use a green screen in Canva on your first try.

If you’re interested in using a green screen on Canva, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the process, step-by-step. The more you practice with this unique tool, the better you will get at it. Soon, you will have advanced images in no time at all. Let’s get started.

Make A Green Screen

You need a green screen to use the benefits that come with it. The most affordable option is to create a green screen yourself. It might sound tricky, but there isn’t too much involved with making a green screen without professional help on hand.

Here is how you can make a green screen:

  1. Invest in a roll of green fabric or paper
  2. Ensure it is wrinkle free
  3. Hang the green screen or place it where you need it to go

You have an effective tool after these steps.

Alternatively, you can paint a wall green for a similar effect. Get a low sheen paint and ensure you use a wall that is allowed to be green. It won’t be practical to cover it up unless you use a tapestry or large painting. Once you have your area mapped out, it’s time to create a video or an image.

Video With Proper Techniques

Whether you take a video or a picture on the green screen, it’s critical to use proper techniques. If you don’t take time, the green screen result will appear unnatural and off-putting.

Here are the best techniques to keep in mind:

  1. Wear The Proper Clothes
  2. Utilize The Right Lighting
  3. Use The Correct Distance

These will ensure your result looks professional.

Let’s discuss these techniques to ensure you know what you’re doing before starting. To use a green screen on Canva, you need to take advantage of the green screen. These might seem minor, but they can make all the difference in your shooting process.

Wear The Proper Clothes

If you or another person plans on being in the images, you need to plan the wardrobe. You can’t wear anything – some types of clothing will mess with the green screen effect and ruin the editing process at the end.

Here are a few types of clothes you should not wear:

  • Reflective clothing
  • Green
  • Shiny accessories

If you steer away from these, you should be okay.

The green screen can limit your outfit possibilities. If you want green images, it may be better to go with something else for your image background. However, if anything else works, you are good to go.

Utilize The Right Lighting

Lighting matters when making a video or taking a picture for your Canva creation. Clean lighting will prevent unnecessary glares, spots, and shadows from taking over your shot. You typically need at least three sources of light for the ideal result in your image – one from the front and each side.

Here are some lighting tools you need to create the best final result:

  • Softboxes to help distribute light
  • Lights that help indoors and outdoors
  • Other tools like sheets to assist with even lighting

You can get creative with the tools you use to push the light from one place to another.

The right lighting can take a regular room and transform it into a coffee shop. If you have a particular look you want for your Canva project, lighting needs to be part of your green screen endeavor. It will make the final product much more convincing than it would be without the illumination. Aim for three lights on the subject for a realistic finish.

Use The Correct Distance

The green screen is most effective if you keep the subject a solid distance away from the sheet or wall. If they are too close, everything blends. If they are too far, it may be tricky for the green screen effects to look realistic in the final product.

Generally, the further away the subject is from the green screen, the better. Not everyone has the room in their home or studio to push their subject away from the green screen. If this statement applies to you, lighting needs to become a critical part of the image.

Without it, the subject will look like they are on a fake background no matter what you do.

Edit The Video or Image

Now that you have the footage, it’s time to edit the video or picture. This part is the trickiest for those who have never used a green screen. How do you take raw footage of a green background and transform it into something usable on Canva?

Luckily, several platforms allow easy editing of green screen images. A few of the best include:

  • Canva Video Editor
  • Kapwing
  • WeVideo

These will guide you through the process.

Download the image or video to save it to your computer. Once you have your edited image or video, it’s time to place it in Canva. This step is the final one before you receive your end product.

Insert The Video or Image

Now, it’s time to locate the template you want on Canva. You may need an Instagram story format for your company or a website template for your professional site. Whatever the case, it’s critical to select one that works with what you need.

Take the video or image and insert it into the template of your choice. You can readjust and rearrange items to your heart’s content once inside the Canva platform. Once you have your final product, post it and wait for the compliments to pour in.