How Do I Add an Outline to an Image in Canva?

To add an outline effect to an image in Canva, you typically use the photo editing tools, specifically the 'Shadows' feature, which includes options like 'Glow' or 'Outline' designed for this purpose.

## Steps to Outline an Image in Canva

Adding an outline to your image is a straightforward process using Canva's built-in effects. Follow these steps:

1.  **Select Your Image:** Open your design in Canva and click on the image you want to add an outline to.
2.  **Access Edit Photo:** In the toolbar that appears above the canvas, click on the **"Edit Photo"** button.
3.  **Find Effects:** Look for the section containing various photo effects. Scroll down until you find the **"Shadows"** category.
4.  **Choose the Outline Effect:** Within the "Shadows" options, click on either **"Glow"** or **"Outline"**. While "Glow" is often used for soft outlines, the "Outline" option (if available or under Glow settings) is specifically tailored for a defined border.
5.  **Adjust Settings:** After selecting the effect, click on the settings icon (often represented by three sliders or dots) next to the effect name. This opens the adjustment panel.

## Fine-Tuning Your Outline

Once the settings panel is open, you can customize the appearance of your outline:

*   **Size/Extremity:** Control the thickness or intensity of the outline. As mentioned in the reference, "You can make it extreme. Or not as extreme." Adjusting the **Size** slider determines how thick the outline appears around your image.
*   **Transparency:** Make the outline more or less opaque. Setting it to 100% makes it solid.
*   **Blur:** (Often available with Glow) This setting softens the edges of the outline. For a sharp outline, keep Blur at 0.
*   **Distance:** Control the offset of the outline from the image. "We can also change the distance of this outline if you want it to be a perfect outline." If you want a perfect, snug outline directly around your image edges, ensure the **Distance** is set to 0. Increasing the distance will shift the outline away from the image.
*   **Color:** Click on the color swatch to choose the color for your outline.

## Outline Settings Overview

Here's a quick look at the key settings you'll likely encounter:

| Setting     | Purpose                                     | Based on Reference? |
| :---------- | :------------------------------------------ | :------------------ |
| **Size**    | Controls the thickness (extremity) of the outline. | Yes ("extreme", "not as extreme") |
| **Distance** | Controls the offset from the image.           | Yes ("change the distance", "perfect outline") |
| **Transparency** | Adjusts the opacity of the outline.         | No (Common feature) |
| **Color**   | Sets the outline color.                     | No (Common feature) |
| **Blur**    | Softens the outline edge (often with Glow). | No (Common feature) |

## Tips for a Great Outline

*   For a clean, defined outline, set **Blur** to 0 and **Transparency** to 100%.
*   To ensure the outline hugs the image edges tightly, set **Distance** to 0.
*   Experiment with different colors to make your outlined image stand out against the background.

By using the "Shadows" effects and adjusting parameters like **Size** (Extremity) and **Distance**, you can effectively add and customize an outline around your image in Canva.