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How to Fill Letters with Images or Videos in Canva

Published in Canva Text Effects 4 mins read

Here is the exact answer to the question "How to fill letters on Canva?".

Filling letters in Canva allows you to place images, videos, or other elements inside text outlines, creating visually dynamic effects. This is often referred to as a "text fill" effect.

The most common way to fill letters with elements like images or videos in Canva involves using the text box as a mask or container. Here’s how you can do it, incorporating details from the provided reference:

Steps to Create a Text Fill Effect

  1. Add Your Text: Start by adding a text box to your design page. Type the word or phrase you want to fill. For the best results, use a thick, bold font as this provides more area for the fill element to show through.
  2. Prepare the Text: Increase the font size and position your text as needed. If you have multiple letters or words, you might arrange them and ensure they are aligned, as suggested in the reference ("Them equally and align them beautifully").
  3. Find Your Fill Element: Go to the Elements tab in the Canva editor. Search for the type of element you want to use as a fill.
    • For Videos: Search for videos. The reference specifically mentions searching for "blue smoke" and selecting a "video format". You can search for abstract backgrounds, textures, or specific themes like smoke.
    • For Images: Search for photos or graphics. Look for textures, patterns, landscapes, or any image you'd like to place inside your text.
  4. Place the Element Inside Letters: Once you've found the desired element (like the "blue smoke" video from the reference), drag it directly onto the text box. Canva is designed so that when you drag an image or video onto a text box, it often automatically clips the element inside the shape of the letters.
    • According to the reference snippet, after selecting the video, you would "place this video in all the letters." This suggests dragging the element onto each letter or text box you want to fill.
  5. Adjust the Fill: After placing the element, you can adjust its position and size within the text.
    • The reference notes, "Now double-click the first letter." Double-clicking the filled text box allows you to move, resize, and reposition the image or video inside the letter outlines without changing the text itself. This lets you control which part of the image/video is visible through the text.

Alternative Fill Methods (Standard Text Editing)

While the method above creates a masked fill effect with images or videos, Canva's standard text editing tools also offer simpler ways to "fill" letters:

  • Solid Color: Select the text and use the text color tool in the toolbar to choose any solid color.
  • Gradients: Some fonts or text effects might allow applying gradient colors directly to the text fill through the text color or effects panel.
  • Patterns/Textures: Canva sometimes offers pattern or texture fills directly within the text editing options, depending on the specific text effect or font chosen.

The most dynamic and visually striking way to "fill letters" typically refers to the process of clipping images or videos inside the text outline, as detailed in the primary steps.

Step Action Detail (Based on Reference)
1. Start Text Add text to your design. Use a bold font for better visibility. Align multiple letters.
2. Find Element Search for an element (image or video). Go to Elements. Search for videos like "blue smoke". Select format.
3. Fill Text Drag the element onto the text box. "Place this video in all the letters."
4. Adjust Double-click to reposition fill element. "Now double-click the first letter."

By using these steps, you can effectively fill letters in Canva with various visual elements, creating eye-catching text effects for your designs.

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