Frames in Canva are one of the best ways to add creativity and flexibility to your designs. The problem? Canva’s library of frames can feel pretty limited, and if you want something custom, you’ll usually need to purchase or download it elsewhere - the options are pretty limited!
The good news: you can make your own Canva frame for free in just a few minutes using a free online tool called Photopea. Photopea works just like Photoshop, but it’s browser-based and 100% free to use - no downloads required.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you step by step through how to make a custom frame and upload it back into Canva.
Step 1: Upload Your Image to Canva
Start by uploading the image you want to turn into a frame. This could be anything - a shape, a piece of clipart, an image, or even your own custom graphic.
For this example I'm using our Torro logo!
Step 2: Remove the Background
Use Canva’s background remover tool (available with Pro, or you can use a free alternative like remove.bg if needed). The goal here is to have only your shape isolated without any background.
.png?width=670&height=670&name=3%20(2).png)
Step 3: Download as a PNG
Once your background is gone, download your image as a PNG with a transparent background. This step is crucial, otherwise your frame won’t work correctly later on.
Step 4: Open Photopea
Go to Photopea.com and upload the PNG you just downloaded.
Step 5: Select the Pixels
-
In the Layers panel, right-click on the background layer.
-
Choose Select Pixels.
This will outline the shape of your image.
Step 6: Convert to Path
Switch over to the Paths panel.
-
At the bottom, click the fourth icon (it looks like a square with a dotted outline).
-
Select Selection to Path.
This turns your image outline into a vector path that Canva will recognize as a frame.
Step 7: Add a Vector Mask
-
Go to the Layer menu in the top left.
-
Choose Vector Mask → Current Path.
Now your shape is masked and ready to export as a frame.
Step 8: Export as a PDF
-
Go to File → Export As → PDF.
-
Save the file to your computer.
Step 9: Upload to Canva
Head back into Canva, go to Uploads, and drag in your new PDF file.
Step 10: Test Your Frame
Once uploaded, place the frame on your design.
-
Right-click (or left-click depending on your device) and select Detach Image to test it out.
-
You should now be able to drag and drop any photo into your new custom frame - just like the ones Canva provides!
Final Thoughts
With this method, you’re no longer limited to Canva’s built-in frame library. You can create frames in any shape or style you want - all for free - using just Canva and Photopea.
This opens up endless creative possibilities: custom logos, silhouettes, unique layouts, and more. Once you’ve made your first frame, the process only takes a few minutes.
Now you’re ready to design like a pro, without spending extra money on third-party elements!
Visual learner? I've got you covered here:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a Canva Pro account to make custom frames?
Nope! You only need Canva Pro if you want to use the built-in background remover tool. If you don’t have Pro, you can use a free site like remove.bg to cut out your image background before moving to Photopea.
Can I make a text-shaped frame in Canva?
Yes! You can type text in Canva or Photopea, convert it into a transparent PNG, and follow the same steps. The end result is a frame shaped like your chosen word or letter.
Can I make irregular or abstract shapes into frames on Canva?
Yes! As long as you can isolate the shape and convert it into a path in Photopea, Canva will recognize it as a frame. This is perfect for blob shapes, brush strokes, or other unique outlines.
