If you’re knee-deep in digital product creation, chances are you’re using Canva—a lot. And if that’s the case, you’ve probably noticed how quickly things can get messy.
Between designing, uploading images, and juggling multiple projects, your Canva workspace can easily turn into a chaotic mess. But don’t worry—getting organized isn’t as hard as it seems, and it can make a world of difference in how smoothly your workday goes.
Whether you’re a seasoned Canva pro or just getting your feet wet, this post will walk you through some of the key things you need to know to keep your Canva account tidy and efficient.
The Importance of an Organized Canva Workspace
First things first, why should you even care about organizing your Canva account?
Well, an organized workspace isn’t just about being neat and tidy—it’s about saving time, reducing stress, and boosting your productivity.
Here’s how:
- Boost Your Productivity: When everything in your Canva account has its place, you can find what you need in seconds. That means less time hunting for designs and more time creating and marketing your products.
- Cut the Stress: Let’s face it, searching for that one design you know you made three months ago can be a headache. An organized account eliminates that stress and lets you work with peace of mind.
- Teamwork Made Easy: If you’re working with a team, an organized Canva account is a lifesaver. Everyone can find what they need quickly, which means projects get done faster and with less confusion.
- Stay Focused: A cluttered digital space can be super distracting. When your Canva account is organized, you can stay focused on what really matters—creating and sharing your products.
Canva’s Homepage vs. Projects Page
Okay, so let’s talk about where all the magic happens in Canva—your Projects page.
Sure, the homepage is great for quick access to recent designs, but it’s not exactly a powerhouse when it comes to organization.
The Limitations of the Canva Homepage
The Canva homepage is all about quick access. You’ve got your “Recent Designs” section, which is handy if you just want to grab something you worked on recently.
But here’s the catch: it’s basically a never-ending list of everything you’ve touched, in order of most recent edits.
No folders, no batch actions—just a big ol’ list.
The Power of the Projects Page
Now, the Projects page? That’s where you want to be for serious organization. It’s like your command centre for all things Canva.
Here, you can create custom folders to keep your designs, images, and assets neatly categorized. Plus, the Projects page lets you batch move or delete items, saving you tons of time and effort.
So, unless you’re just popping in to make a quick edit or start something new, I’d highly recommend working from the Projects page as it gives you way more control over your stuff and keeps everything nice and tidy.
Building Your Folder System
The heart of an organized Canva account is going to be your custom folders, which will enable you to categorize your designs and assets in a way that makes sense for your workflow. These bad boys are going to be your best friends when it comes to keeping things in order.
Setting Up Your Folders
To create a custom folder, head over to the Projects area and click on the “Add new” button in the top right corner.
Give it a name that makes sense for what you’re storing, like “Digital Products,” “Course Content,” or “Social Media Graphics,” and start organizing your designs into subfolders.
For example, if you’re creating digital planners, you might set up folders like “Planner Templates,” “Sticker Designs,” and “Product Mockups.” Each of these can then have subfolders to further categorize your designs, such as by “Monthly Planners,” “Weekly Planners,” or even by specific themes or collections.
Tips for Organizing Your Folders
Here are a few tips to keep your folders working for you.
- Keep It Simple: Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many top-level folders. Stick to around 12-13, so you don’t have to scroll forever to find what you need.
- Name Folders Clearly: Make sure each folder name gives you a clear idea of what’s inside. This will save you from playing the guessing game later on.
- Think Ahead: As your business grows, so will your Canva account. Set up a flexible folder structure that can expand with you, rather than one that boxes you in.
For example, if you sell digital printables, your folder structure might include top-level folders like “Printables,” with subfolders for “Wall Art,” “Calendars,” and “Invitations,” each further organized by size or occasion.
Deleting and Managing Folders
If you find yourself with a folder you don’t need anymore, it’s easy to delete it. Just click the three dots on the folder and select “Delete.” Keeping things streamlined is key to maintaining a clutter-free account.
Organizing Your Uploads
Let’s talk about that “Uploads” folder. It’s the default spot where all your images and videos land when you upload them to Canva.
But here’s the thing—this folder can turn into a black hole if you’re not careful. Instead of letting everything pile up here, move your uploads into custom folders as soon as they hit your account.
For digital product sellers, you might have folders specifically for “Stock Photos,” “Illustrations,” or “Product Mockups,” which you can further break down into more specific categories.
If your Uploads folder is already out of control, don’t sweat it. Take some time to sort through it and batch move your files into specific folders. Your future self will thank you.
File Naming and Image Tagging
Another crucial aspect of Canva organization is how you name your files and tag your images.
Use Descriptive File Naming
Set up a naming system that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.
For example, instead of “Instagram Post,” go with something like “July 2024 Instagram Promo – Summer Sale.” This way, when you use Canva’s search feature, you’ll be able to pull up exactly what you need in no time.
For digital product sellers, you might use names like “January Planner Cover – 2024 Edition” or “Floral Sticker Set – Spring Collection.”
Clear, descriptive names make it much easier to locate the specific designs you need, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects.
Leveraging Image Tagging in Canva Pro
For Canva Pro users, the image tagging feature can be a great option for those who want to add another layer of searchability to their account.
However, tagging is totally optional. If you’ve got a solid folder system in place, you might not need to use tags at all. But if you find that tagging helps you locate your content faster, it’s a handy feature to have.
To tag an image, hover over it, click the three dots, and select “Add Tags.” You can add keywords that describe the content, like “planner,” “holiday,” or “minimalist,” depending on what makes sense for your products.
For example, if you sell digital stickers, you could tag your images with terms like “sticker,” “planner accessory,” or “halloween.”
But again, if your folders are doing the heavy lifting in keeping things organized, feel free to skip tagging. The key is to find the balance that works best for you.
Batch Organizing for Maximum Efficiency
Once you’ve got your folders set up and your files are named and tagged, it’s time to get those designs and images where they belong. Canva’s batch organizing feature is your best friend here.
How to Batch Organize in Canva
Batch organizing in Canva is simple. Go to the Projects page, hover over the files you want to move, and select the checkboxes. Then, just click the folder icon at the bottom of the screen and choose where you want to move them.
This is perfect for organizing a bunch of designs at once, like all your “Product Mockups” or “Printable Templates.”
For example, if you sell digital planners, you might batch organize all your “Daily Planner Pages” into one folder or move all your “Sticker Sheets” into a dedicated subfolder.
Batch organizing is a huge time-saver and helps you keep everything in its proper place without feeling overwhelmed.
Maintaining Your Organization System
Getting organized is one thing, but staying organized? That’s the real challenge. Luckily, with a little regular maintenance, you can keep your Canva account in good working order.
Set a reminder to check in on your Canva folders weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—whatever works best for you. Move files where they need to go, archive old designs, and make sure everything’s named correctly. This regular upkeep will keep your account from getting cluttered again.
Also, plan for a deep clean periodically. Use this time to reassess your folder structure, combine or delete folders if needed, and make sure your system is still serving you well.
The Long-Term Benefits of Getting Organized in Canva
Putting in the effort to organize your Canva account isn’t just about being neat—it’s about working smarter, not harder.
A well-organized Canva workspace will save you time, reduce stress, and make it easier to focus on what really matters: creating and growing your business.
Whether you’re just starting with Canva or tackling years of accumulated designs, following these tips will help you create a workspace that supports your creativity and efficiency.
With a solid organization system in place, you’ll be ready to take your digital product business to the next level.
Ready to Take Your Canva Organization to the Next Level?
If you’re feeling inspired to get your Canva account in order but need a little more guidance, I’ve got just the thing for you. The Clean Up My Canva course is a comprehensive, step-by-step program designed to help you tackle even the most cluttered Canva accounts.
Inside the course, you’ll find:
- Short, actionable video lessons that walk you through every aspect of Canva organization.
- Proven strategies for setting up a folder system that works for your unique needs as a digital product seller.
- Tips and tricks for maintaining an organized workspace, so you can keep your account tidy long after the initial clean-up.
Why struggle with a chaotic Canva account when you can have a streamlined, efficient workspace that saves you time and reduces stress?
Join Clean Up My Canva today and get the clarity and control you need to focus on what really matters—growing your business.
Click here to sign up and start transforming your Canva workspace now!