How to CREATE Instagram REELS with Canva

Hi everyone, Claire here! I'm a Canva Certified Creative, and in today's training video, I'll be showing you just some of the ways you can use Canva to create reels for Instagram. Let's dive into it!

Reels are all the rage on Instagram at the moment. But if you're anything like me, you may not feel confident in showing your face, talking, or dancing around and pointing. So today, I'm going to show you two ways you can create reels to share valuable content with your audience using Canva without showing your face.

Finding Instagram Reel Templates on Canva

The first thing I'm going to do is show you where you can find the reels within Canva. From your home page, you can search in the search bar for "Instagram Reel Video," and it will give you all the options. By selecting the top option, you will be taken to a library where you can either create a blank Instagram reel video and design your own, or you can choose from one of the pre-designed templates from the Canva creator library. There are lots of gorgeous templates here, but today I'm going to show you how to create your own.

Understanding Instagram Reel Dimensions

There are three ways that reels are viewed inside Instagram, so you need to think about the dimensions and bear these in mind:

Instagram Grid: My top tip here is to always make sure that the front page of your reel is an Instagram square, which will fit seamlessly into your Instagram grid.
Instagram Feed: This is when someone may view your reel within their feed without going into the app itself. It's essential to keep all your critical information and text within these dimensions, so it remains visible.
Instagram App: The reel will be fully visible when someone clicks on it in the app.

Creating Instagram Reels Using Canva

There are several ways to create reels in Canva, but today I'm going to show you two of my favorites.

Method 1: Using a Single Slide with a Video Tutorial

In this reel, you'll see that I've used one frame for the full duration of the reel itself. To create this effect, I recorded a short tutorial and narrated what I was doing.

Go to the Elements tab.
Find and select a frame that fits your video.
Resize and position the frame using grid lines for perfect alignment.
Upload your pre-recorded video via the Uploads tab.
Drag the video into the frame, making it fit seamlessly.

Decoration: You can add your branding by including shapes, colors, and text around the video frame. Make sure you use the Position button to layer your elements correctly.

Method 2: Using Multiple Slides with Timed Animations

In this reel, I demonstrated a feature step-by-step.

Create a blank Instagram reel with multiple pages.
For each step of the tutorial, take a screenshot and upload it to Canva.
Add arrows and text to each slide to create instructions.
Use the Timing button to adjust the duration each slide appears.
Add animations to make transitions smooth and engaging.

Adding Music: Canva has a wide range of music options to add to your video. Go to the Audio tab, select a piece of music, and drag it into your project.

Preview and Export

Always preview your work by pressing the play button to ensure all transitions and timings are correct. Once finalized, you can download the reel as an MP4 video and upload it directly to the Instagram Reels app.

Conclusion

There you go—two ways to create Instagram reels using Canva without having to show your face. These techniques are versatile and once you gain confidence, I encourage you to explore all that Canva has to offer to put your own creative stamp on your reels.

Thank you so much for reading this tutorial. The best piece of advice I can give when creating reels using Canva is to have fun, use your imagination, and explore the wonderful tools Canva has to offer. Everything is there for you to create captivating reels that will help you grow your visibility and your business.

I'd love to connect with you! Join my free Facebook group at the Content Styling Lounge or connect with me on Instagram @thecontentstylistuk. Good luck!

Keywords

Instagram Reels
Canva Tutorial
Video Creation
Content Branding
Social Media Tips
Animation
Video Editing

FAQ

Q: What are the dimensions to keep in mind when creating an Instagram reel? A: You need to consider three dimensions: Instagram Grid (a square image for seamless fit), Instagram Feed (account for critical info visibility), and the full Instagram App view.

Q: Can I use Canva for creating video tutorials? A: Yes, you can create video tutorials using Canva. You can record your screen, narrate the tutorial, and import it to Canva.

Q: How do I add text and graphics to my reel in Canva? A: You can add text by choosing the Text tool or typing 'T' as a shortcut. For graphics, go to the Elements tab, choose your desired element, and drag it into your project.

Q: Is it possible to add background music to my Canva reel? A: Yes, Canva allows you to add background music. Use the Audio tab to select from a range of available music tracks and drag it into your timeline.

Q: How can I ensure my reel is visually appealing and professionally aligned? A: Use Canva’s grid lines to ensure perfect alignment of your elements. You can also layer elements using the Position button to add a professional touch.