If you want your designs to feel more realistic and grounded, adding shadows is one of the quickest ways to do it. In Canva, you do not need Photoshop to get the perfect shadow effect. You just need to know the right tools and techniques.
Here are 4 ways to create shadows in Canva that instantly add depth and professionalism to your designs.
The Easy Reflections app inside Canva lets you create realistic reflections under any image. It is perfect for:
Product photos
Posters
Banners
How to do it:
Search “Easy Reflections” in the Canva Apps section
Select your image
Remove the background
Apply the reflection and adjust the transparency
This method is especially good for product mockups, as it gives a professional and polished look.
This is a quick and easy way to add a subtle drop shadow beneath an object. It creates a natural lift and helps elements pop off the page.
How to do it:
Search “Black Oval Shadow” in Elements
Choose the shadow that fits your image
Place it under your design
Click Send to Back
Pro Tip: Adjust the transparency to make it look softer and more realistic.
Duotone is not just for colors. You can use it to create unique shadow effects by offsetting a gray version of your image behind the original.
How to do it:
Search “Duotone” in Effects
Click Custom and set both colors to light gray
Adjust the intensity for a subtle look
Slightly offset the image and Send to Back
This works well for minimalist designs and headers.
If you want a bit more flair, the duotone effect can be combined with a slight tilt for a 3D shadow effect.
How to do it:
Search “Duotone” and set it to light gray
Resize and rotate the duplicate slightly
Offset it behind the original
Click Send to Back
Perfect for carousels, headers, and cover designs. This effect makes it look like your object is floating above the surface.
Shadows can completely change the look and feel of your Canva designs. Use them to ground objects, create depth, and make your visuals look more professional.
Try out these four methods and see the difference it makes in your next design.
→ Download the PDF version below
Using templates is easy. Making them look custom is the real skill. In this tutorial, I show you how to take any Canva template and transform it into a polished, branded design by changing colors, textures, shadows, and layout step by step.
Learn four ways to create realistic shadows in Canva. This tutorial shows you how to add depth and dimension with Easy Reflections, Black Oval Shadows, and Duotone effects. Make your designs look more polished and professional with just a few clicks.
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