How do you set up a Canva template for design automation?

Setting up a Canva template for automation means organizing your design so Layerre can detect and override the right elements. The goal: every element that changes between variants should be on its own separate layer.

Best practices for automation-ready Canva templates:

1. Keep dynamic elements on separate layers

Don't group elements that change independently. If the headline and subtitle change separately, they should be separate text layers, not one text box.

2. Set up text layers for variable-length content

• Use auto-resize text boxes when possible
• Test with short and long text to ensure the design still looks good
• Consider maximum character limits for each field

3. Prepare image layers

• Size image placeholders to the maximum expected dimensions
• Use "Fill" or "Fit" mode so replaced images scale correctly
• Keep image layers at the right z-order (behind or in front of text as needed)

4. Share the design

Create a shareable link in Canva (Share → Copy link). This is what you'll paste into Layerre to import the design.

5. Test the import

After importing into Layerre, verify that:

• All dynamic layers were detected
• You can map each layer to your data in the Layerre editor or API
• Test a render with sample data to check the output

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Flattened groups that contain multiple dynamic elements
• Overly complex designs with 50+ layers (keep it manageable)
• Forgetting to share the design before trying to import