Upload and Use OpenType Fonts in Canva (Access Ligature & Kerning)

⚠️ ACCOUNT REQUIREMENT WARNING:

The feature to upload custom fonts and utilize exclusive OpenType features such as ligatures and precise kerning adjustments is only available to users with Canva Pro, Canva for Teams, Canva for Education, and Canva for Nonprofits. This applies equally across Windows and macOS operating systems, whether using a web browser or the Canva desktop application.

Fonts featuring OpenType capabilities such as discretionary ligatures, stylistic alternates, and precise kerning allow us to create visual presentations that are elegant, distinctive, and professional.

Previously, utilizing advanced OpenType features was restricted to professional design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or FontLab. However, you can now bring your favorite custom OpenType fonts directly into the Canva platform.

Below is a step-by-step guide to uploading OpenType font files (.otf) and optimizing ligature and kerning features in Canva on both Windows and macOS.

How to Upload OpenType Fonts (.otf) to Canva

Before you can take advantage of custom characters, you need to upload your font file into your Canva Brand Kit.

Upload Steps (Windows & macOS):

1. Prepare Your Font File:
   Make sure you have extracted your font files and have them ready in .otf (OpenType Font) format. Note: Canva supports .otf, .ttf, and .woff, but the .otf format is the most highly recommended for advanced typography features.

2. Open Brand Kit in Canva:
   Log in to your Canva Pro account, then from the sidebar on the home page, select Brand (Brand Kit).

3. Locate the Fonts Section:
   Scroll down until you find the Brand Fonts section, then click the Upload a font button.

4. Select & Confirm License:
   Find the .otf file in your Windows Explorer or Mac Finder folder. Canva will display a copyright license confirmation dialog. Click “Yes, upload anyway!” if you hold a valid commercial license for the font.

5. Done:
   Your custom font is now saved in the Canva cloud and can be accessed across all your design projects.

Enable Kerning and Ligatures Directly in Canva

You can also enable Kerning and Ligatures in your design. Kerning adjusts spacing on particular character pairs where the spacing feels awkward. Ligatures are special glyphs in a font that combine two (or more) characters into one.

To enable or disable Kerning and Ligatures in your design:

1. Select text in the editor.
2. Go to the text settings menu.

3. Go to Advanced settings, then select More settings.

4. Go to the Advanced tab.

5. Under Typography, toggle Kerning and Ligatures on or off.
6. Select Change all.

Important Tips for Choosing OpenType Fonts for Canva

• Use the OTF Format: Always prioritize uploading the .otf version over .ttf so that all the font’s built-in OpenType feature tables are fully imported into the Canva system.
• Because fonts are uploaded through the Brand Kit, all team members belonging to your Canva for Teams workspace can use them immediately without needing to upload them separately on their individual computers.

💡 Want to use Swashes and Stylistic Alternates?

If you are working with decorative script or display fonts and want to explore advanced OpenType features like custom swashes and stylistic alternate glyphs, read our complete, dedicated guide here:

👉 Tutorial: Using Special Characters in Canva Pro

By harnessing the combination of Canva Pro’s flexibility and the rich character depth of OpenType features, you can now create high-end branding designs, posters, and social media materials without losing your premium typographic touch.

Related Post