Canva Craft: how to use Canva’s new AI image generator (and what makes it different)
Canva has launched Craft, its first in-house AI image model, trained on design templates instead of photos. Here's how to use it in Dream Lab, what it's good at, and how it compares.
Canva, the design app used by millions of people for social posts, presentations and posters, has launched its first in-house AI image generator. It’s called Canva Craft, and it’s available to all Canva users starting now.
Until now, Canva’s AI image features mostly used models from other companies. With Craft, Canva is competing directly with image tools from OpenAI, Google, Meta and ByteDance.
What makes Canva Craft different?
Trained on designs, not photos
Most AI image models learn from huge numbers of photographs. Canva says Craft was trained on human-designed templates from its own library, such as posters, social media posts, presentations, infographics and menus. That’s why it focuses on designs, not just pretty pictures.
It plans before it draws
Craft works in two steps:
- It first plans the image: where things go, how big they are, what’s most important, and what text to include.
- Then it creates the image at up to 2K resolution in 30 different shapes (aspect ratios).
Better text and small edits
AI images often have messy, unreadable text. Canva says Craft produces clear, readable text and accurate details. You can also edit one part of an image without changing the rest.
How to use Canva Craft (step by step)
- Open Canva on the web or in the app and log in.
- Go to Dream Lab. It’s in the side panel at the lower left.
- Describe what you want. Be specific about the style, colors, layout and any text. For example: “A bright summer sale poster with the text ‘50% OFF’, orange and yellow colors, minimal style.”
- Choose the size or aspect ratio you need, for example square for Instagram or tall for Stories.
- Generate, then pick your favorite result.
- To change it further, use Canva Magic to turn the image into a layered design, so you can move text and objects separately.
Tip: because Craft was trained on designs, prompts that describe a layout (such as “headline at the top, product in the center, logo at the bottom”) tend to work better than vague descriptions.
Craft’s big promise is simple: AI images that already look like finished designs, with text you can actually read.
How good is it?
On DesignArena, a public leaderboard where people vote between images from different AI models, Craft debuted in 4th place overall, with only OpenAI models above it, according to BetaNews. It also ranked 1st in the “People & Portraits” and “Landscapes & Nature” categories.
Leaderboards change quickly, so these rankings may move, but it’s a strong start for a first model.
For developers: Craft in the Canva API
- Developers can use Craft through Canva’s Connect API with the model name
craft_v1_2k. - Each request uses the account’s AI credits and takes about 50–60 seconds.
- Canva plans to bring Craft to chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini through its MCP connection, which is “coming soon”.
- Two faster and cheaper versions, Craft-fast and Craft-ultrafast, are in development.
Why Canva built its own model
Using other companies’ AI models is expensive. Canva says Craft should lower its costs and give it more control over quality and speed. Researchers from Leonardo.ai, an AI image company Canva bought in 2024, helped build it.
It also arrives at an important time: reports say Canva lowered its 2026 growth forecast, and AI tools are now a key way for design apps to stand out.
Frequently asked questions
What is Canva Craft?
It’s Canva’s first in-house AI image generation model, built by its research team. It creates images and designs from text descriptions.
Is Canva Craft free?
Canva says Craft is available to all users in Dream Lab. AI features in Canva use AI credits or usage limits that depend on your plan, so check your account for how many generations you have.
Where do I find Canva Craft?
Open Dream Lab from the lower-left side panel in Canva.
Was Canva Craft trained on my designs?
Canva says it was trained on human-designed templates from its own library. Check Canva’s privacy settings and policies for details on how your own content is used.
Can developers use Canva Craft?
Yes, through the Canva Connect API using the model name craft_v1_2k. Requests use AI credits.
