Design inbox-winning emails
Canva is a powerful image-editing tool, and Klaviyo's new Canva integration makes it easier than ever to bring Canva designs into your emails. To create eye-catching, effective emails, follow these 3 best practices.
Personalize your emails with on-brand design elements
Canva's tools let you create polished and unique images. However, image-only emails can hurt deliverability and accessibility because inbox providers look for a balance of text and images, and fully image-based emails aren't screen-reader-friendly. To maximize email deliverability and accessibility, use Canva to design key elements and then add supporting text directly in Klaviyo.
Create logos, headers, and backgrounds in Canva
Use Canva to craft custom logos, headers, backgrounds, and any other design elements that reflect your brand. With Klaviyo's Canva integration, you can easily import these design elements into Klaviyo with one click, making it easy to personalize your email's look and feel.
Aim for at least 60% text
After importing your Canva designs, add text and buttons in Klaviyo's email template editor to meet deliverability standards. Aim for at least 60% text to ensure your email meets inbox provider requirements. Use Klaviyo buttons as clear CTAs (calls-to-action) to guide customers to your site.
Make your images dynamic with GIFs
GIFs can add visual interest and make your emails more engaging. Use Canva's GIF maker to transform static images into eye-catching animations, then import them into Klaviyo like any other image. Adding a GIF can help capture attention and bring your email content to life.
Focus on the mobile experience
Most people open emails on their phones. Make sure they have the best experience by designing your emails with mobile users in mind.
Minimize Canva image file size
Mobile screens are smaller than desktop screens, so large images can appear distorted or load slowly. Use Canva's image size selector to resize images appropriately for mobile devices, ensuring they load quickly and look clear on all screen sizes.
Design with mobile-first principles
Klaviyo's email template editor lets you switch between desktop and mobile views. Design your emails with mobile viewing as the priority, then confirm that images are sized and aligned well for both desktop and mobile displays. You can even set different images for desktop and mobile if needed.
Preview your email on a mobile device
Once your email is ready, send yourself a preview and view it on a phone. This final quality check ensures that all Canva designs look and function as intended on mobile.
Design with accessibility in mind
Accessibility considerations ensure that everyone can access your Canva designs. Follow these tips to create accessible, inbox-friendly emails.
Add alt text to all images
Apply alt text to every image, including those from Canva, in Klaviyo's email template editor. Good alt text describes the image concisely, ensuring your message is clear even if images fail to load or if the recipient uses a screen reader. Including alt text can also boost deliverability.
Optimize for dark mode
Many users view emails in dark mode, which inverts colors and can affect your design. When transferring images from Canva, use the transparent background option to improve appearance in dark mode. Preview emails in dark mode whenever possible to check your designs.
Ensure sufficient color contrast
Canva lets you combine visuals and overlay text on images. Use high-contrast colors for readability, including for colorblind users, and consider darkening images first. Whenever possible, add text in Klaviyo's editor rather than as an overlay to improve accessibility.