What Are the Differences Between Editable and Non-Editable Canva Elements?

Canva offers many types of elements.

From the Elements tab, you could access shapes, graphics, stickers, images, and videos.

Two Fireworks Graphics on Black Background

Stickersanimated illustrationscannot be edited at all.

Images and videos can be edited with theEdit PhotoorEdit Videooptions, often relating to colors and effects.

There are still ways it’s possible for you to change the colors of these non-editable elements, though.

Canva Graphic Elements

you might even create these elements in external software to upload to Canva for future color-changing edits.

If your chosen graphic is editable, follow the steps below to change its colors.

Recolor any of the swatches you wish to change and as many times as you want.

Editable Canva Elements with Color Palette Swatches

Unfortunately, it’s possible for you to’t store your newly colored graphic element.

Even if youfavorite the Canva element, the colors will revert to the originals upon the next use.

If the color swatches do not appear, it’s a non-SVG element.

Canva Element with Red Color Scheme

If you selected Edit Photo, selectEffectsin the left panel.

Then scroll down tofxEffectsand selectDuotone.

If you selected Edit Image, the menu will be different.

Canva Element with Edit Image Option

Scroll down to theYou may also likesection, where youll findDuotonealong withmany other Canva apps.

Alternatively, you’ve got the option to bang out “Duotone” into the search bar.

Duotone is a photo editing technique that uses two colors to tint an image.

Duotone App in Canva Image Edit Options

Traditionally, this is used in lighting or editing for traditional photography.

You cancreate a similar duotone effect in Adobe Photoshop.

But when you’re working with non-editable elements, Duotone can be the saving grace for color editing.

Duotone Color Options in Canva

you could choose from over 20 duotone color options.

Selecting a preset will apply it to your element as a color tint.

When selected, it will tint your image with the two selected colors mixed together.

Orange Duotone Christmas Tree on Canva

While the controls may not allow precise recoloring of your element, they can give you more desirable results.

The Duotone controls include Highlights and Shadows color swatches and an Intensity slider.

Orange Christmas Tree with Duotone Settings on Canva

Yellow Christmas Tree with Yellow Duotone Settings on Canva