Branding is everything, and with platforms like Canva and the rise of AI, it might seem easier than ever just to do it all yourself.
And there’s no denying the benefits of something like Canva. It’s quick, it’s affordable, and if you’re starting a business with minimal experience in graphic design, Canva can appear the ideal solution.
But while DIY branding has its perks, relying on pre-made templates could hold your business back in the long run.
In today’s blog, we’ll be looking at the limitations, and the risks, of using Canva for your branding.
Canva’s licensing restrictions
A common misconception is that, when you make a logo on Canva using their pre-made graphics, then that logo legally belongs to you.
In reality, no matter how much you tweak those graphics, you don’t own it. Unless you’re only using the simplest lines and shapes for the logo, you’re essentially just renting it. Canva’s terms and conditions state that designs using their own graphics can’t be trademarked, so if you intend to use them in any official capacity, you won’t have full ownership- nor will you have legal protection.
How might this actually affect your business? Well, if you’re just starting out, it probably won’t affect you any time soon. But as any business grows, they’ll eventually need to think about trademarking their logo. And if your logo uses assets from Canva, you won’t be able to do this. Ultimately, this means that if any other company used something that resembles your logo anywhere in their branding, there’s not much you’d be able to do about it.
The risk of your branding overlapping with other branding
Many, many people all around the world are using Canva assets for their business, be it for the occasional social media post, or for their official logo. The problem is that even with the paid version, there’s only so many assets available. This means that unless you’re bringing something entirely unique to your design, there’s a chance that someone, somewhere, is using a logo that looks more or less identical.
Now, obviously that’s not a problem specific to Canva logos. In this day and age, it’s unlikely that a new logo will bear absolutely zero resemblance to any logo that’s come before it- especially the more minimalist designs. But since Canva logos are using a set amount of specific assets, the likelihood of branding overlap is a lot higher than for logos designed by a creative agency like Designtastic.
Why your business needs a ‘proper’ logo
For many businesses, particularly online businesses, your logo will often be a customer’s first impression of your entire brand identity. And regardless of how unique you deem your Canva logo, it’s possible that prospective customers or clients will instead find it generic. And the worst part? You couldn’t even really blame them. After all, while it might look nice, a logo made with nothing but Canva assets is arguably the definition of generic.
By working with a creative agency that has significant experience in building brands, you’ll end up with full ownership of a unique logo that communicates your brand’s values and personality- and, crucially, looks good!
Conclusion (do you own your Canva logo?: the downsides of DIY branding)
It’s no surprise that Canva and similar platforms are so popular with startup brands. But the more logos churned out using pre-made assets, the less unique those logos become. Outsourcing your branding to a creative agency might seem the pricier option, but you’ll ultimately end up with a unique, eye-catching logo that truly reflects your brand identity. So, if you’re serious about your business and you’re serious about your branding… get in touch today!
