A Canva Text Effects Alternative

Canva's text effects cover shadows, outlines, neon and curved text. When you need more — several stacked outlines, real 3D depth, glitter, bubble letters or a cut file — make the lettering here from your own words, then place the transparent PNG or SVG in your Canva design. No sign-up.

Free while in beta · No sign-up · Transparent PNG, SVG, JPG and print-ready PDF

Lettering you can bring into Canva

Every example below is a real style in the tool. Tap one to open it, then change the word.

How it works

  1. 1Type your words

    The headline or name you want to stand out in your Canva design. Up to 24 characters.

  2. 2Pick a style

    Stacked outlines, 3D, glitter, bubble letters. Every card shows your own words.

  3. 3Place it in Canva

    Download a transparent PNG (or an SVG) and upload it to Canva like any image. No account here.

When Canva is enough, and when it isn’t

Canva’s built-in text effects are quick and cover a lot: a drop shadow, a glow, an outline, a neon look, a background behind the words, and curved text. For a social post, that is often all you need.

Some looks take more than one effect per word, and that is where people get stuck: three or four outlines stacked like a sticker, letters with real 3D sides, glitter inside the letters, or puffy bubble letters. Canva’s Help Center points to apps such as TypeExtrude for adding depth. Here those looks are finished styles: type your words, pick one, and download.

You wantWhere to make it
A shadow, a glow, neon or curved textCanva’s Effects panel
Several stacked outlines (sticker look)Outline Text Generator
Letters with 3D depth3D Text Generator
Glitter lettersGlitter Text Generator
Bubble lettersBubble Letter Generator
A cut file for Cricut or SilhouetteText SVG for Cricut & Silhouette

Bringing it into Canva

  1. Type your words here and pick a style.
  2. Download a transparent PNG. It comes out large, so it stays crisp when you resize it in Canva.
  3. In Canva, upload the file and drag it onto your design. Resize and place it like any image.
  4. To change the words later, open the downloaded file here again, edit, and re-upload.

For print

If the design is going to a print shop, the lettering can also come out as a print-ready PDF in print colors (CMYK) with bleed and crop marks — open the style in the editor (tap Customize more) and export the PDF. More: why Canva colors print duller and a Canva alternative for print and cut files.

More text styles

FAQ

Text logos
QWhich text effects does Canva have?
Canva’s Help Center groups them as Style (Drop, Glow, Echo, Outline, Background, Splice), Color (Hollow, Glitch, Neon) and Shape (Curve). Check the Effects panel in Canva for the current set.
QHow do I put the text into Canva?
Download a transparent PNG and upload it to Canva — everything around the letters stays see-through, so it sits on any photo or background. You can also upload the SVG.
QIs DecoTecoPop affiliated with Canva?
No. Canva is a trademark of its owner. The name is used only to describe how the tools work together.
QCan I change the words later?
Yes. The files you download keep the editing data inside. Open the file here again, change the words, and download it again for Canva.
QIs it really free? Do I need to sign up?
There is no sign-up and no account. Every feature, including transparent PNG and SVG download, is free while the tool is in beta. Anything you make during the beta stays yours to use.
QCan I get a transparent PNG?
Yes. Export as PNG without a background and everything around the letters is transparent, so you can drop the logo on a photo, a video or a colored page.

Make the lettering, then use it in Canva

No sign-up. Free while in beta. · Browse all styles