Files & data
Canva integration: export designs and use them in posts
Connect your Canva account through the Canva Connect API. A workflow finds the design you prepared, exports it as an image and hands the link straight to a social post.
- Connection type
- OAuth
- Scope
- Per project: every brand connects its own account
- Capabilities
- workflow actions
- Setup time
- 5 min
What it does in OrqLabs
OrqLabs connects to Canva through the official Canva Connect API and a PKCE-protected OAuth consent screen. Only read permissions for designs are requested – your designs are never changed.
The Canva node has two operations: List designs searches your designs by title and returns each one with its thumbnail and edit link as a separate item; Export design exports a design as PNG, JPG or PDF, waits until the job is done and returns a download link per page.
Pass the exported link to the Media URLs field of the Publish post or Schedule post node: {{ [$json.url] }}. The links are valid for 24 hours, so for posts scheduled further out you can save the image to Dropbox first.
What you can automate
Instagram post from a design
Export design (JPG) → the Content Creator writes the caption → Publish post sends the image to Instagram, optionally after an approval step.
Carousels and multi-page designs
All pages of a multi-page design go into one post on platforms that support carousels via
{{ $json.urls }}.Campaign PDF
A brochure or proposal design is exported as a PDF, linked in an email or archived in Dropbox.
Design lists
Find designs with a given title using List designs and prepare a separate post draft for each one.
Nodes that use this integration
In the workflow editor these nodes run with your Canva account.
Canva
List designs · Export design
Setup at a glance
Go to Integrations → Canva → Connect and pick the project.
Choose your Canva account (and team) and click Allow.
Add the Canva node to a workflow and connect the Export design output to Publish post.
Requirements
- A Canva account, plus a license for any premium elements in the design.
- The platform's Connect integration, reviewed and approved by Canva.
Requested permissions
design:meta:readdesign:content:readasset:readprofile:read
Good to know
- Export links are valid for 24 hours.
- Canva limits each user to 20 export requests per minute and 75 exports per 5 minutes.
- Public use depends on the platform integration passing Canva's review.
Frequently asked questions
Can it change my Canva designs?
No. Only permissions to read the design list and export designs are requested – there is no permission to create or edit designs.
Which formats are supported?
PNG, JPG (quality 1–100) and PDF. Pick JPG for Instagram; width and page selection are optional.
Why does an export fail with 'license_required'?
The design contains a premium element your account hasn't licensed. License or replace it – see the Canva guide.
Get started with OrqLabs
Build your first workflow today
Start on the free plan: connect your accounts, pick a template and stay in control with approval steps. No credit card required.