Home / Beauty pros / Make an ebook in Canva

How to make an ebook in Canva using photos from your phone

By James Choo. Last updated November 14, 2026.

Step 1: How do you plan the ebook?

Write the steps on paper before you open Canva. One line per step, the way you would explain it to a junior. Ten to twenty steps is a good size for a first guide.

Add three extra pages to your plan: a cover, a “what you’ll need” list, and a “common mistakes” page. These are the pages buyers value most.

Step 2: How do you take good photos on your phone?

• Shoot near a window in daylight. Turn off overhead lights so the color is true.
• Use a plain background: a white towel or a clean wall.
• Keep the phone at the same distance for every step so the pages look consistent.
• Take two or three shots of each step and pick the clearest later.
• Ask permission before you photograph a client, and only use photos they have agreed to.

Step 3: How do you build it in Canva?

1. Open Canva and search the templates for “ebook” or “workbook”. Pick one with plenty of space for photos.
2. Upload your photos from your phone into Canva.
3. Replace the template’s images with your photos, one step per page or two steps per page.
4. Under each photo, write one or two short lines. Plain words, the way you talk.
5. Keep the same two fonts and colors on every page. Change the template’s colors to yours if you have them.

Canva’s menus change from time to time, so the exact button names may look slightly different on your screen.

Step 4: How do you export a PDF?

Use Canva’s download or share option and choose PDF. A standard-quality PDF keeps the file small enough to download on a phone, which is where most buyers will read it.

Open the PDF on your own phone before you sell it. Check that the text is big enough to read without zooming.

Step 5: How do you test it before selling?

Send it to one person who doesn’t already know the technique. Ask them to tell you every place they got stuck. Fix those spots. This one step catches most of the problems that lead to refunds.

Step 6: How do you start selling it?

Upload the PDF to a platform that takes payment and sends the file for you, such as Gumroad, Payhip or Etsy. Then write the sales page: a clear title, a list of what’s inside, who it’s for and how it’s delivered.

Paste your finished sales page into the free checker to see what’s missing.

Common questions

Is Canva free to use for an ebook?

Canva has a free plan with many templates. Some templates, photos and features are only on the paid plan, and Canva marks them. Your own photos are always free to use.

Can I sell an ebook made from a Canva template?

Canva’s license lets you use its templates in designs you sell, with some limits on reselling the template itself. Check Canva’s current license terms before you sell, especially if you use their stock photos.

What size should a beauty ebook be?

A standard letter or A4 page works for printing. If most buyers read on their phones, a smaller page with bigger text is easier to read.

How long does it take?

A short checklist can take an afternoon. A 20-page photo guide usually takes a weekend, most of it spent on photos.

Sources

Canva features and license terms change. Check Canva’s content license agreement before selling.