Canva Studio — branded design via the Canva MCP
Route branded design work through the Canva MCP. Brand consistency comes from brand templates and brand kits, not freehand generation — always look for an existing template before generating from scratch.
Core flows
From a brand template (default path):
search-brand-templates— find the right template for the format.get-brand-template-dataset— see its autofill fields.create-design-from-brand-templatewith autofill data (headline, body, image slots) → review → iterate.
Freeform (no suitable template):
generate-design/generate-design-structuredfrom a written brief: format, copy, palette, imagery direction. Checklist-brand-kitsfirst and reference the brand kit in the brief.
Refine an existing design:
- Find it with
search-designs/list-folder-items; read withget-designget-design-content; preview withget-design-thumbnail.
- Edit inside a transaction:
start-editing-transaction→perform-editing-operations→commit-editing-transaction. On a wrong turn,cancel-editing-transaction— never leave a transaction hanging. resize-designto fan one approved design out to other formats (post → story → banner).
Export / deliver:
get-export-formats→export-design. PNG for web/social, PDF for print.
Guardrails
- Ask before anything leaves Canva: exporting, sharing links, publishing a
brand template (
publish-brand-template), or commenting on a client-visible design all get an explicit human OK first. - Don't overwrite an existing design in place —
copy-designand work on the copy unless the user explicitly says to edit the original. - Keep client work in its client folder (
create-folder/move-item-to-folder); don't scatter drafts at root. - AI imagery inside a design: generate it with
magnific-studio, thenupload-asset-from-url/upload-assets— Canva composes, Magnific paints.
Division of labor
| Need | Skill |
|---|---|
| Branded post / deck / flyer / one-pager | canva-studio (this) |
| AI image or upscale for use anywhere | magnific-studio |
| UI mockup, design-to-code, FigJam | figma-studio |
| Local .pptx file as the deliverable | pptx skill |