Canva API: what you can do and how to use it with AI agents
Canva has a developer platform with the Connect API, to link designs and assets to other systems, and the Apps SDK, to build extensions inside the editor. Some features, such as autofill of brand templates, are limited to specific plans. Marketing teams and companies that produce many standardized pieces use it.
What the Canva API offers
Designs
Create, list and open designs in the authorized account.
Export
Export designs in formats such as PDF and image for use in other systems.
Assets
Upload images and files to the user's library.
Brand templates and autofill
Generate pieces from templates with data fields, available on enterprise plans.
Apps in the editor
An SDK to build apps that run inside the Canva editor.
How to access the Canva API
- With your company’s credentialsThe Connect API uses OAuth 2.0 with an integration registered in the Canva developer portal, and the user authorizes the requested scopes.
- Brand template features depend on the plan you have.
- Respect the licenses of Canva images and fonts when reusing pieces.
- OAuth tokens expire: plan for renewal.
Official documentation: www.canva.dev
What an iTeam agent does with the Canva API
Promotional pieces in bulk
The agent takes the week's list of products and prices, fills the brand template and delivers the artwork for marketing to review.
Personalized invitations and certificates
From the attendee spreadsheet, the agent generates one certificate per person and sends it by email after approval.
Export for the site and social media
When a design is marked final, the agent exports it in the right formats and uploads it to the publishing folder or tool.
Organized image library
The agent uploads product photos received by email to the Canva library with a standard name and folder.
From the credential to the agent at work, with approval
Register the integration
In the Canva developer portal, create the integration and confirm that the company's plan includes the features you need, such as brand templates.
Authorize and store in the vault
A user on the account authorizes the integration. The token stays in the iTeam vault, released only to the marketing agents.
Review before publishing
Set up the process so that every generated piece goes through approval before it reaches the site, an ad or a customer.
Ready-made AI teams that use Canva
Questions about the Canva API
Is the Canva API free?
Access to the developer platform usually has no separate cost, but part of the features requires paid Canva plans, such as enterprise ones.
Do I need to write code to use the Canva API with iTeam?
Not necessarily. The iTeam deployment team sets up the integration and the templates, and marketing only approves the pieces.
Does the agent create the design from scratch?
The most reliable use is filling templates the brand has already approved. That way the pieces come out standardized and review is quick.