How to Create a Digital Journal in Canva
- Rea Weeks
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
✨ Reflect, track, and grow — all in a space that’s 100% you.
Journaling has always been a powerful tool for reflection, creativity, and self-care. But if you're tired of buying notebooks you'll never finish, or if you love the idea of journaling on the go, it might be time to try something new:
Say hello to the digital journal — and yep, you can totally design one yourself in Canva!
Whether you want to create a mood tracker, a gratitude log, or a daily reflection space (or all of the above!), this post will walk you through how to build your very own custom digital journal in Canva — even if you’re brand new to design.
Let’s get into it. 💛
💻 Why Make a Digital Journal?
Digital journaling is:
✨ Convenient (hello, journaling from bed or on your tablet!)
✨ Eco-friendly (no more unused paper)
✨ Reusable (create once, duplicate forever)
✨ Customizable (make it match your vibe — aesthetic, colorful, minimalist, etc.)
You can use it in apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or even just as a fillable PDF, depending on your setup.
🛠 What You’ll Need
A free Canva account
A device to use your journal on (tablet, laptop, or even your phone)
Optional: a stylus or Apple Pencil for a handwritten feel
Optional: a free journaling app like GoodNotes or a simple PDF viewer
📝 Step-by-Step: Create Your Digital Journal in Canva
1. Choose Your Journal Size
Start a new Canva design. I recommend:
A4 (8.27 x 11.69 in) or US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) for printable + digital
1920 x 1080 px or Tablet screen size for digital-only
This will be the base for all your journal pages!
2. Create Your Cover Page
Make it ✨you✨.
Add your name or a journal title
Choose fonts and colors that match your aesthetic
Decorate with Canva elements (flowers, stars, patterns, etc.)
Bonus: Add the year or theme (like “My 2025 Wellness Journal”)
🎨 Want to save time? I’ve got Canva journal cover templates in my Etsy shop!👉 A Rea of Treasures on Etsy
3. Design Your Inside Pages
This is where the fun really begins! Add new pages for:
Daily journaling prompts
Gratitude logs
Mood trackers
Habit trackers
Monthly reflections
Goal setting
Quote pages or affirmations
💡 Use Canva’s line tool or dotted lines for writing areas, and frames or shapes for drawing or checklists.
Keep your font size readable (12pt–16pt is a great range) and leave space for digital handwriting or typing.
4. Make It Interactive (Optional but Awesome)
Want to turn your journal into a clickable PDF?
Add hyperlinks to your pages using Canva’s “Link” tool
Create a clickable index or tabs at the top or side
Link your cover page to key sections (like “Daily,” “Monthly,” “Goals,” etc.)
✨ This works beautifully in apps like GoodNotes and makes your journal feel like a real digital planner.
5. Save + Use It!
Once you’re done designing:
Click Share > Download > PDF Standard or PDF Print
Select “Flatten PDF” if you’re uploading it to a journaling app
Save a copy on your device, cloud, or iPad for easy access
You can reuse this design forever — just duplicate and edit for each new season or year!
💌 Join My Mailing List for Freebies + Creative Prompts
Want a free character profile template to get started?Join my email list and get:
A printable + digital character sheet
Monthly creative freebies and Canva tips
First access to new Etsy launches
Encouraging emails for your writing + storytelling journey
Let’s make writing feel like a cozy adventure again. ✍️✨
🛍 Shop Digital Journals, Templates & More
Not ready to DIY from scratch? No worries — I’ve got beautifully designed templates and journals you can customize or use right away:
Guided journals
Daily wellness trackers
Canva planner templates
Scrapbook paper & stickers
Printable + digital bundles
🛒 Check it all out here:
Perfect for creators, journalers, and cozy productivity lovers.
💛 Final Thoughts
You don’t need fancy software or perfect handwriting to start a journaling practice that feels magical.With Canva and a little creativity, you can build a digital journal that looks exactly how you want — and supports the version of you you’re becoming.
So go ahead — design your first page.Write one sentence.Decorate it with stars.Make it yours. ✨
You’ve got this,
💛 Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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