Ever stumbled upon a stunning design and wondered, “What font is that?” It’s a common frustration. Figuring out the exact font used in an image can feel like a mystery. But what if I told you there’s a simple solution right at your fingertips?
Canva, the popular design platform, has a handy feature called “Grab Text” that can quickly identify fonts from images. Whether you’re working on a logo, YouTube thumbnail, or just seeking design inspiration, this tool can be a lifesaver.
In this post, I’ll show you a step-by-step guide on how to identify font from image using Canva’s “Grab Text” feature. You’ll be able to quickly find any font from image and use it in your own projects.
Why Identify Fonts From Images?
Why bother going through the trouble of identify font from image? It turns out there are several good reasons:
Maintaining Brand Consistency
Fonts play a huge role in brand identity. Using the same fonts across all your designs helps create a consistent and recognizable look. Imagine you’re recreating a logo for your business cards. Knowing the font is crucial for ensuring everything matches perfectly. Using the same font across all of your social media or other marketing campaigns can help your customers identify your brand quickly and easily.
Inspiration and Design Ideas
Ever see a design and think, “I love that font!” Identifying fonts from images can spark new design ideas. It can lead you to discover fonts you might not have found otherwise. This can help you find font pairings, design elements, and overall aesthetic.
Recreating Existing Designs
Need to recreate a YouTube thumbnail or a marketing flyer? Identify font from image is super useful. It ensures your recreation looks as close to the original as possible. This is particularly useful if you’re working with multiple designers or need to make quick updates.
Understanding Font Psychology
Fonts evoke specific emotions and feelings. Identifying fonts can help you understand the design choices behind a brand. Is the company trying to appear modern and innovative, or classic and reliable? The fonts they use can give you a clue.
Canva: Your Font Identification Tool
Let’s face it, there are many tools out there that can find any font from image, so why use Canva?
Why Canva?
Canva is incredibly user-friendly, especially for beginners. It’s a readily available tool for many, and the method I’m about to share is free (with a Canva Pro trial). You don’t need to be a design expert to identify fonts.
Introducing Canva’s “Grab Text” Feature
Canva’s “Grab Text” feature is the key to find a font from image. It’s a text recognition tool that pulls text directly from images. No more guessing or scrolling through endless font lists!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Find a Font From Image Using Canva
Ready to get started? Here’s how to identify font from image using Canva’s “Grab Text” feature:
Step 1: Capture the Screenshot
First, you’ll need a screenshot of the design containing the font you want to identify. Make sure the screenshot is clear and high-quality. Crop the screenshot to focus on the text, removing any unnecessary background elements. You can use your computer’s built-in screenshot tools (Print Screen on Windows, Command+Shift+4 on Mac).
Step 2: Open Canva and Create a New Design
Open Canva and create a new design. You can choose custom dimensions or use a pre-set template like “YouTube Thumbnail.” You can find templates and options on the Canva homepage.
Step 3: Upload the Screenshot
Now, upload the screenshot to Canva. You can do this in two ways:
- Drag the image directly onto the canvas.
- Use the “Uploads” tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
Once uploaded, you’ll find the image in the “Uploads” section.
Step 4: Select the Image and Click “Edit Photo”
Click on the uploaded image to select it. This will bring up the “Edit Photo” button in the top toolbar.
Step 5: Use the “Grab Text” Feature
Click on “Edit Photo,” and then select the “Grab Text” option. Canva will process the image and extract the text. This might take a few seconds, depending on the image.
Step 6: Identify the Font
Canva will display the extracted text in a new text box. Click on this text box to select it. In the top toolbar, you’ll see the identified font name.
Sometimes, Canva might not be able to identify the exact font. In this case, it will suggest a “matched” font – a similar font that you can use as an alternative.
Troubleshooting and Tips
While Canva’s “Grab Text” feature is generally reliable, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
Image Quality
A blurry or low-resolution image can hinder the “Grab Text” feature. Use a clear, high-quality image for the best results.
Complex Fonts
Canva might struggle with very stylized or unusual fonts. Try different screenshots or sections of the image.
Alternative Font Finders
If Canva can’t identify a font from an image, there are other online font identification tools you can try. WhatTheFont and Fontspring Matcherator are great options.
“Grab Text” Not Working
Make sure you are a Canva Pro user, or using a free trial, because this is not a free feature.
Working With Non-Latin Fonts
Identifying fonts in languages other than English might be less accurate.
Beyond Identification: Using Your Found Font
So, you’ve identified the font. Now what?
Applying the Font in Canva
Select a text element in your Canva design. Then, choose the identified font from the font dropdown menu. You can now use the identified font in your project.
Finding Free Alternatives
If the exact font isn’t available for free use within Canva, search for similar free fonts within Canva. There are often many excellent alternatives available.
Downloading the Font (If Available)
If the font is available outside Canva, you can download and install it on your computer for use in other design software. However, always be mindful of font licenses!
Conclusion
Using Canva’s “Grab Text” feature is a quick and easy way to identify font from image. It’s perfect for maintaining design consistency, sparking new ideas, and recreating existing designs.
So, the next time you see a font you love, don’t wonder – find it! Give Canva’s “Grab Text” feature a try and share your experiences in the comments below.
