Use Canva's Magic Write to Create Email Header Graphics
What This Does
Canva's Magic Write generates copy for your email header graphics — the announcement text, tagline, and CTA overlay — so you can build a professional campaign header without waiting on a designer or staring at a blank template.
Before You Start
- You have a Canva account (free works; Magic Write requires Canva Pro or a free trial)
- You know the campaign goal and offer details (what the header needs to communicate)
- Optional: your brand colors and logo file ready to upload
Steps
1. Start from an Email Header template
Go to canva.com and click Create a design. Search for "email header" in the template search bar. Canva has hundreds of email header templates sized at 600px wide — click any one that matches your brand's general aesthetic to open it.
What you should see: The template opens in Canva's editor with placeholder text and images you can replace.
2. Select the headline text block
Click on the main headline text in the template (usually the largest text element). This selects the text box and shows editing options in the toolbar above.
3. Use Magic Write to generate headline options
With the text box selected, click on the text and then look for the Magic Write option. Alternatively, click the Apps tab in the left sidebar and select Magic Write. In the prompt field, describe what the header needs to say:
Example prompt: "Write 5 short headline options for an email header promoting a 20% off spring sale for a women's athletic apparel brand. Energetic, motivating tone. Under 8 words each."
What you should see: Magic Write generates 5 headline options. Click any one to insert it into your design.
4. Customize your chosen headline
Once inserted, you can edit the text directly. Change the font, size, or color using the toolbar. If your brand colors aren't in the template, click the color swatch in the toolbar and enter your hex code.
5. Replace placeholder images
Click on any image in the template to select it. Click Replace or press the trash icon to remove it, then click Uploads in the left sidebar to upload your product photos or brand images. Drag and drop to position them.
6. Download for your ESP
Click Share (top right) → Download → choose PNG (best for email headers). Use the downloaded file as your email header image in Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or your ESP's image block.
What you should see: A clean PNG file at 600px width ready for your email builder.
Troubleshooting: If Magic Write produces generic copy, add more specifics — product name, audience, exact offer — in your prompt.
Real Example
Scenario: You need a header image for a Father's Day sale at a men's grooming brand. Your designer is out this week.
What you type/do: Search "email header" in Canva, pick a clean masculine template. Use Magic Write: "Write 5 headlines for a Father's Day grooming sale — 25% off sitewide. Bold, confident tone. Under 10 words."
What you get: Options like "Treat Dad to Something Better" and "25% Off — Just in Time for Father's Day." You pick one, swap the placeholder photo for a product image, and have a finished header in 12 minutes.
Tips
- Size matters: always use Canva's email-specific templates or resize to 600px wide. Email clients crop wide images on mobile.
- Magic Write works best with specific prompts. Vague: "Write something about a sale." Specific: "Write a 6-word headline for a 48-hour flash sale on running shoes, urgency tone."
- Download as PNG rather than JPEG for headers with text overlay — PNG preserves sharper edges on text.
Tool interfaces change — if a button has moved, look for similar AI/magic/smart options in the same menu area.