Free templates to make your own newspaper in Canva

If you love the idea of making your own newspaper but feel stuck when it comes to the technical stuff, we're here to help. Our free templates for Canva are all set up with the correct dimensions for our different sizes, so you can just focus on the creative side of things.

New to Canva? It's a free, easy-to-use online design tool. There's no download required – just need to create an account. To learn more about how it works, read How to Use Canva: A Beginner's Guide.

We offer two different types of templates for Canva:

• Blank templates: Available for all of our sizes. Our blank templates are set up with the correct dimensions for each size and include margins (for tabloids/broadsheets) or bleed (for minis).

• Themed templates: Available for tabloids only. Our themed templates feature 4-page layouts that can be customised with your own text and images. They're set up with the correct dimensions for tabloids and include margins.

Blank newspaper templates for Canva

You can get started with blank Canva templates for any of our newspaper sizes:

Canva template for all minis
Canva template for all tabloids
Canva template for digital broadsheet
Canva template for traditional broadsheet

Using our Canva templates for tabloids and broadsheets

Making a mini newspaper? Skip ahead to our instructions for minis.

To use the templates for our tabloids and broadsheets, just delete the elements on the first page and start creating your design. But first, make sure you turn on our custom margins:

Show rulers/guides. From the File menu, turn off Canva’s default margins (if they’re turned on) and turn on rulers and guides:

Your document should now show purple guide lines — these are the margins we need to print your newspaper. Make sure not to put any artwork in the area from the purple line to the edge of the page. (This includes any background colour you're using on your pages.)

Adding pages. Our Canva templates are set up with the minimum number of pages required for each newspaper size: 4 pages for digital broadsheets and digital/traditional tabloids and 2 pages for traditional broadsheets.

To add more pages, click "Add page" below the document to add as many pages as you'll have in your newspaper. (Remember that pages must be in multiples of 4 for tabloids and broadsheets.)

Save your template from the File menu:

You'll be able to go back to your template at any time from the left-hand sidebar on Canva:

Exporting your design as a PDF. To print with Newspaper Club, you need to export your file as a PDF with single pages in reading order. You can read more in our export guide.

To export your file from Canva, navigate to Share at the top right corner and then click Download. Select 'PDF Print' from the drop-down menu:

Then download your PDF!

Check your PDF closely after downloading to make sure the final PDF matches up with your design in Canva. In some cases, the Canva export process can produce unexpected changes to the PDF. We print the PDF that you upload, so always double-check your PDF before ordering.

Printing your newspaper. When you upload your PDF to your Newspaper Club account, our system will check that it's set up correctly and automatically flag any printing issues like low-resolution images or incorrect page size. If you have any questions before ordering, our team is happy to help at support@newspaperclub.com.

Using our Canva templates for minis

There are a few more guidelines to consider with minis, so we've created a more detailed template for them. When you open the template, it will look like this:

We’ve set up a simple guide graphic on the first four pages to help you see where the pages will be trimmed and where the safe area for text and important details is. You can delete this guide, or keep it while you work on your design.

We recommend keeping it on and adjusting the transparency so that the guide overlays your design. You can set the transparency to zero while you're designing, then turn it up to check everything is in the right place:

The guide is different for odd and even-numbered pages because the pages are only trimmed on the outside edge. If you’re adding the guide to more pages, make sure to check that you’re using the right one.

Remember that you need at least 16 pages in a mini newspaper (and no more than 64 pages) and pages must be in multiples of 8.

To export your file from Canva, navigate to Share at the top right corner and click Download. Select 'PDF Print' from the drop-down menu. Remember to set our template graphic to 0% transparency before exporting, so that it isn't visible in your printed newspaper.

Themed newspaper templates for Canva (tabloids only)

We also offer Canva templates with editable layouts – just swap in your own text and images. There are 4 layouts for popular newspaper themes: weddings, business newsletters, vintage props and celebrations.

All of the templates are set up for tabloids, our most popular size, and are compatible with any of our tabloid paper types. If you're printing digitally, you can order from 1 copy.

Before you get started, we recommend reading the artwork guidelines for our digital tabloids (if you're printing less than 300 copies) or traditional tabloids (if you're printing over 300 copies).

The templates are all set up for a 4-page layout, but don't let that stop you from adding more pages – tabloids can go up to 64 pages! Just remember that your page count needs to be in multiples of 4 for printing.

All of the templates have been designed to suit a 12-column grid – this grid is set up in Canva using rulers and can be toggled on and off as needed (File > View Settings > Show Rulers and Guides):

Keep scrolling to see what's inside each template – or jump straight to a specific template in Canva with the links below:

• Wedding newspaper template
• Business newspaper template
• Vintage newspaper template
• Celebration newspaper template

Now, on to the templates!

Wedding newspaper template

Tell your guests everything they need to know for your big day, in an eye-catching way. Our wedding newspaper template can work as an invitation or order of service, with plenty of space to share your love story, photos of your wedding party, schedule of events and more. (Want to see how other couples use their newspapers? See 6 ways to wow your wedding guests with a newspaper.)

Use the wedding template

Business newspaper template

From internal newsletters to client reports, keep everyone in the loop with a newspaper for your business. This template is set up for articles and big, bold images, plus diagrams and charts that you can edit with your own figures using Canva’s built-in tools. (Want to see how other businesses use their newspapers? Check out 4 Lessons from annual reports people actually want to read.)

Use the business template

Vintage newspaper template

Our vintage template is inspired by newspapers of yesteryear, with a blackletter masthead, monochrome theme and traditional layout. Use it as a prop for a play or photoshoot set way back when, or turn it into a gift for someone with an old-school sensibility.

Use the vintage template

Celebration newspaper template

Make someone feel extra! extra! special with a newspaper all about them. Our celebration template is perfect for birthdays, graduations and retirements. It opens up into a double-page spread (which can work as a poster!) ready to be filled with photos. Use the space on the back page for warm wishes from friends and family.

Use the celebration template

Need a hand? 

If it's a Canva-related question, the Canva Help Centre will probably have the answer. If you have any print-related questions, just write to us at support@newspaperclub.com and we're happy to help.