What is Canva DreamLab AI?

Quick answer: Canva DreamLab is a Canva feature for generating clip art, design elements, backgrounds, and mockups from text prompts, found on the left-hand side of Canva’s homepage under DreamLab. Canva Pro members get 500 credits per month to create images, while free accounts only get 10 total credits that don’t refresh, so it’s most useful for Pro users. It works best with specific, descriptive prompts, lets you add an image as a style reference, choose styles like cinematic concept, and set aspect ratios such as 16:9 or 1:1.

Stop what you’re doing! Did you know Canva has a new feature? Today, we’re diving headfirst into the new DreamLab AI feature in Canva. In this post, we’ll explore it together and learn everything there is to know.

If you don’t know what Canva is, it’s a cloud-based design software that we absolutely love and use to run our business. It’s perfect for creating images, working with Cricut, designing for print-on-demand shops, and so much more. If you haven’t tried Canva yet, head over to Canva.com and check it out for free. Then, come back here to dive deeper into what this incredible tool can do for you.

The Basics of Canva DreamLab AI

Today, we’re exploring the DreamLab AI feature, which you’ll find on the left-hand side of Canva’s homepage under “DreamLab.” Once you click on it, you’ll see the AI feature. DreamLab offers fantastic tools. Canva Pro members get 500 credits per month to generate prompts and images, whether for Etsy shops, Cricut designs, or other creative needs. Free Canva accounts, on the other hand, only provide 10 total credits, and once you’ve used those, you won’t receive more. This makes DreamLab particularly beneficial for Canva Pro users.

Creating Clip Art and Design Elements

DreamLab is amazing for creating clip art and design elements. However, it’s essential to be specific with your prompts. Like other AI tools, DreamLab improves the more you use it and as it learns your preferences and style. So, if you’re a Pro member, don’t hesitate to use all 500 credits each month.

Add Images as a Style Reference

One feature we love is the ability to add images as a style reference. At the moment, this feature allows DreamLab to mimic the style of an uploaded image, with content reference and image-to-image capabilities coming soon. This will expand the possibilities by using your reference images’ shapes, structures, and vibe.

You can also select different styles for your images, such as cinematic concepts or smart styles, and adjust the size aspect ratio for your needs, such as 16:9 for YouTube thumbnails or 1:1 for Instagram posts. With so many customizable options, DreamLab is incredibly versatile.

For instance, we tested a prompt for a beautiful sunset at the base of a mountain, and the results were stunning. Adding more descriptive elements like butterflies or using specific instructions made the images even more tailored to what we envisioned.

When we tried creating a super cute watercolor animal with detailed instructions—like big sparkling eyes, perched hands, bright colors, and a Valentine’s Day theme—the results were spot-on and exactly what we wanted.

Creating a Vector Graphic

We also experimented with creating vector graphics, like a black-and-white hummingbird drinking from a hibiscus flower. While selecting the “Vector” style simplifies designs, it’s important to note that DreamLab currently saves images as JPEGs, not true vector files. Converting them to vector or PNG formats requires separate steps outside Canva.

Switching styles can significantly impact the outcome. For example, choosing “Cinematic Concept” created hyper-realistic, truly impressive black-and-white images. These are great for artistic projects or decorative designs. We even tried generating coloring pages, which could be perfect for creating coloring books. However, maintaining consistency in style across multiple pages might require extra effort.

A key point to keep in mind when creating AI-generated images is accuracy. Sometimes, details like the number of fingers, feet, or ears on animals can be slightly off, so double-check your images before using them.

To test further, we typed a prompt for a mountain landscape in a Van Gogh-inspired style with vibrant flowers in the foreground. When we added a reference image of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, the AI picked up the colors and mood of the painting.

Removing the reference gave us a more accurate match for what we envisioned, showing that being specific about styles in prompts can make all the difference.

Generating Mockups

We also experimented with generating mockups for Etsy shops, like a realistic background of a living area decorated for Christmas. While some results weren’t ideal, changing the style and refining the prompts improved them. For instance, flat-lay mockups worked better, but cinematic concepts were less effective for this purpose.

Overall, DreamLab is a game-changer for creating clip art, backgrounds, and even artistic mockups. It’s a tool that takes time to master, but it’s worth experimenting with to find the best approach for your creative needs.

What do you think about AI features like DreamLab? Are you a fan, or do you have reservations?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many DreamLab credits do you get in Canva?

Canva Pro members get 500 credits per month for generating prompts and images. Free Canva accounts get only 10 total credits, and once those are used they don’t refresh, which makes DreamLab especially useful for Pro members.

Can DreamLab create true vector files?

Not directly. Choosing the Vector style simplifies the design, but DreamLab currently saves images as JPEGs, not true vector files. Converting them to vector or PNG formats requires separate steps outside Canva.

How do I get better results from DreamLab?

Be specific and descriptive in your prompts, since the tool improves the more you use it and learns your style. Adding details like colors, themes, or a style reference image helps, and you can switch styles such as cinematic concept for hyper-realistic results. Always double-check images, since details like the number of fingers, feet, or ears can be slightly off.