Course Mockups That Convert: A Step-by-Step Canva Tutorial

Jacqui Naunton // White Deer
9 May 2025

Creating a tangible, high-quality visual representation of your digital course can significantly boost its perceived value. In this tutorial, I'll guide you through the process of crafting compelling course mockups using Canva—a tool that saves you the complexity of Photoshop. Mockups are essential for making your digital offerings feel more authentic and premium to potential buyers. Ready to enhance your course visuals? Let's dive in.

Why Mockups Matter

Before we begin, it's vital to understand the importance of mockups in selling your digital courses. By presenting your course content as realistic, tangible items, you immediately increase the perceived value, making customers feel more confident about their purchase.

Step 1: Gather Your Course Graphics

The first step involves collecting all the necessary graphics for your mockup. Consider the components of your course:

  • Course portal
  • Worksheets
  • Videos
  • Facebook group

Take screenshots or prepare any relevant visuals that represent these elements. Use your screenshot tool or download images from Canva if your worksheets are hosted there. Store these graphics neatly in your Canva files to use later.

Step 2: Select and Set Up Your Canva Workspace

Open Canva and start a new project. You could use any size like a presentation slide or any other larger format, but avoid small sizes like a business card. This ensures you have enough space to creatively arrange your design.

Step 3: Consistent Device Styles

Select consistent styles for your devices to maintain a cohesive look. When choosing placeholders for tablets, phones, or laptops, ensure they have a similar aesthetic. Look for frames or mockup options in the Elements section and insert your graphics ensuring a flow in style and digital realism.

Step 4: Arrange and Layer Your Mockup Elements

Arrange your visuals to mimic a realistic scenario:

  • Scale devices proportionately (e.g., making phones smaller than tablets but larger than paper sheets).
  • Use the Position tool to manage layers and ensure depth.
  • Organise arrangement to give each element proper visibility while maintaining realism.
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Step 5: Enhance Realism with Shadows

Add shadows to elements to give them weight and position. Use the Elements section and search for shadow graphics. Position these beneath your devices and set a low transparency to keep them subtle.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Your mockup should look organized and attractive by this stage. Consider overlaying a light desktop graphic to simulate a real-world surface or background. Once you're satisfied, download your entire design or specific selections as PNG files. If using Canva Pro, consider exporting as a transparent PNG for better flexibility.

By following these steps, you can create stunning course mockups using Canva that can significantly enhance the perceived value of your digital products. These mockups are not only visually appealing but also help in crafting a compelling narrative for potential buyers, increasing your chances of making successful sales.

For further inspiration, remember to regularly refresh your mockups as you update your course content or design elements to keep your marketing fresh and aligned with your brand.

Jacqui Naunton // White Deer