Create & Launch FREE Email Campaigns with Canva & Mailchimp

Updated at: 13/06/2025

Stop paying for expensive email marketing tools! This guide shows you how to create stunning, professional email campaigns completely free, using Canva's design power and Mailchimp's email delivery. Learn how to design eye-catching templates, craft compelling content, and effortlessly send your campaigns to your subscribers. Get ready to boost your engagement without breaking the bank. Let's dive in!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Design in Canva

    • Create an email campaign using Canva's free design tool. Search for 'email' or 'email newsletter' templates.
    • Customize the email template. Change text, font, colors, and images to match your branding. Use pre-made templates or create a blank one.
    • Add multiple pages to your email campaign as needed.
    Add multiple pages to your email campaign as needed. Add multiple pages to your email campaign as needed. Add multiple pages to your email campaign as needed.
    Design in Canva

  2. Download Canva Design

    • Download the Canva email campaign as a JPEG (for faster loading) for use in Mailchimp.
    Download the Canva email campaign as a JPEG (for faster loading) for use in Mailchimp.
    Download Canva Design

  3. Setup Mailchimp Campaign

    • Create a new email campaign in Mailchimp.
    • Select your audience and add 'from' information (your name and business email).
    • Add a subject line and preview text.
    Add a subject line and preview text. Add a subject line and preview text. Add a subject line and preview text.
    Setup Mailchimp Campaign

  4. Upload and Customize in Mailchimp

    • Upload your Canva email design into Mailchimp. Use the image blocks to add each page.
    • Crop each section of your email design in Mailchimp and link them to the appropriate destinations (website, social media, landing page etc.).
    Crop each section of your email design in Mailchimp and link them to the appropriate destinations (website, social media, landing page etc.). Crop each section of your email design in Mailchimp and link them to the appropriate destinations (website, social media, landing page etc.).
    Upload and Customize in Mailchimp

  5. Preview and Send

    • Preview your email campaign on desktop and mobile to ensure responsiveness.
    • Send your email campaign or schedule it for a later date.
    Send your email campaign or schedule it for a later date.
    Preview and Send
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Tips

  • Use high-quality images that load quickly (JPEG recommended).
  • Clearly define your call to action (what do you want recipients to do?).
  • Use Canva's pre-made templates to save time and effort, especially if you lack design experience.
  • Create a landing page in Mailchimp to collect contact information for specific purposes (e.g., event sign-ups, product launches).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness

Reason: Many email clients are viewed on mobile devices. If your design isn't optimized, it can look messy or be unreadable, leading to low engagement and unsubscribes.
Solution: Use Canva's mobile-first design tools and preview your email on different devices before sending.

2. Poor Subject Line

Reason: A weak subject line often results in emails being ignored or sent straight to the spam folder. It's the first impression and crucial for open rates.
Solution: Craft compelling, concise subject lines that highlight the value proposition and create intrigue.

3. Not Properly Segmenting Your Audience

Reason: Sending generic emails to a large, unsegmented list diminishes effectiveness. Different segments have different needs and preferences.
Solution: Use Mailchimp's segmentation features to target specific groups with tailored content based on their demographics, behavior, or interests.

FAQs

Is using Canva and Mailchimp together really free?
Yes, the basic plans for both Canva and Mailchimp are free. Canva's free plan offers a wide range of templates and design tools. Mailchimp's free plan allows you to send a certain number of emails per month to a limited number of subscribers. However, if you exceed those limits, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.