How To Create a Water Shadow Effect in canva (Step by Step!)

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This tutorial will show you how to make your product images look like they are submerged in water with realistic shadows and ripples using Canva.

Video Tutorial

Table of Contents

Step 1: Prepare Your Subject Layers

First, you need your main product image on the Canva canvas.
Select the image layer containing your subject.

Duplicate this layer. You can do this by right-clicking the image and selecting Duplicate, or by selecting the image and pressing Ctrl+D (Windows) or Cmd+D (Mac).

Make sure the duplicated layer is positioned exactly on top of the original layer.
Now, select the top (duplicated) layer.

Click the Edit Image button that appears in the top toolbar.

Select the BG Remover (Background Remover) tool. Wait for Canva to process the image.

**Duplicate Your Subject Layer and Remove Background**

You should now have two layers: the bottom layer is your original image, and the top layer is just your subject with the background removed.

Step 2: Add the Water Texture

Go to the Elements tab on the left sidebar.
In the search bar, type “water shadow” or a similar term like “water texture” or “water ripples”.

Click on the Photos category below the search bar to filter the results.
Browse through the photos and select a water texture image that you like. The video uses a clear water ripple texture.

Click on the chosen water texture image to add it to your canvas.
Resize the water texture image by dragging its corners so that it covers your entire canvas or design page.

Step 3: Arrange the Layers

You now need to place the water texture layer correctly.

Click the Position button in the top right toolbar.
Select the Layers tab.

You should see your three layers: the subject with no background (top), the water texture (middle), and the original image (bottom).

Click and drag the water texture layer so it sits between the top subject layer and the bottom original image layer. Your subject should now appear on top of the water texture, which is on top of the original background.

Step 4: Blend the Water Texture and Background

To create the submerged effect, you need to blend the water texture with the original background image.
Go to the Apps tab on the left sidebar.
Search for “Blend“.
Click on the Blend Image app to open its panel.

First, you need to select the Bottom layer for blending. Click on your original image layer (the one at the very bottom of your layer stack) on the canvas or in the Position > Layers tab.

Go back to the Blend Image app panel, and under the Bottom layer section, click the Use selected image button. You’ll see a preview appear.

Next, select the Top layer for blending. Click on your water texture layer (the middle layer in your stack) on the canvas or in the Position > Layers tab.

Go back to the Blend Image app panel, and under the Top layer section, click the Use selected image button. The preview will update.

**Blend Both Your Images (Water Shadow and Backgorund)**

Now, choose a Blend mode. Click the dropdown menu (it might default to Luminosity or Normal). Select Multiply. This usually gives a good shadow effect.

You can experiment with other modes like Luminosity if Multiply doesn’t look right for your image.

Click the purple Add to design button.

**Add The New Blended Image To Your Design**

Step 5: Final Layer Arrangement

The Blend Image app will create a new image layer which is the result of blending the two images you selected.

This new blended image will appear on top. Resize this new layer to cover the entire canvas, just like you did with the original water texture.

Go back to Position > Layers.

You now likely have four layers:

Subject (background removed – top)
Newly Blended Image
Original Water Texture
Original Full Image (bottom)

You only need the top subject layer and the newly blended image layer.

Select the original water texture layer (the one you used in the Blend app) and delete it (use the trash icon in the Layers panel or the Delete/Backspace key).

Select the original full image layer (the one at the very bottom) and delete it as well.

Now you should only have two layers: the Subject on top and the Blended Image below it. Ensure they are in this order using the Position > Layers tab if needed.
The main water shadow effect is now complete!

Step 6: Optional – Add Enhancements

To make the effect more realistic, you can add subtle shadow elements.
Go to Elements.
Search for “leaf shadow” or “palm shadow” or similar.
Go to the Graphics tab.

Choose a shadow graphic you like and add it to the canvas.
Position the shadow where it makes sense (e.g., in a corner).

Select the shadow graphic. Click the Transparency icon (checkerboard pattern) in the top toolbar and reduce the transparency to make it look subtle.

Step 7: Optional – Add a Color Tint

If you want to give the water a slight color tint (like a blueish hue):
Select the blended image layer (the one just below your subject).

Click Edit Image in the top toolbar.

Scroll down to the Filters section and click See all.

Select the Tundra filter (as shown in the video). This often adds a cool, slightly blue/green tone.

You can adjust the Intensity slider for the Tundra filter to control how strong the color tint is.
Experiment until you achieve the look you desire.

You have now successfully created a water shadow effect in Canva!