Canva's first AI image maker trails rivals in a hands-on test

Canva has launched its first AI image generator, called Canva Craft, and a hands-on test found it behind the big names. Business Insider ran three prompts against Craft, ChatGPT, Muse and Gemini. Canva did not win a single round. The reviewer's verdict: Canva has a lot of room to grow, especially for a company focused on graphic design.

What Canva launched

Craft is Canva's answer to image tools from Google, Meta and OpenAI. It works through Canva's Dream Lab, and free accounts can use it, though AI usage limits apply. You need to sign in to a Canva account to start.

Canva says Craft plans a design's layout, proportions and text before it creates an image. The aim is cleaner lettering and more accurate details. Canva also says it trained the model on human-designed templates, such as posters, menus and presentations, rather than photographs.

How the test went

The prompts got harder each round, from a simple greeting card to a photorealistic image made from scratch.

• Birthday card: Canva had an awkward font, an oversized cartoon head and no paisley, which the prompt asked for. Muse won.
• Pendant in a new setting: Canva made an atmospheric scene, but the pendant floated or sat on a metal pole. ChatGPT won.
• Realistic cat: Canva's fur looked strandy and high-contrast, but nothing was missing or malformed. ChatGPT won.

Gemini also had trouble with the pendant's physics. It took the card request literally and produced a picture of an actual card. Muse changed the pendant when it was not asked to.

What it means for you

If you make cards, posters or social posts, Craft costs nothing to try. The test suggests the results may need fixing by hand. The reviewer said they would keep moving design pieces around manually for now.

What is not known

This was one reviewer and three prompts, so it is a small sample. Canva did not respond to a request for comment. The material does not say how strict the free usage limits are.