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How to use canvas feature for presentations on Loom

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Loom's canvas feature allows you to create interactive presentations by combining screen recording with drawing tools and annotations. You can access it through the desktop app or browser extension to enhance your recordings with visual elements.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Loom account
  • Desktop or web browser access
  • Presentation materials ready
  • Basic familiarity with Loom recording

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access Loom Canvas Feature

Open the Loom desktop app or browser extension. Click on New Recording and select Screen + Camera or Screen Only recording mode. Look for the Canvas option in the recording toolbar or click the Draw icon to enable canvas mode.
Canvas mode works best with screen recording enabled as it allows you to annotate directly on your content.
2

Choose Your Canvas Background

Once canvas mode is activated, select your background option:
  • Click Screen Share to annotate over your current screen
  • Select Blank Canvas for a clean whiteboard
  • Choose Upload Image to use a custom background or slide
Your selected background will appear in the preview window.
Use blank canvas for brainstorming sessions and screen share for software demonstrations.
3

Select Drawing and Annotation Tools

Access the drawing toolbar that appears on your screen:
  • Pen tool - Draw freehand lines and shapes
  • Highlighter - Emphasize important content
  • Text box - Add typed annotations
  • Shapes - Insert arrows, rectangles, and circles
Click on any tool to activate it and adjust the color and thickness options in the toolbar.
Use contrasting colors for better visibility, especially if your audience will view on mobile devices.
4

Start Recording Your Canvas Presentation

Click the Start Recording button to begin your presentation. Loom will capture both your voice and the canvas interactions in real-time. Begin speaking to introduce your topic while using the drawing tools to illustrate your points. Use gestures like circling, underlining, and drawing arrows to guide viewer attention.
Practice your canvas movements beforehand to ensure smooth and purposeful annotations during recording.
5

Navigate Between Canvas Pages

For multi-slide presentations, use the page navigation controls:
  • Click the Next Page button (arrow icon) to create new canvas pages
  • Use Previous Page to return to earlier content
  • The page indicator shows your current position (e.g., 1/3)
Each page maintains its annotations and can be revisited during recording.
Plan your page transitions in advance to maintain presentation flow and avoid awkward pauses.
6

Use Canvas Collaboration Features

Enable real-time collaboration by clicking Share Canvas in the toolbar. Copy the generated link and send it to participants. Collaborators can:
  • View your canvas in real-time
  • Add their own annotations (if permissions allow)
  • Follow your cursor movements
Monitor participant activity in the Participants panel.
Set collaboration permissions before sharing to control whether viewers can edit or only observe your canvas.
7

Save and Share Your Canvas Recording

Click Stop Recording when finished. Loom will process your video and canvas interactions. In the post-recording screen:
  • Add a descriptive title for your presentation
  • Write a brief description outlining key topics
  • Choose sharing settings: Public, Anyone with link, or Private
Click Copy Link to share your canvas presentation.
Include timestamps in your description for longer presentations to help viewers navigate to specific topics.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Canvas tools not appearing during recording

Ensure you're using the latest version of Loom desktop app. Try refreshing the browser if using web version, or restart the app and re-enable canvas mode from the recording options.

Drawing appears laggy or delayed

Close other applications to free up system resources. Lower your screen resolution or recording quality in Loom settings under Preferences > Recording Quality. Ensure stable internet connection for cloud processing.

Annotations not saving between canvas pages

Wait for the page to fully load before adding annotations. Check your internet connection as canvas data syncs to cloud storage. Avoid switching pages too quickly during recording.

Collaborators cannot see canvas updates

Verify that collaborators are using supported browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari). Check that canvas sharing link is still active and hasn't expired. Ask participants to refresh their browser and rejoin the session.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Loom website before purchasing.
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