How To Sell Canva Templates and Make Money 

Wondering how to turn your design skills into a money-making machine? With digital media expected to grow to $560.70 billion this year, selling Canva templates is one of the best business opportunities. 

Nowadays, individuals and businesses alike are in huge demand for templates such as posters, event invitations, and fitness workouts. 

Creators are banking on this demand, and you can, too, if you play your cards right. 

From the passive income potential to the wide range of niches to tap into, Canva is the perfect side hustle if you’re an avid designer. You can turn it into a full-time venture if you pull enough loyal customers. 

Are you concerned that Canva may not be for you because you have rookie designer skills? Canva is beginner-friendly, and if you’re willing to learn, you can improve your skills and start earning in no time.

So, how do you debut on Canva? What templates can you sell, where should you sell them, and how much can you earn?

Read on to find out! 

Who Buys Canva Templates? 

I bet you’re wondering who would pay for Canva templates when the platform is easy to use and has numerous free templates. Everyone can whip up something real quick for free, right?

Creating items from scratch on a platform with numerous tools is fascinating for us designers. Perhaps even therapeutic.

However, not everyone enjoys doing that. People are into different things, and that’s okay. Some are busy and, therefore, opt to get the job off their plates by delegating it to someone else. 

Others, like businesses, may need several templates at once, so hiring a Canva designer makes more sense. That’s why design is one of the best skills to learn to make money.

If you’re wondering who buys Canva templates, here’s a list of potential customers:

• Business owners 
• Restaurants 
• Event planners 
• Real estate companies 
• Fitness coaches 
• Individuals who prefer at-home workouts 
• Freelancers
• Marketing professionals 
• Bloggers 
• Social media influencers 

This list isn’t definitive, but it gives examples of people and businesses that would benefit from your services as a Canva template seller. It also shows the high demand for and profitability of Canva templates.

How To Sell Canva Templates 

Now that you have identified a few potential customers, how do you sell your Canva templates? Where should you start, and how do you go about it?

Let’s discuss that in detail below.

1. Choose a Niche 

Selecting a niche is crucial before you make you start creating on Canva. There are many template ideas to choose from, and this can sometimes be confusing. 

Some of the options worth exploring include:

• Social media templates 
• Event invitations 
• Lifestyle templates like planners and journals 
• Real estate templates like brochures 
• Blogging templates 
• Branding products like logos 
• Health and Wellness 
• Travel 

When selecting a niche, your passions and interests are the first factors to consider. For instance, creating travel templates is an excellent idea if you like traveling. 

Next, ensure your interests align with market demand. You want to choose something with a high-income potential that meets your financial goals. 

Determine your target audience and the niche you can enter to address their pain points. Also, take time to assess the competition before settling on a niche. 

2. Create an Account on Canva 

Creating an account on Canva is free. 

You can use the free version to hone your skills before expanding your business. Signing up for a free Canva account makes sense if you want to test the waters before committing. 

This way, you have nothing to lose if the venture doesn’t work or you realize you aren’t as passionate. 

However, if you want to go into full-on design mode, I recommend signing up for Canva Pro, which costs $55 annually. 

Canva Pro gives you access to unlimited premium design templates, which are better quality than the platform’s free ones. 

You’ll also receive exclusive perks, such as 1TB of cloud storage, background removal, and over 100 million photos, to enhance your design experience. 

If you’re still skeptical about paying for the subscription before testing the platform, Canva offers a free 30-day trial, and you can cancel your subscription at any time. 

3. Design Your Templates

Now that you’ve determined your target audience and the niche to get into, it’s time to design your first Canva templates. 

One thing I like about Canva is the numerous pre-made templates it offers. Even with a free account, you can take inspiration from multiple templates. 

It’s worth noting that most of the pre-made templates are licensed, so their use might be limited.

With that in mind, I recommend drawing inspiration from these pre-made templates rather than plagiarizing them. 

You can also search for templates within your niche on Pinterest or ecommerce platforms like Etsy and Creative Market. 

Remember to create captivating templates unique to your brand. Also, it’s wise to offer editable products so your customers can customize them to their liking. 

4. Prepare Your Deliverables 

Once you finish designing templates on Canva, you’ll need to create an efficient way for your clients to receive them. 

There are several ways to deliver your Canva templates to your clients. The first and most common way is to generate a template link and embed it in a PDF file. 

When a client purchases your product, they’ll receive the PDF file and can proceed to access the template from the link in the file. 

Generating this link is easy: click “Share” in the design window and then “More.” A drop-down menu will pop up, and you’ll generate the link when you hit “Template link.”

Besides the PDF file method, another way to make your templates accessible to clients is by embedding the link on a landing page. You can use a sales funnel builder site like Flodesk.

5. Create Product Images 

You’ll need eye-catching product images to showcase to potential clients considering purchasing your templates. 

Ensure they’re high-quality photos to attract and convince clients to purchase your items. 

These photos alone should be enough to tell the story of what you’re offering to help the client decide if that’s what they need. 

Creating a minimum of 10 images per template is a good start.

6. Set Your Prices 

You must develop your pricing model beforehand and showcase it to your clients in your product listings. 

There’s no set price for templates since each business model differs. Therefore, you must create prices unique to your product’s quality and quantity. 

Consider researching how other sellers price similar products to get a rough idea of where to start. You can conduct this research on ecommerce platforms like Etsy and Creative Market. 

Take care not to undervalue or overvalue your templates. Undervaluing will lead to a loss since you must consider platform fees. 

Most sellers find it difficult to value their labor. You may find yourself taking into account seller fees only with no regard for the time you spent creating the templates. 

Conversely, templates usually cost between $1 and $3 if sold individually and up to $30 if sold in a bundle. 

This may not seem like much, and you may be tempted to increase your pricing to earn more. Having higher prices may discourage clients from purchasing your templates. 

Therefore, balancing quality and the prevailing market conditions is important to set competitive prices for your templates. 

7. List Your Templates on Your E-Commerce Platform of Choice

After designing your templates, creating product images, and setting your price, the next step is uploading your templates to an ecommerce platform.

Digital product listings are similar to physical products. Upload your product images so that clients know what they’re buying. 

Include detailed descriptions of the products and the pricing. Some of the best places to sell your templates include:

• Etsy 
• Shopify 
• WooCommerce 
• Creative Market 

We’ll discuss these platforms in detail later in this article. 

Always consider platform fees and policies before settling. Compare them to find the best. You can also cross-post your products across different platforms to maximize your income.

8. Market Your Templates 

A common mistake creators make is failing to promote their products. People can’t purchase your templates if they know nothing of their existence. 

Therefore, after setting up your template business, you must find ways to reach your target audience.

Social media is among the best places to market your products because of its popularity and worldwide access. 

Consider creating accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Pinterest. From there, post photos, videos, and reels showcasing your designs. 

Email marketing is another excellent way to market your Canva templates. Consider offering irresistible incentives like discounts and free design tips to appeal to your subscribers. 

Convertkit is an excellent platform for creating and managing an email list efficiently.

Working with social media influencers is fantastic, but it may be too pricey for a creator just starting out. 

You can instead work with other creatives for an opportunity to tap into each other’s fan bases. You can work on posts together and host lives showcasing your design skills.  

Where To Sell Canva Templates 

There are many places to sell Canva templates, including social media. However, here are some platforms ideal for Canva creators:

1. Creative Market

Many Canva creators choose to sell on Creative Market because of its wide audience. The platform lets you showcase your templates to over 10 million people worldwide. 

The platform also deals mainly with digital products like photos, mockups, and illustrations. Therefore, Creative Market is the best place to be if you seek a niche-focused audience.

Another perk of Creative Market is it doesn’t charge a monthly or annual subscription. You can sign up and list your items for free.

However, there’s a catch. You must submit a portfolio for vetting to join this platform as a seller. A human designer reviews your samples to determine if they align with Creative Market’s standards. 

Another downside is the platform takes 50% of each sale you make. This is hefty compared to other ecommerce platforms.  

2. Gumroad 

Another niche-focused platform deals with digital products like templates, music, and drawings. You’re sure to find buyers who appreciate the quality of your Canva templates. 

Gumroad lets you set up your storefront without websites and domains. To do so, you create your Canva designs, list them on the platform, and start making money. Easy peasy! 

One of Gumroad’s most significant perks is that you can sign up for free, and they don’t charge a monthly subscription fee. Instead, they charge 10% on each completed sale.  

Also, they offer numerous sign-in options, including:

• Email 
• Facebook 
• X
• Google 
• Stripe

If you’re seeking a straightforward platform that lets you settle in easily and charges a small fee, Gumroad is worth a try.

3. Etsy 

Etsy is a popular platform where you can sell virtually anything from hand-crafted jewelry to home decor and, you guessed it, Canva Templates.

If you are fascinated by Creative Market’s 10 million user base, Etsy will blow your mind. The platform lets you put your products in front of 94 million people from every corner of the earth!

The advantage of using a platform like Etsy, which has a large user base, is that you can concentrate on design and leave marketing to the platform’s search engine. 

However, it’s still important to market your products because of the high competition. 

Creating an account on Etsy is free. However, you can access exclusive features like discounts and additional shop customization options by subscribing to Etsy Plus for $10 monthly.

Unlike most ecommerce platforms I’ve recommended, Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per product. The company also takes a 6.5% cut for every completed sale. 

4. Shopify 

Still looking for somewhere to sell your Canva templates? If so, head over to Shopify’s website and create an account. 

Customize your Shopify store to fit your niche and optimize your profile for SEO to improve its visibility. 

Once your store is up and running, list your items to start making sales. Shopify charges $5 monthly for a Starter subscription. 

The platform also charges payment processing fees, depending on your buyer’s location. 

5. Design Bundles 

Design Bundles has over 1.3 million monthly visitors. This is peanuts compared to Etsy and Creative Market, but it’s still worth a try, considering it’s a niche-specific platform. 

The platform is royalty-based, and you’ll earn 75% of non-affiliate sales and 50% if you make sales through an affiliate.

You must go through an approval process to sell your templates on this platform. Once accepted, you can upload your products and access exclusive features like in-house technical support. 

I like that Design Bundles helps creators market their products by featuring them on their social media accounts and weekly newsletters. It’s worth noting that the Plus subscription costs $28.99 monthly.

6. Your Website 

Setting up a personal website requires significant effort and time, but it’s one of the best places to sell your Canva templates.

Firstly, I only recommend selling on your website if you have a loyal customer base. Otherwise, consider leveraging the traffic on sites like Etsy and Creative Market to build your brand.

Once you’re familiar with the game and have grown your clientele significantly, start your website and upload your items for sale.  

The most significant advantage of selling on a personal website rather than ecommerce platforms is that you have complete control over your brand and pricing. 

Furthermore, you can easily customize your website to meet your brand needs and resonate more with your audience. Ecommerce platforms usually have limited customization options. 

Customize your profile and product listings for SEO to improve your search engine ranking. Adding a profile picture is an excellent strategy to enhance credibility. 

Launch your website with Hostinger and get a free domain name! 

7. On Canva as a Creator 

Still searching for options on where to sell your templates? Look no further than Canva itself! Have you ever wondered where the numerous templates available on Canva come from?

Canva launched its creator program to empower creators to earn passive income doing what they love. 

You must apply to join the Canva Creator program. The application requires you to submit a portfolio showcasing your work and a short video introducing yourself.

Once accepted, you can contribute to free and pro templates on the platform and earn royalties whenever someone uses your products. 

The only disadvantage of the Canva Creator program is you don’t have control over your templates’ prices. However, it’s still an excellent way to earn passive income.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Canva Templates 

Like any other business venture, selling Canva templates for money has challenges. If it were easy, everyone would do it and succeed. 

Here are some common mistakes to avoid to maximize your earnings:

Creating Complex Designs 

Buyers are more drawn to simple designs than complex ones with too much text or complicated graphics. 

I know you desire to stand out and establish your brand as soon as possible, but don’t underestimate the power of simplicity.

Pick the right fonts that align with the job, add relevant elements, and choose suitable colors without overcrowding your design.

Choosing the Wrong Pricing Model 

Undervaluing or overvaluing your Canva templates can be a deal breaker, especially if you’re a beginner. 

Consider researching sellers with similar products on Etsy, Creative Market, or Shopify to determine how they price their templates. 

Also, consider platform fees, time, and effort you put into a project while determining its price. Factor these fees into the final cost to avoid losses.

Failing to Market Your Products 

Marketing your products is the only way to put yourself and your business out there. People can’t buy something they don’t know exists.

Social media is your friend if you want to reach a wide audience on a budget. However, don’t forget other promotional avenues like discounts and email marketing. 

Tips for Making Money Making Canva Templates 

Keep the following tips in mind as you sell your Canva templates:

• Hone your skills: Improve your design skills to improve the quality of your templates and increase your income potential.
• Cross-post on different platforms: Listing your templates on several ecommerce platforms simultaneously helps you reach a wider audience. 
• Work with other creatives: Collaborate with other creators within your niche to promote your products and improve your design skills. 
• Be consistent: Selling Canva templates isn’t a walk in the park. However, you can succeed with consistent effort. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can You Legally Sell Designs Made on Canva?

Yes, you can sell your Canva designs as long as you don’t plagiarize or build on a pre-made template. You can use their elements, fonts, and images to create your design from scratch.

Can You Sell Canva Templates on Etsy?

Yes! Etsy is the go-to platform for Canva creators due to its wide audience of over 94 million buyers. 

If you want to sell some of your templates, consider creating a shop on Etsy to capitalize on its traffic. 

Can You Sell Canva Templates on Creative Market?

Yes, Creative Market is one of the best places to sell your Canva templates because it’s niche-specific and has over 10 million buyers. 

Can You Sell Canva Templates on Amazon?

You can’t sell Canva templates on Amazon directly because they don’t comply with the Kindle Direct Publishing Guidelines. 

However, you can create an ebook on selling Canva templates and include links to your products in the book for potential clients. 

How Much Do Canva Creators Make?

Many Canva creators report making over $1,000 monthly, but the income depends on the profitability and quality of the templates, marketing strategies, and selling platforms.

Final Thoughts 

Selling Canva templates is an excellent way to make extra cash to supplement your income. 

Even as a beginner, you can use Canva to hone your design skills and create high-quality templates for sale.

Follow the steps outlined in this article to create and sell your first design. Remember to maximize your income by selling on several platforms simultaneously.