Selling Canva templates is one of those side hustles that seems almost too simple at first. You create a design once, turn it into a reusable template, put it on sale, and customers can buy it again and again without you shipping anything.
It’s one of the most creative ways to make money from home, and many people do it successfully.
This doesn’t mean it runs on autopilot. There’s definitely still some design work, research, listing optimization, and some customer service. But for creatives who love creating useful things, this can be a realistic way to make extra money from home.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Canva?
Canva is an online design tool for creating graphics, social media posts, presentations, flyers, planners, resumes, invitations and much more.
You don’t need any design experience to use it. It offers drag-and-drop tools, premade layouts, fonts, graphics and photos that you can customize from your computer or phone.
What are Canva templates?
A Canva template is a design that someone else can open in Canva and customize for their own use. Instead of selling a finished image, you sell an editable file. The buyer opens your template, edits the text, swaps photos, updates colors, and makes it their own.
Templates sell because they save people time. Small business owners, bloggers, coaches, teachers, real estate agents, and content creators all need graphics but don’t want to start from scratch every time.
Some popular template types on Canva include:
- Instagram and Pinterest templates
- CV and cover letter templates
- Business cards and price guides
- Binders, planners and budget trackers
- Teacher Worksheets
- Event invitations
- Real estate brochures and media kits
Do you need design experience?
You don’t need formal training, but you do need a good eye. At a minimum, you should be comfortable choosing readable fonts, pairing colors, creating balanced layouts, and understanding what a specific type of customer actually needs.
This is not a good idea if you don’t like visual work. But if you already enjoy creating graphics for your blog, social media, or small business, you can probably start with the skills you already have.
Honestly, the biggest beginner’s mistake is just creating random pretty designs and hoping someone buys them.
The models that tend to sell best are designed for a specific person with a specific problem. “Instagram models” are broad. “Instagram templates for hairdressers announcing last minute openings” is something a busy stylist will immediately see the value in.
Can you actually make money selling Canva templates?
Yes, but the range is quite wide from what I see.
Incomes vary a lot. Many sellers earn a modest side income once they have enough products listed and some inbound traffic. A smaller number end up starting digital product businesses that generate part-time or even full-time income!
Many Canva template sets on Etsy sell for between $5 and $25, it really depends on different things. Simple, single-page templates are on the lower end of the scale, while multi-page sets like planners or full business kits can cost a little more. On Creative Market, fancy professional bundles are often even more expensive.
Keep in mind that what you earn depends on things like:
- How useful and specific are your models?
- How many products you have listed
- Where you sell them
- The strength of your ad’s photos and descriptions
- How much traffic you can generate from Pinterest, SEO, email or social media
Where to sell Canva templates online
Etsy
Etsy is one of the most popular places to sell Canva templates because buyers are already constantly searching there for digital downloads, planners, professional templates, and graphics. Built-in traffic is a real benefit for beginners, but competition is high and you’ll need to learn Etsy SEO to stand out.
If you want to learn how to build a profitable Etsy digital product store from scratch, Golden City Businesses offers a reputable workshop specifically for this type of business.
Your own Shopify store
Shopify gives you more control over your brand. You don’t rely on research or market rules, and you can build your own customer email list, create bundles, and send traffic from Pinterest, Instagram, or your blog.
That said, the downside is that you have to manage all your own traffic. Many sellers start on Etsy and perhaps add a Shopify store once they know their niche better and have more loyal customers.
Creative Market
Creative Market attracts buyers who are already looking for design resources, so it’s suitable for polished branding kits, media kits, and professional template sets.
You may want to take a look even if you’re not selling there right away, as the quality of the product tends to be high and you can get a good idea of what serious sellers create.
Payhip or Gumroad
Platforms like Payment or Gumroad are simpler than running a full store and work well if you already have an audience, such as through a blog, email list, YouTube channel or social following you can point to your products.
Cinqrr
Fiverr allows you to offer custom Canva template creation as a service rather than waiting for buyers to find your listings. This is of course less passive but can help you win faster while learning what customers really want.
You can read my Fiverr Review to learn more about how the platform works.
What types of models sell best?
The templates that work best are those that help someone save time, look professional, or make money. Niche-specific bundles are said to outperform generic deals.
Small Business Owners
Salons, boutiques, photographers, real estate agents, pet sitters, virtual assistants and accountants all need graphics on a regular basis.
A pack specifically designed for one of these audiences might be much easier to sell than a general “social media pack”.
Content creators
Bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters and influencers constantly need graphics. Pinterest pin templates, Instagram carousel templates, YouTube thumbnails, and media kits are all good sellers.
If you want to combine selling models with your own blog, here is my article on how to start a blog.
Job seekers
Resume, cover letter, LinkedIn banner, and portfolio templates can sell consistently because people are always looking for ways to stand out when applying for jobs.
Homeschool Teachers and Parents
Worksheets, lesson planners, classroom signs, flashcards, and reward charts experience consistent demand throughout the year. This niche can be competitive, but buyers come back often because they always need fresh materials.
Event and invitation templates
Birthdays, weddings, baby showers and graduations mean people are always looking for editable invitations.
Being specific could really help. For example, a particular theme, style, or aesthetic will stand out more than a generic birthday invitation. Maybe you could even focus on just one type of event to start and build from there.
How Canva template delivery works
When you sell Canva templates, you don’t upload the editable Canva file itself. Instead, you generate a template link in Canva and include that link in a PDF document.
The customer then downloads the PDF after purchase, clicks the link, and opens an editable copy in their own Canva account without being able to edit your original.
Your delivery PDF must include:
- A word of thanks
- Canva template link
- Simple editing instructions
- Your terms of use
- Contact details for help
Keep the instructions simple so that even someone new to Canva can understand your instructions. Many buyers will need basic guidance, and if you give them a smooth experience, you’ll be more likely to get repeat customers and good reviews from them.
Licensing Rules You Need to Know
Before you sell anything, take the time to understand Canva’s licensing rules.
You can’t just take a Canva template, make minor changes to it, and sell it as your own. Your design must be an original creation even if you use what you find on Canva.
Note that there is also an important distinction regarding Pro content. Canva has specific licensing rules regarding how Pro Assets (stock photos, illustrations, fonts, and other assets) can be used in products you sell.
Before creating any templates that you plan to list anywhere, you should review Canva’s current content license agreement to ensure that your use of any Pro content complies with their terms.
Is selling Canva templates worth it as a side hustle?
Selling Canva templates can definitely be worth it if you love the design, are willing to do the upfront work, and treat it like a real business.
Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be a good solution if you need money immediately. In this case, a remote work or higher paying freelance work is probably best.
But if you want a creative activity that can grow over time, Canva templates might be a good idea for you. Start with a niche, create something useful for a specific buyer, and keep improving based on what drives clicks and sales.
For more extra money ideas, check out my list of 100 Ways to Make Extra Money Online.
If you want more work from home ideas like this, be sure to subscribe to my free email updates. I send remote job leads, side hustle ideas, and other ways to make money from home, completely free!
Good luck to you!
Anna Thurman is a work-from-home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. His findings are published weekly here on Real Ways to Earn.
