How to Make Money Selling Canva Templates: a Beginner’s Guide

You’ve probably heard that selling Canva templates is the latest gold rush in the digital world.

Maybe you’re sick of your 9-to-5, or maybe you’ve just seen one too many Instagram ads promising “six figures in six months” if you start selling these magical little designs.

Whatever brought you here, let’s cut through the fluff and get real about what it takes to actually make money selling Canva templates.

Spoiler alert: it’s not as easy as some folks would have you believe, but it’s not rocket science either.

This guide will walk you through the basics, giving you the essential steps you need to get started. So, grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger), and let’s get into it.

What the heck are Canva templates?

First things first—what exactly are Canva templates, and why should you care?

Canva is this magic tool that makes everyone feel like a graphic design pro, even if their design skills are limited to stick figures. It’s like the Mac and Cheese of graphic design: simple, quick, and surprisingly satisfying.

You don’t need a degree in design to whip up something that looks half-decent, which is why so many people use it for everything from social media posts to wedding invitations.

Canva templates are pre-designed layouts that users can customize. These templates range from Instagram story designs to business presentations, and they’re a godsend for people who want something that looks professional but don’t want to spend hours figuring out how to make it happen.

You, my friend, can cash in on this laziness by creating and selling your own Canva templates.

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Why bother selling Canva templates?

Good question. Let’s start with the obvious: money. Most of us wouldn’t mind a little extra cash, and selling Canva templates is a legit way to earn some.

But there’s more to it than just chasing cash. Selling Canva templates can be a great side hustle—or even a full-time gig—if you play your cards right.

Here’s why:

1. Passive income (sort of)

The idea of passive income sounds like a dream: make something once, and it keeps paying you forever.

While selling Canva templates isn’t entirely hands-off, it’s pretty close. You design a template, put it up for sale, and people can keep buying it without you lifting another finger.

Of course, you’ll still need to promote it, manage customer service, and occasionally update your designs, but compared to other ways of making money, it’s about as close to passive as it gets.

2. Low barrier to entry

You don’t need to be a design genius to start selling Canva templates. If you can drag, drop, and click, you’re pretty much set.

Canva does most of the heavy lifting, providing you with all the tools you need to create something that looks professional—even if you’re not.

3. Market demand is high

People are always looking for quick, easy solutions to their problems.

Whether it’s a small business owner needing a quick flyer or a blogger needing Pinterest graphics, Canva templates save people time and effort. And time is money, right?

That’s why they’re willing to pay for templates that are ready to go, especially if they’re unique and well-designed.

What types of Canva templates can you create and sell?

Now that you’re convinced that selling Canva templates is worth your time, let’s talk about what kinds of templates actually sell. Because not everything you design will be a hit, and that’s just the cold, hard truth.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular types:

1. Social media graphics

Think Instagram posts, stories, Facebook banners, Pinterest pins—you get the idea.

Businesses are willing to pay for templates that elevate their online presence without the hassle of creating everything from scratch.

These are some of the hottest sellers because, let’s face it, companies are obsessed with looking polished and professional online.

2. Planners and Journals

Organization freaks love their planners, and they love them even more when they’re pretty.

Create templates for daily planners, weekly meal plans, fitness trackers, or anything else that helps people feel like they’ve got their life together.

Bonus points if your designs are aesthetically pleasing enough to make it to someone’s vision board.

3. E-books and Workbooks

E-books and workbooks are big in the online course world.

If you can create a template that makes it easy for someone to plug in their content and produce a professional-looking e-book, you’re golden.

This is especially appealing to coaches, educators, and anyone else who sells information online.

4. Presentations

PowerPoint is so last century, and nobody wants to spend hours making a presentation from scratch.

Canva presentations are a big hit with entrepreneurs, students, and anyone who needs to make a quick, polished slideshow.

5. Resume templates

Job hunters want to stand out, and a sleek resume can help.

6. Business cards

In the business world, first impressions matter, and that’s where Canva templates come in handy.

If you can design a business card template that helps people stand out from the crowd, you’ve got yourself a winner.

7. Event Invitations and Flyers

People love throwing parties, and they love it even more when their invites look good. Event invitations and flyers are always in demand, especially around holidays and wedding season.

The possibilities are pretty much endless. The key is to find a niche you’re comfortable with and start designing.

How to actually create and sell Canva templates

Enough about what you can sell—let’s talk about how to make it happen. This isn’t rocket science, but there’s a bit of a learning curve, so pay attention.

Step 1: Create a Canva account (Duh)

If you don’t already have a Canva account, you’ll need to sign up.

You can start with a free account, but let’s be real—you’re going to want the Pro version. It’s $14.99 a month, but it’s worth it because it gives you access to premium features like the ability to share your templates with others as copies, which means customers can use your template without messing up your original design.

Step 2: Figure out what you’re good at

Not everyone’s cut out to design every type of template.

Maybe you’re great at social media graphics but suck at presentations.

That’s okay—play to your strengths.

Start by creating templates that align with what you’re naturally good at. It’ll make the whole process easier and more enjoyable.

Step 3: Research what’s selling

Before you start designing, do a little recon.

Go on platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, or even just Google to see what’s popular.

Look for gaps in the market—what’s missing? Can you do it better?

This step is crucial because the last thing you want to do is spend hours designing a template that nobody wants to buy.

Step 4: Start designing

This is where the fun begins.

Start with a basic idea, and then let your creativity run wild. Remember, the goal is to create something that’s both visually appealing and easy to customize.

Use Canva’s built-in elements, fonts, and images to make your templates stand out.

Pro tip: Don’t just rely on Canva’s pre-made templates. Sure, they’re a great starting point, but if your designs look too much like the default options, why would anyone pay for them? Put your own spin on things.

Step 5: Create eye-catching product images

People won’t buy your templates if they don’t know what they’re getting. That’s why you need to create product images that show off your designs in the best light possible.

Think of these images as the online equivalent of a store window display—they need to grab attention and make people want to come inside.

Make them as attractive as possible because, let’s be real, people do judge a book by its cover—or in this case, a template by its preview images.

Step 6: Set your prices

Pricing is tricky. You don’t want to undersell yourself, but you also don’t want to scare people off with high prices.

Do some research to see what similar templates are going for, and then decide on a price that feels fair for both you and your customers.

Keep in mind that you can always adjust your prices later if something’s not selling as well as you’d hoped.

Step 7: Choose a platform to sell on

Now that you’ve got your templates ready, it’s time to set up shop. You’ve got a few options here:

• Etsy: This is one of the most popular platforms for selling digital products. It’s user-friendly, and there’s already a built-in audience looking for Canva templates.

• Creative Market: Another great option, especially if you’re targeting creatives and small business owners.

• Gumroad: Ideal if you want to sell directly to your audience without the middleman, Gumroad is a solid choice.

• Your own website: If you’ve got your own website, why not sell your templates there? You’ll keep more of the profits, but you’ll also need to drive traffic to your site.

• Social media: Don’t underestimate the power of Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok for promoting your Canva templates. A few well-placed posts can do wonders.

Each platform has its pros and cons, so take some time to figure out which one works best for you.

How to market your Canva templates

Okay, you’ve set up your shop, and your templates are just sitting there, waiting to be bought.

Here’s the thing: they won’t sell themselves. You need to put in some work to get them in front of potential buyers.

1. Social media is your friend

If you’re not promoting your templates on social media, you’re missing out.

Instagram, Pinterest, and even TikTok are all great platforms for showcasing your designs.

Create posts, reels, and stories that highlight what makes your templates unique. Post videos for quick tutorials or behind-the-scenes content. Use hashtags strategically to reach your target audience.

And don’t forget to engage with your followers, make sure people know there’s a real person behind the templates.

2. Build an email list

If you’ve got a blog or website, start building an email list.

Offer a freebie—a simple Canva template, for example—in exchange for email addresses. Then, you can market your paid templates directly to people who’ve already shown interest.

3. Collaborate with influencers

Influencers are called influencers for a reason—they can influence people to buy stuff.

Reach out to influencers or bloggers in your niche and see if they’d be willing to promote your templates in exchange for a freebie or a small commission. Just make sure they’re the right fit for your brand.

The ugly truth about selling Canva templates

Alright, now that we’ve covered all the steps, let’s get real about what you can actually expect when you start selling Canva templates.

Here’s the ugly truth: it’s not going to make you rich overnight. In fact, it might not make you rich at all.

1. It’s competitive as hell

There are a lot of people out there trying to sell Canva templates, and some of them have been doing it for a long time. You’re going to be competing with thousands of other sellers, so don’t expect to start making big bucks right away.

2. You’ll need to keep creating

One or two templates aren’t going to cut it. If you want to make real money, you’ll need to keep churning out new designs. The more templates you have, the better your chances of making a sale.

3. Not everything you make will sell

This is just a fact of life. No matter how awesome you think your design is, not everyone is going to feel the same way. Some templates will be hits, and others will be flops.

Don’t take it personally—just keep creating.

4. You’ll have to deal with customer service

People are going to ask questions, request refunds, and sometimes just be plain difficult. It’s all part of the gig.

Make sure you’re prepared to handle customer service with patience and professionalism, even when someone’s being a pain.

Final thoughts: Should you give it a shot?

So, should you start selling Canva templates?

If you’re looking for a creative outlet that could also make you some extra cash, then sure, why not? Just go into it with your eyes open.

Understand that it’s going to take time, effort, and a lot of trial and error. But if you stick with it, you might just find that selling Canva templates is a fun and rewarding way to make money online.

Just remember: success doesn’t happen overnight, and nobody’s life was ever changed by a single Canva template.

But with a little patience, a lot of creativity, and maybe a glass of wine (or two), you can turn this side hustle into something that’s both fulfilling and profitable.

Cheers to that!

Frequently asked questions about selling Canva templates