Canva templates have become one of the easiest digital products to create and sell online. There are so many opportunities to work with; from Pinterest pins, Instagram posts to planners, workbooks, and business documents; thousands of creators use Canva templates to generate passive income every month.
But simply creating a beautiful template isn’t enough. To make consistent sales, you need to understand what buyers are looking for, how to design templates they can easily customize, and how to package your products professionally.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to create Canva templates that people actually want to buy. We’ll cover everything from researching profitable ideas and designing high-quality templates to sharing them correctly, pricing them, and avoiding common beginner mistakes.
If your goal is to build a digital product business, this guide will help you get started on the right foot.
What are Canva templates?
Canva templates are editable pre-designed graphics anyone can customize to create their own unique designs regardless of their experience.
Canva’s user-friendly platform makes it easy to customize templates to meet specific needs, whether it’s for personal or commercial purposes.
If you’re looking for an easy and quick way to create custom visuals, consider using a Canva template. If you want to monetize your design skills by offering resources to other creators, you can learn how to sell Canva templates.
Can You Legally Sell Canva Templates?
Yes. You can sell Canva templates that you create yourself, provided you follow Canva’s licensing and content guidelines.
However, you should never:
- Resell Canva’s pre-made templates as your own.
- Bundle Canva templates without making significant original changes.
- Include assets that you don’t have permission to redistribute.
Before selling your templates, always review Canva’s latest licensing terms to ensure your products comply with their policies.
Need more ideas to make money with Canva?
Why Canva Templates Sell So Well
Canva templates solve a simple problem – they save people time.
Instead of spending hours designing from scratch, buyers can customize an existing template in just a few minutes.
People buy Canva templates because they:
- Want professional-looking designs without hiring a designer.
- Need consistent branding across multiple platforms.
- Lack design experience.
- Want to save time creating content.
- Need ready-made marketing materials for their business.
The more time your template saves, the more valuable it becomes.
Best Canva Templates to Sell
There are many types of Canva templates to create and sell, but, for the purpose of this post, I will discuss some of the most popular templates below:
Social Media Templates
These are among the most popular Canva products because creators constantly need fresh content to create and maintain a presence on social media.
Popular ideas include:
- Popular ideas include:
- LinkedIn Carousels
- Pinterest Pins
- Instagram Posts
- Instagram Stories
- Facebook Covers
- Facebook Ads
Read – How to become a digital creator
Printable Templates
Printable products remain one of the easiest digital products to sell.
Examples include:
- Planners
- Journals
- Checklists
- Habit Trackers
- Meal Planners
- Wall Art
- Calendars
eBook Templates
Writers, bloggers, and coaches often purchase ready-made templates to speed up the publishing process.
The eBook template market is highly competitive, so you’ll need to create high-quality eBook covers and interiors. Your templates should be eye-catching and easy to use, so that your buyers will get the most out of them.
Popular products include:
- eBook Covers
- Workbook Templates
- Lead Magnet Templates
- Digital Guides
Amazon KDP Templates
The Kindle Direct Publishing market continues to create demand for KDP interiors and covers. Canva makes it a lot easier for KDP creators who are looking for better alternatives to Photoshop, InDesign and PowerPoint.
Popular KDP Canva templates to create and sell;
- Book cover pages
- Low-content book interiors
- Journals
- Planners
- Log Books
- Activity Books
Business Templates
Businesses also purchase editable templates for their daily operations.
Examples include:
- Media Kits
- Proposal Templates
- Invoice Templates
- Presentation Slides
- Brand Guidelines
- Price Lists
Regardless of the kind of Canva template you wish to create and sell, always ensure your designs are high quality and easy to use.
The template market is highly competitive. You must create high quality designs if you want to stand out.
Why Do People Buy Canva Templates If The Platform Is So Easy To Use?
You may have seen how easy it is to create a simple design and wonder,
“Canva is already so easy to use. Why would anyone pay for my designs?”
Don’t listen to that voice in your head! People choose to pay for Canva templates for different reasons and some of them include;
- They rather not create it themselves.
- Canva has a library of templates for anyone, but these templates are everywhere and most people need something unique that will help them stand out.
- Not everyone enjoys designing, even if it’s a simple drag and drop. Some people are not skilled designers and do not want to learn.
- People want to reduce their workload, so they outsource services.
How to make money selling Canva templates – Step by step guide
In this section, you will learn how to create Canva templates to sell. We will discuss each step from creating to listing your first Canva template and provide tips for optimizing your sales and growing your template shop on any marketplace of your choice.
Step 1: Research Existing Canva Templates for Sale
Before you create, you need to know the type of template to design. You don’t have to limit yourself to my list. If the templates ideas in this post do not appeal to your target audience, by all means do a more extensive research for what might sell to them.
Researching a Canva templates to sell means, you must note the sizes, design trends and price range that sell the most. Browse marketplaces like Etsy, Creative Market, Gumroad, and Pinterest to identify:
- Popular template categories
- Design styles
- Bundle sizes
- Pricing
- Customer reviews
Look for patterns instead of copying existing products. Your goal is to understand what buyers need and create something better.
Step 2: Understand Your Target Customer
The best Canva templates are designed for a specific audience. Instead of creating templates for everyone, focus on one niche.
Examples include:
- Bloggers
- Real estate agents
- Coaches
- Teachers
- Small businesses
- Wedding professionals
- Content creators
The better you understand your audience, the easier it becomes to create products they’ll buy.
Step 3: Create Canva Templates People Want to Buy
A beautiful template isn’t always a successful template. Focus on creating products that are:
- Easy to edit
- Well organized
- Mobile-friendly where appropriate
- Consistent in style
- Practical to use
Use clear typography, balanced spacing, and editable placeholders so buyers can customize the design quickly. Whenever possible, create bundles with multiple template variations instead of selling a single design.
As much as possible, avoid copying Canva’s existing templates even if they look very tempting. Here’s why:
- Canva frowns at creators who copy their designs to sell.
- People who buy Canva templates know that there are pre-designed templates on the platform but want something different, so, selling what they can easily copy for free doesn’t do you any good.
- You will not have unique designs
- You will not make sales.
Create original layouts that provide genuine value!
Step 4: Generate Your Template Link
Once your template is complete, generate a Canva template link instead of sharing the original design.
Before publishing your product:
- Test the template link.
- Make sure buyers can create their own copy.
- Keep your original file untouched.
- Double-check every page for errors.
Step 5: Package Your Product Professionally
A professional presentation increases trust and improves conversions.
Include:
- A PDF containing the Canva template link.
- Clear instructions for accessing the template.
- Information about what’s included.
- Any licensing or usage notes.
If you’re selling a bundle, organize all files logically so customers can find everything easily.
Grab this free template and customize to your taste. 100% free to use.
Free Canva Template for sharing links
Step 6: Price Your Canva Templates
Pricing depends on the quality, complexity, and value of your templates.
Before setting a price:
- Research similar products.
- Compare bundle sizes.
- Consider your target audience.
- Factor in marketplace fees.
Rather than competing on price alone, focus on creating products that deliver more value than your competitors. The important factor is to ensure you are making sustainable profit per sale after fees. Do not underprice or overprice your products!
How to make money selling digital products
Best Places to Sell Canva Templates
Once your Canva templates are ready, the next step is deciding where to sell them. The best platform depends on your goals. Some marketplaces bring you customers, while others give you more control over your business but require you to generate your own traffic.
Many successful sellers don’t rely on just one platform. They start with a marketplace to gain visibility and gradually build their own website as their business grows.
| Platform | Base Platform Cut | Traffic Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | 6.5% | High Internal | Beginners who want built-in traffic |
| Gumroad | 10% + $0.50 | None (Bring Own) | Creators with an existing audience |
| 50% (before tax) | High Premium | Professional designers | |
| Payhip (Free) | 5% | None (Bring Own) | Beginners building their own store |
| Ko-fi | 5% | None (Bring Own) | Small creators and freelancers |
| Creative Fabrica | 25% to 50% (or Pool) | High (Crafters) | Printable and craft creators |
| Design Bundles | 25% to 50% | High (Crafters) | Digital product sellers |
| Shopify | Monthly subscription | None (Bring Own) | Established businesses |
| Self-Hosted WordPress | Hosting Fees | None (Bring Own) | Long-term business owners |
Etsy
Etsy is one of the most popular places to sell Canva templates because millions of people visit the marketplace every month looking for digital products. If you’re new to selling online and don’t already have an audience, Etsy is an excellent place to start.
The biggest advantage is its built-in traffic. Buyers are already searching for planners, Pinterest templates, Instagram templates, wedding invitations, and other digital downloads. However, you’ll also face plenty of competition, so your product images, titles, descriptions, and keywords need to stand out.
Gumroad
Gumroad is a great choice if you already have a blog, Pinterest account, YouTube channel, email list, or social media following. Unlike Etsy, Gumroad doesn’t have a large marketplace where customers browse for products. Instead, it provides a simple storefront where you can sell directly to your audience.
It’s easy to set up, delivers digital products automatically, and gives you more control over your branding.
Payhip
Payhip makes selling digital products simple without requiring you to build a full eCommerce website. It handles payments, file delivery, discount codes, and even affiliate marketing features, making it a popular option for creators.
Like Gumroad, Payhip doesn’t generate much traffic on its own, so you’ll need to promote your products through your blog, social media, Pinterest, or email marketing.
Creative Market (Not Recommended)
This platform is my least favorite because of its high fees! It takes 50% off every sale and leaves you to handle up to 30% tax from your share of the sale. SO, you may end up with a measly 20% from every sale.
Creative Market is known for premium digital design assets, making it an excellent marketplace for professionally designed Canva templates. Buyers on the platform are often willing to pay more for high-quality products, but they also expect polished designs and detailed product listings.
If you create branding kits, presentation templates, social media bundles, or business templates, Creative Market can be a strong choice. But I do not recommend them!
Design Bundles
Design Bundles specializes in digital downloads for designers, crafters, and small businesses. The platform attracts buyers looking for fonts, SVG files, templates, and other creative resources.
Offering Canva template bundles rather than individual designs can help you attract more buyers and increase your average order value.
Creative Fabrica
Creative Fabrica has become a popular marketplace for printables, planners, educational resources, and craft-related digital products. If your Canva templates target teachers, printable sellers, or hobby crafters, it’s worth considering.
Because many shoppers visit Creative Fabrica specifically for creative resources, your products can reach a highly targeted audience.
Shopify
Shopify allows you to build your own online store with complete control over your branding, pricing, and customer experience. Unlike marketplaces, you own the customer relationship and don’t compete directly with other sellers on the same platform.
The downside is that Shopify doesn’t provide built-in traffic. You’ll need to generate visitors through SEO, Pinterest, social media, paid advertising, or email marketing.
Best for: Established businesses and growing brands.
WordPress + WooCommerce
If you already own a WordPress website, selling Canva templates through WooCommerce can be one of the most profitable long-term options. You keep more of your profits, control your customer data, and aren’t limited by marketplace rules.
The trade-off is that you’re responsible for attracting visitors, processing marketing, and maintaining your website. If you already have a blog with steady traffic, this can become your most valuable sales channel over time.
Ko-fi
Ko-fi is a simple platform that lets creators sell digital products alongside memberships, commissions, and donations. It’s easy to set up and works well if you already have a loyal community.
While it doesn’t offer the marketplace traffic of Etsy or Creative Market, it’s an excellent option for creators who want a lightweight storefront without the complexity of a full eCommerce website.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
If you’re just getting started, Etsy is usually the easiest place to make your first sales because of its built-in traffic.
If you already have a blog, Pinterest account, YouTube channel, or email list, platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, or your own WordPress website can help you keep more of your profits while building your own brand.
Many Canva sellers use a combination of platforms. For example, they sell on Etsy to reach new customers while also offering their templates on their own website, where they have complete control over pricing, branding, and customer relationships.
Promoting your templates for more sales
After you create and publish your products for sale, you need to promote them as much as you can so that more people can find them. Here are a few ideas;
- List your products on more marketplaces.
- Post an update about them on your social media feed and stories and add a product link in the post or your Instagram bio.
- If you have a blog, share the good news and publish a post about your designs. You can also add promotional banners in your posts and sidebar.
- Let your email subscribers know that you’ve added new products to your shop.
- Invest in paid ads.
- Optimize your products for search engine
Canva Media License
Before you sell your Canva templates, you must understand the rights you have to use the media on the platform and agree to them accordingly. Canva is pretty straightforward about what you can and can not do with their creative media.
I highly recommend you go through and understand your rights. Learn more about the Canva media license agreement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many beginners struggle because they make avoidable mistakes.
Some of the most common include:
- Copying existing Canva templates.
- Designing for themselves instead of their audience.
- Using too many Canva Pro elements.
- Creating confusing layouts.
- Underpricing products.
- Publishing poor-quality preview images.
- Skipping market research.
Questions you may ask;
How much will I earn monthly selling Canva templates?
While I can not give you a definite answer of how much you will make from selling templates, here are some factors that will determine your success in this field.
- The quality of your designs.
- The price you charge.
- The demand for your products.
If you are able to produce high-quality Canva templates and price them competitively, you could potentially make a significant income all year round.
Realistically, beginners who put in the work can make between $20 and $100 or more per month. You can scale this and see more earning potentials by improving on your skills and staying consistent.
Do I need Canva pro to create designs?
No. Canva Pro offers additional features and assets, but you can create and sell templates using the free plan.
Can you use pro elements on template designs?
Be careful. Buyers without Canva Pro may need to replace premium elements or upgrade their account before using your template.
Is it legal to sell Canva templates?
You can sell any design you create on Canva, but you can not pick a random Canva template and bundle it as yours.
Positive affirmations for running a successful business
Conclusion
Selling Canva templates is one of the simplest ways to start a digital product business. By researching profitable ideas, creating high-quality templates, and focusing on solving real problems for your audience, you can build a library of products that continue generating sales over time.
Once your templates are ready, the next step is learning how to market them and choose the best platforms to sell them. That’s exactly what we’ll cover in the next guide on how to make money selling Canva templates.
I’m rooting for you, stranger!
