How To Create Canva Templates To Sell Online As Digital Products

If you’re looking for a creative way to make money online, Canva templates might be the thing for you. It’s low-cost, high-demand, and doesn’t need any special design degree to get started.

Just a laptop, a Canva account, and some creative thinking.

I’ve been in the digital product space for a while, and Canva templates are easily one of the most beginner-friendly ways to build passive income.

Think social media posts, workbooks, resumes, planners, and even business templates — these are things small business owners, coaches, content creators, and students use all the time.

And the best part?

You make the template once and sell it over and over again.

Let’s break down exactly how to create Canva templates to sell online — step-by-step.

What Are Canva Templates?

In simple terms, a Canva template is a pre-designed layout that someone else can use and customize.

You create a design, save it as a template link, and your customers can open that link in their own Canva account and make edits however they like.

These templates save people time, give them a head start, and make their projects look professional — without having to start from scratch.

Why Sell Canva Templates?

Here’s why so many people are jumping into this:

Zero inventory: You don’t need to hold stock or ship anything.
Unlimited sales: Once your template is made, it can be sold to hundreds or thousands of people.
Low startup cost: Canva is free to use, and you only need a few basic tools to start.
Work from anywhere: You just need WiFi and your creativity.

And according to Etsy’s 2023 Marketplace Insights, digital downloads like Canva templates have seen massive growth — with terms like “editable planner” and “social media template” getting thousands of searches each month. (Source)

Types of Canva Templates That Sell Well

There’s a niche for almost everything, but here are some top-performing categories:

Instagram & Pinterest templates
Planners (daily, weekly, budget, fitness, etc.)
Media kits
Business cards
Workbooks or lead magnets
Resumes & CVs
Thank-you cards or invitations
Course slides and eBooks

If you want to stand out, pick a niche and make designs that solve a real problem for your target audience.

How Do I Create Canva Templates To Sell Online?

1. Pick a Template Niche

Start with something you’re familiar with. Are you a teacher? Make classroom planners. Into fitness? Try workout trackers.

It helps when you understand the needs of the audience you’re designing for.

Also, do a little research on Etsy or Creative Market to see what’s already selling.

2. Create a Canva Account

You can start with the free version of Canva, but Canva Pro gives you access to premium elements and the template sharing feature, which you’ll need if you plan to sell.

Try Canva Pro Free for 30 Days

3. Design Your Template

This is the fun part. Keep your design:

Editable: Make sure users can change text, colors, and images easily.
Clean and simple: Don’t go overboard with fonts or elements.
Consistent: Use a uniform layout style across all pages.

Pro tip: Create a “How to Use” page inside the template for your customers.

4. Share Your Template as a Link

Once your design is done, click “Share” → “Template link.” This is what your customers will use to access and edit the file.

But don’t give them the link directly on a product page — instead, you’ll deliver it inside a PDF download (explained below).

5. Package It for Sale

Create a simple PDF that includes:

A quick thank-you note
Instructions on how to use the template
The Canva template link

You’ll upload this PDF as the actual product your customer receives when they make a purchase.

6. List It on a Marketplace

Popular options include:

On these platforms, you’ll want to add strong product images (mockups of your design), a clear description, keywords, and a price. Canva Pro also lets you create those product mockups easily.

How Much Can You Make Selling Canva Templates?

This depends on your pricing and how much effort you put in. Many sellers charge between $7 to $45 per template — or bundle several templates for $20 to $100.

For example, if you sell a $15 Instagram template pack and get 100 sales a month, that’s $1,500/month in mostly passive income.

Some successful Etsy shop owners make over $10,000/month selling digital downloads — not just from Canva templates, but templates are a big part of it.

Tips to Increase Your Sales

Use SEO: Add relevant keywords in your title and description. Think like a buyer.
Create bundles: People love value. Instead of one resume template, offer a pack of five.
Offer freebies: Build your email list by giving away a free sample template.
Use Pinterest or TikTok: Show off your templates in action.
Update designs: Keep up with trends, especially for seasonal templates.

FAQs

Do I need Canva Pro to sell templates?

Technically no, but to share a template link, you do need Canva Pro. You can try it free for 30 days to get started.

Can I use Canva elements in templates I sell?

Yes, but you must follow Canva’s Content License Agreement. If you’re using Canva Pro elements, only Canva Pro users can reuse those elements, so it’s safer to design using free elements or create your own.

More details: Canva License Info

Where do I market my templates?

Start with Etsy, but don’t stop there. Use Pinterest, Instagram, or a small blog to drive traffic. If you enjoy email marketing, platforms like ConvertKit or Flodesk are great tools to build an audience over time.

How many templates should I start with?

Even one is fine. But aim for at least 5 to 10 listings to give your shop more visibility and let customers see a range of your work.

Final Thoughts

Selling Canva templates online is a low-risk, creative business idea that can bring real results. It doesn’t take a big budget, and you don’t need to be a professional designer. Just a bit of practice, smart marketing, and some consistency.

If you’re already designing things for your own projects — why not turn those designs into products and start making money from them?

What kind of Canva template would you create first? Let me know in the comments or tag me with your ideas!