How To Create Canva Templates To Sell Online as Digital Products

Introduction.

Selling digital products has become one of the easiest and most accessible ways to make money online, especially if you have a creative streak. Canva, a popular design tool, is a game-changer for anyone looking to jump into this market.

If you’re someone who loves creating beautiful designs and has a knack for making things look professional, why not turn that passion into a profitable business?

In this article, I’ll walk you through how you can create Canva templates and sell them online as digital products.

The great thing about this is that you don’t need to be a professional designer or have an advanced degree in graphic design.

With Canva, you can easily create stunning templates that people will want to buy, from social media posts and business cards to planners and presentations.

Why Selling Canva Templates is a Good Idea

The digital product market is booming, and templates are in high demand. According to Statista, the global digital content market was valued at over $200 billion in 2023, and it’s only expected to grow.

People and businesses are constantly looking for ways to save time and effort in their work, and templates offer a perfect solution.

Whether it’s an entrepreneur looking for a social media content calendar or a student who needs a sleek PowerPoint template, there’s always someone who needs your design skills.

Plus, once you create a template, you can sell it over and over again with minimal effort on your part. This is what makes selling Canva templates such an attractive passive income opportunity.

What You’ll Need to Start

Before you jump in and start designing, there are a few things you’ll need to get started:

A Canva Pro account: While Canva offers a free version, a Pro account will give you access to premium templates, images, fonts, and other advanced features that are perfect for creating templates. Plus, Canva Pro allows you to create templates that others can use without any issues.
A marketplace to sell your templates: You’ll need a platform to sell your digital products. Websites like Etsy, Creative Market, and Gumroad are popular choices for selling templates. You can also create your own website if you want more control over your sales.
A payment processor: If you’re selling templates on your own site, you’ll need a way to accept payments. PayPal, Stripe, and others make it easy to handle transactions.

Now that you have everything in place, let’s dive into the actual steps for creating Canva templates that will sell.

How Do I Create Canva Templates To Sell Online as Digital Products?

1. Choose Your Niche.

First things first, you need to figure out what kind of templates you want to make. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to create everything, but focusing on a specific niche can help you stand out. Consider your interests and areas of expertise.

Do you love creating social media content, or are you more into business materials like resumes, invoices, and marketing brochures?

Some popular categories for Canva templates include:

Social media templates: Instagram posts, Facebook covers, and Pinterest pins.
Business templates: Resumes, business cards, and presentations.
Event planning templates: Wedding invites, party planners, and event schedules.
Educational templates: Study planners, worksheets, and lesson plans.

The key is to choose a niche that has demand but isn’t oversaturated with competition. If you’re unsure, take a look at the best-selling templates on marketplaces like Etsy or Creative Market to get an idea of what’s popular.

2. Create the Template in Canva.

Now comes the fun part—designing your template! Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Pick a format: Canva has tons of templates to choose from. You can start with a blank canvas or use one of their pre-made designs and customize it. Be sure to design your templates in a way that makes them easy for buyers to use. For example, if you’re making a social media post template, leave space for the buyer to add their own images and text.
Make it user-friendly: The goal of a template is to save people time, so make sure your design is easy to edit. Use clear fonts, readable text sizes, and well-organized layers.
Add editable elements: Make sure the elements of the design, like text, images, and colors, are easy for your customers to edit. Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it super easy for anyone to adjust things like text size, font, or colors.
Test your design: Before you finish, make sure everything works. Try using your template as if you were the customer and check if all elements are easily editable. You want your customers to be able to use your templates without any confusion.

3. Save and Organize Your Template.

Once you’re happy with your design, save it in the right file format. Canva lets you save your templates as editable links or as static files (like PDFs). For templates, you’ll want to save your designs as Canva template links.

This will allow your customers to make a copy of the template and edit it on their own Canva account.

You’ll also want to organize your files for easy delivery. If you’re selling multiple templates, create a zip file containing all the necessary files, including any instructions if needed.

4. Write a Clear Product Description.

When listing your templates for sale, make sure to write a clear, appealing description. Highlight the benefits of your templates and explain how easy they are to use.

Include details like the types of businesses or individuals who would benefit from your templates. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for potential buyers to make a purchase.

Also, make sure to include any instructions or guidelines on how to use the templates. Some buyers may be new to Canva and might appreciate a little guidance on how to edit the templates.

5. Upload and Market Your Templates.

Once your templates are ready to go, it’s time to upload them to your chosen platform. Most marketplaces have a simple process for listing digital products, but you’ll need to include your product images, descriptions, and pricing details.

Marketing is key to getting your templates noticed. Here are a few strategies to help you get started:

Social media: Share sneak peeks of your templates on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to generate interest. Use hashtags like #CanvaTemplates and #DigitalProducts to help potential buyers find your creations.
Collaborations: Partner with influencers or other digital creators who can help promote your templates.
Email marketing: Build an email list and send out updates about new templates or special offers.

FAQs

How much should I charge for my Canva templates?

The price of your templates depends on the complexity and niche. Simple social media templates might sell for $5-$15, while more complex designs like business templates or planners can go for $20-$50. Research similar products to get an idea of the pricing in your market.

Can I sell Canva templates on my own website?

Yes! If you prefer more control over your sales and customer interactions, you can sell Canva templates directly from your website using platforms like Shopify, Gumroad, or WordPress.

Do I need any design skills to create Canva templates?

No, Canva is designed to be user-friendly, and you don’t need advanced design skills. If you have a good eye for design and an understanding of what your audience wants, you can create high-quality templates without any design experience.

How do I protect my Canva templates from being copied or stolen?

While it’s difficult to fully protect digital products, you can include terms and conditions with your templates, stating that they’re for personal use only. Watermarking your preview images can also help prevent unauthorized use.