How To Use Canva To Create Digital Products (The Easy Way)

Introduction.

If you’re looking to start a side hustle, launch a small business, or just want to make some extra cash online, learning how to use Canva to create digital products is a total game-changer.

You don’t need to be a graphic designer. You don’t need expensive tools. All you need is Canva, a bit of creativity, and a good idea.

Canva is one of the easiest design tools out there. It’s free to use (with a paid version if you want some extras), and it works right in your browser.

I’ve used Canva for everything from Instagram posts to ebooks, and it’s honestly one of the best tools for anyone starting out with digital products.

Now, if you’re wondering what exactly a digital product is, think about things like planners, ebooks, social media templates, printable art, and online course materials.

These are products people can buy, download, and use instantly—no shipping, no inventory, and no packaging. That’s why they’re so popular, and why more people are getting into the digital product space.

Let me walk you through exactly how to use Canva to create digital products that people will actually want to buy.

What Kind of Digital Products Can You Make with Canva?

Here are just a few digital products people are making (and selling!) with Canva:

Planners & Journals (daily, weekly, fitness, budgeting)
Social Media Templates (for Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.)
Printable Art & Wall Decor
Ebooks or Workbooks
Presentation Slides
Checklists and Guides
Lead Magnets for email marketing
Resume templates
Canva templates for other small businesses

These are all beginner-friendly and totally possible to create inside Canva—even if you’ve never designed anything before.

Why Canva Works So Well for Digital Products

Here’s why I love using Canva for this stuff:

It’s free (unless you want premium features)
Templates save a ton of time
Drag-and-drop tools make everything super simple
No design skills needed to make things look good
Ready-to-go export options like PDF, JPG, and PNG
You can reuse and customize your designs over and over

And because Canva is cloud-based, you can work on your products from your laptop, tablet, or even your phone.

How Do I Use Canva To Create Digital Products?

1. Figure Out What You Want to Sell

Before you start designing, you need to pick a product. Think about what your audience wants or what kind of value you can offer. Ask yourself:

What’s something that would save people time?
What problem can I help them solve?
What do I know that I can turn into a product?

Let’s say you decide to make a meal planner. Great! That’s specific, useful, and easy to design.

2. Sign Up or Log Into Canva

Go to Canva.com and create a free account if you don’t have one. It only takes a minute.

Once you’re in, you can search for templates or start from scratch.

3. Choose the Right Size

Pick the right dimensions for your digital product. A few examples:

US Letter (8.5 x 11 in) – for planners, workbooks, journals
1080 x 1920 px – for Instagram Stories
1920 x 1080 px – for presentations or slide decks
210 x 297 mm (A4) – common for international planners

Use Canva’s “Custom Size” option if you need something specific.

4. Use Templates or Create Your Own

Canva has thousands of templates. Seriously. Just type “planner,” “ebook,” or “Instagram template” into the search bar and see what pops up.

Don’t just copy, though—make sure to change the colors, fonts, layout, and text so it’s your own. That way, you can actually sell it.

5. Customize It

Add your own text, brand colors, fonts, and elements. Canva lets you upload images, use free icons, and drag in shapes or illustrations.

Here’s a quick tip: Stick to 2-3 fonts and 1-2 main colors to keep things clean and professional.

6. Double Check Everything

Make sure the spelling is right, the design looks balanced, and everything is aligned. Zoom in and flip through each page if you’re doing a multi-page product like a journal or ebook.

Canva has a grid feature—use it to line things up perfectly.

7. Download Your Product

Once you’re done, click the “Share” button, then “Download.”

Choose the right format:

PDF Print – for high-quality planners, journals, printables
PDF Standard – for ebooks, guides
PNG/JPG – for images like social media templates or wall art

Canva also lets you export with bleed and crop marks if you’re creating products for print.

Bonus: Selling Your Canva Digital Products

Now that you’ve got a product, how do you sell it? Here are a few places you can start:

Etsy – A top choice for planners, templates, and printables
Gumroad – Great for simple digital downloads
Payhip – Easy to use and beginner-friendly
Shopify – If you want your own store
Your own website – Use a platform like ConvertKit Commerce

Make sure to add clear images (mockups help!), a great product description, and easy-to-understand instructions.

FAQs

Can I sell Canva templates I make?

Yes, but only if you follow Canva’s licensing rules. You can’t resell their templates “as-is,” but you can use them as a base to create your own unique product. Read more about their Content License Agreement here.

Is Canva Pro worth it?

If you’re planning to sell digital products regularly, Canva Pro is definitely worth it. You get access to premium templates, stock photos, and brand tools. It’s around $14.99/month (or cheaper yearly).

Can I use free elements in products I sell?

Yes. Just make sure the elements you use are labeled “free” and you’re not selling them in a way that violates Canva’s policies.

What about copyright?

Only use elements that Canva allows for commercial use. Don’t upload images or fonts you don’t have the rights to. Stick with Canva’s library or upload assets you’ve created or licensed yourself.