How to make money with Canva templates

Canva has become the go-to tool for creating everything from presentations and business proposals to social media posts, event invitations, and marketing materials. But here’s something exciting—you can actually make money by designing and selling your own Canva templates!

Yes, turning your creativity into a source of passive income is totally possible with Canva. Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, or simply someone who loves playing around with layouts and colors, selling templates can help you build a digital product business from the comfort of your home.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selling Canva templates online—from how much you can earn and what types of templates sell best, to the platforms where you can list your designs and how to get started step by step

Why Selling Canva Templates Is a Smart Idea

If you’re thinking about diving into the world of digital products, Canva templates are a great place to start. Here’s why:

1. A Reliable Income Stream
Selling Canva templates can help you earn extra income on the side or even grow into a full-time business. Whether you’re a freelancer, a stay-at-home parent, or a side hustler, this is a low-investment way to make money online.

2. Grow Your Creativity & Design Skills
Designing templates isn’t just profitable—it’s fun! You get to explore your creativity and improve your graphic design skills, all while helping others create professional content easily.

3. Open Doors to Bigger Opportunities
Many successful digital entrepreneurs began by selling a single Canva template. Over time, that small start evolved into online stores, branding businesses, or full-fledged design agencies. The potential is truly limitless.

Bonus Insight: Even though there are already thousands of templates on Canva (including their official designs), the demand for high-quality, niche-specific templates is still booming. There’s always room for fresh ideas and new creators.

How Much Can You Earn by Selling Canva Templates in India?

Selling Canva templates online is becoming a popular way to earn passive income in India. Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or creative entrepreneur, this business model can bring in consistent earnings when done right.

Average Earnings in Indian Rupees
Canva templates typically sell for around ₹1,000 to ₹1,300 per template on platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, and even personal websites.
If you sell just 500 templates, your income could range from ₹5,00,000 to ₹6,50,000 or more.

Your income depends on:

• The type of templates you create (planners, resumes, social media kits, etc.)
• Your target audience and niche
• The marketing strategy you use
• Your chosen selling platform

Investment & Costs to Start a Canva Template Business

One of the best parts about this business is that it has very low startup costs, especially when compared to other online businesses.

1. Canva Account

• Canva Free Plan: ₹0/month – Good for basic design
• Canva Pro Plan: ₹499/month or ₹3,999/year (billed annually) – Ideal for accessing premium features, elements, and tools

2. Licensing Fees

If you’re using Canva Pro elements in your templates for commercial use, you might need a Canva Distribution License. Always check Canva’s Terms of Use and Content Licensing Agreement to stay compliant.

3. Platform or Website Fees

• Your Own Website:
  • Hosting: ₹300 to ₹800/month
  • Domain name: ₹800 to ₹1,000/year
• Selling on Marketplaces (like Etsy):
  • Listing fees: Approx. ₹15–₹25 per item
  • Transaction + processing fees: Around 10–15% of the product price

4. Optional Tools (for better marketing)

• Photoshop: ₹1,675/month (Adobe Photography Plan)
• Figma/Illustrator: ₹1,600–₹2,000/month depending on your plan
  These tools help you create stunning mockups and product images for your listings.

Types of Canva Templates You Can Create and Sell

The beauty of Canva is that the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re targeting small businesses, students, influencers, or professionals, you can create and sell Canva templates that truly add value. Here are some popular and high-demand template ideas you can explore:

1. Social Media Templates

Perfect for influencers, digital marketers, and small businesses in India.

• Instagram post templates
• Facebook cover photos
• YouTube thumbnails
• Instagram story highlight covers
• LinkedIn banners
• WhatsApp business status designs

2. Website & Blog Graphics

Ideal for bloggers, coaches, and eCommerce stores.

• Website banners
• Blog post featured images
• Hero sections
• Call-to-action buttons
• Logo templates
• Backgrounds and footers

3. Email Templates

Email marketing is growing fast in India. Make it easier for brands with:

• Newsletter templates
• Product promotion layouts
• Welcome email sequences

4. Digital Products

Create ready-to-use educational or productivity templates.

• Workbooks and worksheets (for students or course creators)
• eBooks and guides
• Printable planners and calendars
• Study planners and to-do lists

5. Business & Marketing Tools

Support small and medium Indian businesses with professional templates.

• Presentations and pitch decks
• Infographics and graphs
• Brochures, flyers, and posters
• Business cards and letterheads
• Signboards and shopfront ads

6. Event & Festival Templates

Customize for Indian occasions like weddings, birthdays, and festivals.

• Wedding invitation cards
• Event menus and place cards
• Greeting cards for Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, etc.
• Gift tags and thank you cards

7. Job & Resume Templates

Help job seekers and freelancers with:

• Modern CV/resume designs
• Cover letter formats
• Portfolio templates

8. Stickers & Printables

Trending among kids, teachers, and creatives.

• Printable sticker sheets
• Classroom decoration cutouts
• Motivational quote stickers
• Label tags for jars, gifts, and storage

Where to Sell Your Canva Templates (Best Platforms for Indian Creators)

Once you’ve designed your stunning Canva templates, the next step is finding the right platform to sell and grow your passive income. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already a digital product creator, here are the top places to sell Canva templates, especially suited for Indian sellers:

1. Etsy – Great for Beginners

Etsy is a globally trusted marketplace that allows users to sell both physical and digital products. It’s beginner-friendly and a popular choice for Indian sellers entering the digital products space.

Why Etsy?

• Easy to set up a store without a website
• Global audience = high visibility
• Perfect for selling templates like resumes, planners, social media posts, etc.

Cost Breakdown (in INR):

• ₹16 (approx.) listing fee per product
• 6.5% transaction fee
• Payment processing fee (varies by location)
• Etsy Plus (optional): ₹830/month (approx.) with added features

Pro Tip: Use Etsy SEO, attractive thumbnails, and offer bundles to increase visibility.

2. Creative Market – For Premium Digital Assets

Creative Market is a professional platform focused solely on digital products. Ideal if your templates are high quality and design-heavy (like branding kits or website elements).

Why Creative Market?

• Great exposure to design-focused buyers
• Perfect for templates, fonts, icons, social media kits
• No upfront fee to list products

Cost to Note:
Creative Market charges a 50% commission on every sale.

3. Your Own Website – Keep 100% Profits

Having your own website gives you complete control over pricing, branding, and marketing.

Why build a website?

• No commission or marketplace fees
• Full control over customer experience
• Build a loyal email list and community

Tools you can use:

• WordPress + WooCommerce (recommended for customization)
• Shopify (easy to use but has monthly charges)
• Squarespace or Wix for drag-and-drop building

Investment Required:

Optional: Email marketing tool, SSL, and theme/template costs

Domain + Hosting: Around ₹2,000–₹4,000/year

4. Sell via Landing Pages (No Website Needed)

Not ready to build a full site? Create standalone sales pages for each product.

Tools to Try:

• Flodesk Checkout
• ConvertKit
• Carrd
• Podia

These platforms let you:

• Design attractive landing pages
• Collect payments through Stripe or Razorpay
• Deliver files automatically

Ideal for digital creators selling to their Instagram followers, email subscribers, or through YouTube.

Summary: Best Platform for You?

Platform	Best For	Costs	Profit Retention
Etsy	Beginners & global reach	Low setup, % fees	Medium
Creative Market	Premium designers	No setup, 50% fees	Medium-Low
Your Website	Full-time creators	Moderate investment	High
Landing Pages	Social media & email sellers	Low to moderate	High

Selling Canva templates is a smart way to earn passive income online—whether you’re a freelancer, student, homemaker, or creative entrepreneur. You don’t need to be a professional designer or tech expert. All you need is creativity, consistency, and the right steps. Here’s a simple 6-step process to get started:

Step 1: Sign Up for a Canva Account

Head to Canva.com and create a free account. If you’re serious about designing premium templates, consider upgrading to Canva Pro (approx. ₹1,200/month or ₹9,900/year).

Canva Pro Benefits:

• Access to premium fonts, images, and elements
• Background remover tool
• Brand kits & advanced export options
• Option to create shareable template links

Pro Tip: Start with the free version, then upgrade once you begin earning.

Step 2: Design Your Canva Templates

This is where your creativity shines! You can design templates for:

• Social media (Instagram posts, reels, Pinterest pins)
• Resumes and cover letters
• Business cards and logos
• Planners, journals, and digital notebooks
• E-books and lead magnets

Tips for Designing:

• Use Canva’s “Template Link” feature to allow buyers to use your designs
• Avoid using Pro elements if your customer doesn’t have Pro access
• Take inspiration from Behance, Dribbble, Pinterest, and Etsy—but never copy

Step 3: Prepare Your Deliverables

After creating your designs, make them easy to download and use. Here’s how:

1. Click “Share” → “Template Link” in Canva
2. Embed that link inside a branded PDF guide
3. Deliver via email, Google Drive, Dropbox, or through your sales page

Step 4: Create Marketing Content

Buyers love visuals. Create mockup images that showcase your templates in real-world use.

Use tools like:

• Canva itself
• Smartmockups
• Placeit
• Photoshop (if you’re advanced)

Add product titles, descriptions, and benefit highlights to boost conversions.

Step 5: Publish Your Templates Online

Now it’s time to upload and sell your templates on platforms like:

• Etsy – Great for beginners
• Creative Market – Ideal for premium designs
• Your own website – 100% profit and full control
• Landing pages using Flodesk, ConvertKit, or Gumroad

Step 6: Promote Like a Pro

Templates won’t sell themselves. Use smart marketing strategies to increase visibility:

Social Media

• Post reels, carousels, and behind-the-scenes videos on Instagram
• Use trending audio and showcase your design process
• Add your shop link in the bio (use tools like Linktree or Beacons)

Email Marketing

• Send newsletters featuring your new templates
• Offer freebies in exchange for emails (lead magnets)
• Send “abandoned cart” reminders and discount codes

Collaborate with Others

• Partner with influencers, bloggers, or digital coaches
• Offer them an affiliate link or commission
• Do giveaways or bundle deals for cross-promotion

If you’re wondering what types of Canva templates actually sell, you’re not alone. The demand for easy-to-use, professional, and visually appealing templates is booming—especially across specific niches. Whether you’re a freelancer, side hustler, or full-time digital creator, here are 16 profitable Canva template types to inspire your next creation:

1. Social Media Templates

Design ready-to-use posts, carousels, stories, and cover images for Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Perfect for content creators, influencers, and small business owners.

2. E-commerce & Marketing Templates

Create product catalogs, sale banners, promotional posters, mockups, email newsletters, and ad creatives.
Ideal for Shopify store owners and digital marketers.

3. Personal Branding & Resume Templates

Design modern resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn banners, and full branding kits.
Great for job seekers, coaches, and consultants.

4. Event & Wedding Templates

Offer invitations, save-the-dates, seating charts, wedding signage, and event programs.
Must-have for event planners and couples.

5. Health & Fitness Templates

Develop fitness planners, meal prep guides, habit trackers, and wellness journals.
Perfect for coaches, influencers, and gyms.

6. Education & E-learning Templates

Craft worksheets, lesson plans, flashcards, certificates, and online course slides.
Ideal for teachers, tutors, and edupreneurs.

7. Food & Recipe Templates

Design recipe cards, meal planners, menu templates, and food blog graphics.
Loved by chefs, food bloggers, and nutritionists.

8. Travel & Tourism Templates

Offer travel itineraries, packing lists, journals, and destination guides.
Great for travel bloggers, agencies, and vloggers.

9. Business & Corporate Templates

Sell presentation decks, proposals, business cards, letterheads, and brand guidelines.
Perfect for entrepreneurs, consultants, and startups.

10. Real Estate Templates

Build property listing flyers, rental agreements, real estate brochures, and open house invites.
Useful for agents, developers, and property managers.

11. Healthcare & Medical Templates

Design patient forms, appointment cards, health trackers, and educational brochures.
Ideal for doctors, clinics, therapists, and health coaches.

12. Photography & Portfolio Templates

Create photo albums, contracts, watermarks, and portfolio layouts.
Great for photographers, designers, and artists.

13. Arts & Crafts Templates

Design templates for workshops, printable art, DIY guides, and product labels.
Popular among artists, Etsy sellers, and teachers.

14. Greeting Cards & Invitation Templates

Craft cards for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and thank-you notes.
A must for crafters, stationery shops, and event planners.

15. Interior Design & Home Decor Templates

Develop mood boards, renovation planners, and home styling guides.
Ideal for designers, stylists, and realtors.

16. Environmental & Sustainability Templates

Build eco campaign graphics, green business reports, and awareness infographics.
Loved by NGOs, sustainability bloggers, and eco brands.

The best part about selling Canva templates is that you don’t need a big investment to get started. With just a bit of creativity and some basic design skills, you can begin your journey toward building a steady source of passive income from the comfort of your home.

All you need is:
1. knowledge of Canva or design tools
2. clear idea of what your audience is looking for
3. A place to sell your templates—be it your own website or platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Creative Market

Take your time to explore, experiment, and build your digital product library. As you grow, you’ll learn more about what sells best and how to market your work effectively.

Pro Tip: Platforms like Flodesk can also help you collect emails and build a loyal customer base—many even offer free trials, so you can test before you invest.

Bookmark this guide and come back to it whenever you need a refresher. You could be just one template away from creating your own digital success story!

Who Buys Canva Templates?

Canva templates are in high demand because they help people save time, money, and effort. Not everyone has the skill—or the time—to create stunning visuals from scratch or hire a designer. That’s where readymade templates come in handy.

Here are some of the most common buyers of Canva templates:

Bloggers, Influencers & Content Creators
They constantly need eye-catching designs for Instagram posts, YouTube thumbnails, Pinterest pins, and more.

Individuals with Personal Projects
From planning weddings and baby showers to creating home decor or printable planners, many people prefer customizable templates to get started quickly.

Small Business Owners & Freelancers
Entrepreneurs who run businesses solo often rely on templates for proposals, business cards, brochures, and social media graphics.

Teachers & Educators
Whether it’s printable flashcards, fun classroom posters, or editable calendars, templates make it easier for teachers to create engaging materials without needing design skills.

In short, Canva templates are a time-saving solution for anyone who wants professional-quality design without the hassle.

FAQs