How to Sell Canva Templates & Make Passive Income

Have you ever wondered how people make money selling digital products without constantly working? Selling Canva templates is one of the easiest ways to start earning passive income online. With minimal upfront costs, no technical skills required, and a huge demand for templates, this can be a great side hustle or even a full-time business.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to sell Canva templates successfully—even if you’re a beginner. Stick with me till the end, and you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to start making money!

Why Selling Canva Templates is a Great Passive Income Idea

• Low Startup Cost – You only need a free Canva account to get started! The Pro version offers more features, but you can begin without spending a dime.
• Huge Demand – Entrepreneurs, small business owners, influencers, and coaches all need professionally designed templates.
• No Shipping, No Inventory – Digital products mean no stock management, no delivery hassles, and no overhead costs.
• Truly Passive Income – Once you create and upload your templates, they can sell over and over again with minimal effort.

Sounds good? Now let’s dive into the exact steps to start selling Canva templates.

If you’re interested in other ways to earn without active work, check out these 4 new passive income streams that no one is talking about yet.

1. Find a Profitable Niche

Don’t create generic templates! The more specific you are, the easier it is to attract buyers. Here are some profitable Canva template ideas:

• Ebook templates (coaches, writers, digital product sellers)
• Resume templates (for job seekers)
• Planners & workbooks (students, productivity enthusiasts)
• Business branding kits (logos, social media banners, invoices)
• Real estate marketing materials (flyers, open house invitations)

Pro Tip: Browse Etsy, Creative Market, and Pinterest to see what’s trending. Don’t copy—just get inspiration!

For more ways to sell digital products, check out How to Create & Sell Digital Products in 7 Easy Ways.

2. Design High-Quality Canva Templates

Creating a good template isn’t just about making it look pretty. Your template should be:

• Editable & User-Friendly – Buyers should be able to customize colors, text, and images easily.
• Consistent & Well-Structured – Stick to a clean layout with proper spacing.
• Visually Appealing – Use professional fonts and high-quality, royalty-free images (Canva offers free options).

How to Make a Canva Template for Sale:

1. Open Canva → Create a new design
2. Use Guides & Grids to align elements properly
3. Stick to a color theme & typography style
4. Use Canva’s “Share a Template” feature to generate a template link
5. Test your template by having someone edit it before listing it for sale

If you’re looking for high-paying affiliate programs to promote alongside your templates, here’s a list of Best High-Paying Affiliate Programs for Passive Income.

3. Package & List Your Templates for Sale

Once your template is ready, you need to package it professionally. You can’t just throw a link in an email—you need to present it properly.

What to Include in Your Digital Product Package:

• A PDF file – This will contain the template link and instructions on how to edit it
• Bonus tips – Provide value with a mini guide (e.g., “How to Use These Templates for Maximum Engagement”)
• License details – State if personal or commercial use is allowed

Pro Tip: Upload your PDF file to Google Drive or Dropbox and provide a downloadable link in your store.

4. Where to Sell Canva Templates

You don’t need a website to start. Here are the best platforms to sell Canva templates:

1. Etsy (Best for Beginners)

• Low competition on niche-specific templates
• Easy to set up a shop
• Built-in audience of digital product buyers

2. Creative Market

• Great for premium & high-end templates
• Higher earning potential per sale

3. Shopify or WooCommerce (For long-term business)

• Best for scaling and branding your own store
• You control everything (pricing, policies, marketing)

4. Gumroad & Payhip

• Perfect if you want a simple store without fees
• No need for Etsy’s transaction charges

Pro Tip: Start with Etsy, then expand to your own store once you gain experience. If you want to scale up with your own website, check out How to Create & Sell Online Courses Without Teaching Live.

5. Market & Sell More Templates

Even the best template won’t sell if no one sees it! Here’s how to drive traffic & increase sales:

Optimize Your Etsy Listings

✔ Use SEO-friendly keywords in your title (e.g., “Minimalist Resume Template for Job Seekers”)
✔ Write a detailed description (who it’s for, how it helps)
✔ Add eye-catching mockups (use SmartMockups to showcase your template professionally)

Promote on Pinterest

Pinterest is a goldmine for digital product sales. Create aesthetic pins linking back to your Etsy store.

Join Facebook Groups & Marketplaces

Find small business & freelancer communities where people need templates. Offer a freebie to attract buyers.

Build an Email List

Give away a free template in exchange for email sign-ups, then upsell premium templates later.

Pro Tip: The more niche-specific your templates are, the easier it is to market them! If you’re serious about blogging as another revenue stream, you might like Blogging for Beginners: How to Earn Your First $100.

6. Automate & Scale Your Business

Once you start making sales, it’s time to scale up:

• Create template bundles – Sell multiple templates at a discounted price
• Use automation – Set up an Etsy auto-responder for FAQs
• Launch a website – Build a long-term business with Shopify or WordPress
• Start affiliate marketing – Earn commissions by recommending Canva Pro & other tools

Pro Tip: Keep adding new templates each month to maintain a steady income stream.

Is Selling Canva Templates Worth It?

Absolutely! Selling Canva templates is one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly ways to make passive income online. With the right niche, smart marketing, and consistency, you can start making $500–$2,000 per month or more.

If you’ve been looking for a low-risk, high-reward side hustle, why not give it a shot? Start small, refine your skills, and watch your passive income grow.

Now it’s your turn! What type of templates would you love to create? Let me know in the comments!

The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll make money. So, go create your first Canva template today!