Looking to turn your Canva skills into a profitable venture? You're in the right place. Canva has evolved from a simple graphic design tool into a powerful platform that millions use to create stunning visuals. The best part? You can leverage these same tools to generate income, whether you're seeking a side hustle or a full-time business opportunity.
In this guide, I'll walk you through 7 proven methods to make money with Canva, complete with actionable steps to get started today. From selling templates to offering design services, these strategies work for beginners and don't require advanced design skills—just creativity and determination.
What is Canva and Why It's Perfect for Making Money
Canva is an online design platform used by over 100 million people worldwide. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes creating professional-looking designs accessible to everyone—not just graphic designers. With thousands of templates, fonts, graphics, and photos, Canva simplifies the design process for social media posts, presentations, videos, print materials, and more.
What makes Canva particularly suitable for monetization is its versatility and low barrier to entry. Unlike complex design software that requires months to master, Canva can be learned in hours. This accessibility, combined with the high demand for visual content across industries, creates the perfect opportunity to generate income.
Ready to Start Making Money with Canva?
While Canva's free version is powerful, Canva Pro unlocks features essential for monetization: Background Remover, Brand Kit, Magic Resize, and 100+ million premium stock photos. These tools will help you create higher-quality products faster.Try Canva Pro Free for 30 Days
1. Freelance Graphic Design Services
One of the quickest ways to make money with Canva is by offering design services to businesses and entrepreneurs who lack time or skills to create their own graphics. Many clients specifically request Canva-based designers because they want to be able to edit the designs themselves later.
What You Can Offer:
- Social media graphics (posts, stories, covers)
- Logo design and branding packages
- Presentation slides and pitch decks
- Marketing materials (flyers, brochures, ads)
- Email newsletter templates
How to Get Started:
Create a portfolio showcasing your best Canva designs, then list your services on freelance platforms. Many beginners find their first clients through:
Fiverr
Create specific gigs like “I will design 5 Instagram posts using Canva” starting at $15-25.
Upwork
Set up a profile highlighting your Canva expertise and bid on relevant design projects.
Facebook Groups
Join entrepreneur and small business groups where members frequently need design help.
Pro tip: Offer package deals (like 30 social media templates for $150) to increase your average order value and provide more value to clients.
2. Sell Pre-made Canva Templates
Creating and selling Canva templates is one of the most popular ways to generate passive income. Once you create a template, you can sell it unlimited times without additional work—making it an excellent scalable business model.
Popular Template Types to Sell:
- Instagram carousel and story templates
- Pinterest pin templates
- Media kit templates for influencers
- Resume and CV templates
- Presentation and pitch deck templates
- eBook and workbook templates
- Wedding invitation suites
- Business card and stationery designs
- Social media content calendars
- Lead magnet and opt-in templates
Best Platforms to Sell Your Templates:
Etsy
The most popular marketplace for digital products with millions of potential customers.
Creative Market
Design-focused marketplace with higher price points and quality standards.
Gumroad
Simple platform for selling digital products directly with lower fees.
Important: When selling templates, you must create them from scratch—not modify existing Canva templates. Always check Canva's licensing terms before selling your designs.
3. Create and Sell eBooks and Printables
Canva makes it incredibly easy to create professional-looking eBooks, planners, worksheets, and other printables that people are willing to pay for. These digital products can generate passive income for years after you create them.
Popular Printables That Sell Well:
- Digital planners and journals
- Budget and finance trackers
- Meal planning templates
- Wedding planning checklists
- Home organization printables
- Educational worksheets and activity books
- Recipe cards and cookbooks
- Fitness and habit trackers
The key to success with printables is identifying specific problems your target audience faces and creating solutions they'll gladly pay for. For example, busy parents might purchase meal planning templates to save time, while entrepreneurs might buy business planning workbooks.
How to Sell Your Printables:
You can sell printables on the same platforms mentioned for templates (Etsy, Creative Market, Gumroad), but also consider specialized marketplaces like Teachers Pay Teachers if you create educational resources.
“I started selling simple budget printables on Etsy as a side hustle and now earn over $2,000 monthly in passive income. The best part is I created them once using Canva and they continue to sell without additional work.”
— Sarah, Digital Product Creator
4. Offer Canva Tutorial Services
As Canva continues to add new features, many people struggle to keep up and maximize the platform's potential. This creates an opportunity to offer tutorial services and training to individuals and businesses.
Tutorial Services You Can Offer:
- One-on-one coaching sessions for beginners
- Group workshops for teams and businesses
- Specialized training on advanced features (Brand Kit, Magic Resize, etc.)
- Industry-specific training (Canva for real estate, coaching, e-commerce)
- Canva account organization and cleanup services
How to Get Started:
Begin by creating free content that demonstrates your Canva expertise. This could be YouTube tutorials, blog posts, or social media tips. Once you've built an audience and credibility, offer paid services like:
Live Workshops
Host live training sessions using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. Charge $25-50 per person for group sessions or $75-150 for one-on-one training.
Canva Audit Services
Review clients' Canva accounts and provide recommendations for organization, template usage, and workflow improvements. Charge $100-200 per audit.
Pro tip: Create a simple website or landing page where potential clients can book your services. Use tools like Calendly to manage appointments and payments.
5. Become a Canva Affiliate
If you already have an audience through a blog, YouTube channel, or social media, you can earn commissions by promoting Canva Pro through their affiliate program. Canva pays up to $36 for each new Pro subscriber you refer, depending on the subscription length.
How to Succeed as a Canva Affiliate:
- Create genuine, helpful content that showcases Canva Pro's benefits
- Develop tutorials that demonstrate premium features like Background Remover
- Compare Canva's free vs. Pro versions to highlight the value
- Share your personal experience and results using Canva Pro
- Create resources that naturally incorporate your affiliate links
Content Ideas for Canva Affiliates:
- “10 Time-Saving Canva Pro Features Worth the Investment”
- “How I Created My Entire Website Using Canva Pro”
- “Canva Free vs. Pro: Is the Upgrade Worth It?”
- “7 Canva Pro Hacks That Changed My Design Process”
- “How to Use Canva Pro's Background Remover Like a Pro”
- “Why I Switched from Adobe to Canva Pro (And Saved $600)”
Join the Canva Affiliate Program
Apply to become a Canva affiliate through Impact Radius and earn commissions for every new Pro subscriber you refer. The application process is straightforward, but you'll need to demonstrate how you plan to promote Canva.Apply Now
6. Build a Canva-Focused YouTube Channel
Creating a YouTube channel dedicated to Canva tutorials, tips, and tricks can generate income through ad revenue, sponsorships, and product sales. The demand for Canva content remains strong as new users join the platform daily.
Popular Canva YouTube Content:
- Step-by-step tutorials for specific design types
- Canva hacks and little-known features
- Template customization walkthroughs
- Design challenges and makeovers
- Canva updates and new feature explanations
- Industry-specific Canva applications (e.g., “Canva for Real Estate Agents”)
Monetization Strategies:
YouTube Ads
Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program to earn ad revenue.
Affiliate Marketing
Promote Canva Pro and related tools (like stock photo sites or complementary apps) using affiliate links in your video descriptions.
Sell Your Products
Create and sell Canva templates, courses, or eBooks to your audience who already values your Canva expertise.
Success story: “Design with Canva” by Ronny and Dianna has grown to over 538,000 subscribers by consistently creating helpful Canva tutorials and staying current with new features.
7. Join the Canva Creator Program
The Canva Creator Program allows designers to earn royalties by contributing templates, elements, and educational resources to Canva's library. When Canva users utilize your designs, you earn a share of the royalty pool.
What You Can Contribute:
- Templates for various purposes (social media, presentations, etc.)
- Graphic elements and illustrations
- Educational resources and guides
- Photos and videos (if you're a photographer or videographer)
While the Creator Program is currently in beta with a waitlist, it's worth applying now to secure your spot when it expands. Successful creators can earn substantial passive income as millions of Canva users potentially use their designs.
Note: The Canva Creator Program is different from the former Canva Contributor Program (which is no longer accepting submissions). The Creator Program focuses on templates and educational content rather than stock elements.
Join the Canva Creator Program Waitlist
While the program is in beta with limited access, you can join the waitlist to be notified when more creators are accepted. This is a great opportunity to earn passive income from your design skills.Join Waitlist
Essential Canva Features for Monetization
To maximize your earning potential with Canva, familiarize yourself with these powerful features that will help you create professional designs efficiently:
Magic Design
This AI-powered feature can generate designs based on your prompts, helping you create templates faster. Use it for inspiration or as a starting point for your custom designs.
Background Remover
A Canva Pro feature that instantly removes backgrounds from images. Essential for creating professional-looking graphics, logos, and product mockups that sell at higher prices.
Brand Kit
Store your (or your clients') brand colors, fonts, and logos for consistent designs. This feature saves time and ensures professional results across all your projects.
Magic Resize
Instantly resize designs for different platforms (e.g., turn an Instagram post into a Pinterest pin). This Pro feature is invaluable when creating template bundles to sell.
Content Planner
Schedule and publish content directly to social media platforms. Perfect for offering social media management services to clients.
Canva Docs
Create interactive documents that combine text, media, and design elements. Ideal for creating comprehensive eBooks, guides, and workbooks to sell.
5 Actionable Tips for Making Money with Canva
1. Analyze Trending Designs
Regularly browse Pinterest, Instagram, and Etsy to identify design trends. Create templates that align with current styles but offer unique elements. This research helps you create products people actually want to buy.
2. Use Canva's Brand Kit for Consistency
Create a consistent visual identity across all your designs by setting up a Brand Kit with your color palette, fonts, and logo. Consistency builds recognition and perceived professionalism, allowing you to charge premium prices.
3. Create Template Bundles
Instead of selling individual templates, bundle related designs together (e.g., “50 Instagram Story Templates” or “Complete Pinterest Strategy Kit”). Bundles command higher prices while providing better value to customers.
4. Develop a Niche Specialty
Focus on serving a specific industry or need rather than creating generic designs. Specialized templates for real estate agents, life coaches, or food bloggers can command higher prices and face less competition.
5. Leverage the Power of Mockups
Use product mockups to showcase your templates in realistic settings. This helps potential buyers visualize how your designs will look in action, increasing perceived value and conversion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Canva Pro to make money with Canva?
While you can start with Canva's free version, Canva Pro significantly increases your earning potential by providing access to premium features like Background Remover, Brand Kit, Magic Resize, and 100+ million stock photos. These tools help you create higher-quality products faster and offer more comprehensive services to clients. The investment ($12.99/month or $119.99/year) typically pays for itself quickly through increased earnings.
Can I sell templates I create with Canva?
Yes, you can sell templates you create from scratch in Canva. However, you cannot modify existing Canva templates and sell them as your own. Always create original designs and be aware of Canva's licensing terms regarding elements and photos used in your templates. For commercial products, use elements you have rights to or that are licensed for commercial use.
How do I deliver Canva templates to customers?
The most common method is to create a shareable template link in Canva and include it in a PDF guide that explains how to access and use the template. This PDF is delivered as a digital download through your selling platform (Etsy, Gumroad, etc.). Some sellers also include video tutorials showing how to customize the templates for best results.
How much can I realistically earn with Canva?
Earnings vary widely based on your approach, time investment, and marketing efforts. Freelance designers using Canva can charge $25-75 per hour or set project-based rates ($50-300 per project). Template sellers on Etsy report monthly earnings ranging from $500 to $5,000+. The key is consistency, quality, and gradually building your audience or client base.
Do I need design experience to make money with Canva?
No, you don't need formal design experience to make money with Canva. The platform is designed to be user-friendly for beginners. However, developing a good eye for design through practice and studying successful examples will help you create more marketable products. Start by mastering Canva's basic features, then gradually learn more advanced techniques as you grow your skills.
Start Your Canva Money-Making Journey Today
Making money with Canva is accessible to anyone willing to learn the platform and consistently apply these strategies. The key is to start small, focus on quality, and gradually expand your offerings as you gain experience and confidence.
Whether you choose to offer freelance services, sell templates, create digital products, or pursue any of the other methods we've covered, remember that success doesn't happen overnight. Be patient, continue improving your skills, and stay responsive to market trends and customer feedback.
The beauty of using Canva to generate income is its flexibility—you can start with just a few hours per week and scale up as your business grows. Many successful Canva entrepreneurs began with a single template or service offering that evolved into a thriving full-time business.
Ready to Turn Your Canva Skills into Income?
Start with Canva Pro to access premium features that will help you create higher-quality designs and work more efficiently. The 30-day free trial gives you plenty of time to explore all the pro features before committing.Try Canva Pro Free for 30 Days
