How to earn money through Canva

Canva—the user-friendly graphic design tool—has evolved far beyond just creating social media posts.If you ever wondered about How to  earn money through canva , then you are at right place. Today, it’s a goldmine for earning money online, whether you’re a beginner, a freelancer, or a full-time entrepreneur.
But here’s the catch: most people don’t know how to monetize Canva effectively.
If you’ve ever wondered:

* “How to make money through Canva?”
* “What are the best Canva side hustles in 2025?”
* “How do I sell Canva templates for passive income?”

…then you’re in the right place.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore 15 proven ways to earn money through Canva, from selling templates on Etsy to freelancing on Fiverr, and even starting a print-on-demand business.
Let’s dive in!

Why Canva is a Money-Making Powerhouse in 2025

Before we jump into the strategies, let’s understand why Canva is one of the best tools for making money online:
✅ User-Friendly: No advanced design skills needed—drag, drop, and customize.
✅ Affordable: Free plan available; Canva Pro (just $12.99/month) unlocks premium features.
✅ High Demand: Businesses, influencers, and marketers constantly need eye-catching designs.
✅ Multiple Income Streams: From freelancing to passive income, Canva fits every business model.
✅ AI-Powered Tools: Canva’s Magic Design, Text to Image, and AI-generated templates speed up workflows.
Now, let’s explore how you can turn Canva into a profitable side hustle—or even a full-time business.

15 Ways to Earn Money Through Canva (Step-by-Step)

1. Sell Canva Templates on Etsy (Passive Income Goldmine)

Best for: Passive income, beginners, creative entrepreneurs
Potential Earnings: $500–$5,000+/month
Keywords: Selling Canva templates on Etsy, how to make money with Canva templates, best Canva templates to sell
Etsy is the #1 marketplace for digital products, and Canva templates are one of the hottest sellers.

What Kinds of Canva Templates Sell Best?

* Social Media Templates (Instagram posts, Pinterest pins, TikTok thumbnails)
* Business & Marketing Templates (flyers, brochures, business cards)
* Resumes & Cover Letters (high demand from job seekers)
* Planners & Printables (daily planners, meal trackers, budget sheets)
* E-Book & Workbook Templates (for coaches and course creators)

How to Start Selling Canva Templates on Etsy

Step 1: Research Trending Templates

* Use Etsy’s search bar (type “Canva template” and filter by “Best Sellers”).
* Check Pinterest trends for popular design styles.

Step 2: Create High-Quality, Customizable Templates

* Use Canva Pro for premium elements.
* Ensure easy editing (include instructions for buyers).
* Offer multiple color schemes to attract more buyers.

Step 3: Set Up Your Etsy Shop

* Shop Name: Keep it simple (e.g., “DesignWithCanva” or “TemplateHaven”).
* Listing Optimization:

Title: “Canva Instagram Post Template – Editable Social Media Kit – Aesthetic Feed Design”
Tags: “Canva template, Instagram post, social media kit, editable design, Pinterest template”
Description: Highlight easy customization, instant download, and commercial use rights.

Step 4: Price Strategically

* $5–$15 per template (or bundle 10 templates for $30–$50).
* Offer discounts for bulk purchases.

Step 5: Promote Your Shop

* Pinterest: Create pins linking to your Etsy store.
* Instagram & TikTok: Show before-and-after edits of your templates.
* Etsy Ads: Start with a small budget ($5/day) to test demand.

Personal Advice: Use Canva’s “Magic Resize” to repurpose one template into multiple formats (e.g., Instagram post → Pinterest pin → Facebook cover).

2. Freelance on Fiverr & Upwork (Get Paid for Custom Designs)

Best for: Freelancers, graphic designers, quick cash
Potential Earnings: $500–$10,000+/month
Keywords: Freelancing with Canva, how to make money on Fiverr with Canva, Canva gigs for beginners

If you enjoy creating custom designs, freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour are perfect for monetizing Canva skills.
Top Canva Freelance Services in Demand
✔ Social Media Graphics (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
✔ Logo & Branding Kits (for small businesses)
✔ Presentation Slides (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
✔ E-Book & Lead Magnet Designs (for marketers)
✔ YouTube Thumbnails & Channel Art
✔ Infographics & Data Visualization

How to Start Freelancing with Canva

Step 1: Choose Your Niche

* Offer “Canva Graphic Design for Social Media.”
* Focus on “Canva Logo Design for Startups” or “Pinterest Pin Design for Bloggers.”

Step 2: Set Up Your Profile

* Fiverr:

• Gig Title: “I will design stunning Instagram posts in Canva – 24-hour delivery”
• Pricing: Start at $10–$30 per design (increase as you get reviews).
• Portfolio: Show 5–10 samples (use Canva’s free templates if needed).

* Upwork:

• Profile Headline: “Canva Expert | Social Media & Branding Designer”
• Hourly Rate: $15–$50/hour (or fixed-price projects).

Step 3: Get Your First Clients

* Bid on Jobs: Look for “Canva design” or “social media graphics” gigs.
* Offer a Discount: First 5 clients get 10% off for reviews.
* Upsell: Offer bulk discounts (e.g., “10 posts for $100 instead of $150”).

Step 4: Deliver Fast & Get Reviews

* Use Canva’s “Brand Kit” to save client colors/fonts.
* Provide editable files (so clients can tweak designs later).
* Ask for testimonials to build credibility.

Personal Advice: Use Canva’s “Magic Write” to draft social media captions for clients—this adds extra value!

3. Start a Print-on-Demand Business

Best for: Passive income, creative entrepreneurs, artists
Potential Earnings: $1,000–$20,000+/month
Keywords: Canva print-on-demand, how to sell Canva designs on Redbubble, best POD niches for Canva

Print-on-Demand (POD) lets you sell custom-designed products (T-shirts, mugs, phone cases) without holding inventory.

How It Works:

1. You design in Canva.
2. Upload to a POD platform (Printify, Redbubble, Teespring).
3. When someone buys, the platform prints & ships—you keep the profit.

Best Canva Designs for POD

🎨 Trendy Niche Ideas:

* Funny & Sarcastic Quotes (e.g., “I Paused My Game to Be Here”)
* Minimalist Aesthetic (for home decor, notebooks)
* Pet Lovers (custom dog/cat designs)
* Fitness & Motivation (gym quotes, workout trackers)
* Pop Culture & Fandoms (Harry Potter, Marvel, anime)

Step-by-Step Guide to POD with Canva

Step 1: Choose a POD Platform

PlatformBest ForPayoutRedbubbleArt prints, stickers, apparelRoyalty-basedPrintify + EtsyCustom merchandiseHigher profit marginsTeeSpringT-shirts, hoodiesGood for beginnersZazzleUnique products (wedding invites, business cards)Commission-based

Step 2: Design in Canva

* Use high-resolution (300 DPI) for print quality.
* Remove backgrounds (use Canva’s “Background Remover”).
* Stick to simple, scalable designs (avoid too much detail).

Step 3: Upload & Optimize Listings

* Title: “Funny Cat Lover T-Shirt – Cute Gift for Cat Owners”
* Description: Include keywords like “unique cat design, funny pet shirt, best gift for cat lovers.”
* Tags: “cat shirt, funny pet tees, custom animal design.”

Step 4: Drive Traffic

* Pinterest: Create pins linking to your store.
* Instagram Reels/TikTok: Show your designs in action.
* Facebook Groups: Share in niche communities (e.g., “Cat Lovers Unite”).

Personal Advice: Use Canva’s “Magic Design” to generate AI-powered POD designs in seconds!

4. Create & Sell Digital Planners

Best for: Passive income, organizers, coaches
Potential Earnings: $300–$10,000+/month
Keywords: How to sell Canva planners, digital planner business, best Canva printables to sell
Digital planners are booming—people love customizable, printable, or digital planners for productivity, fitness, and finance.

Types of Planners That Sell Well

📅 Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planners
💰 Budget & Finance Trackers
🍽 Meal Planners & Grocery Lists
🏋 Fitness & Workout Journals
📚 Student & Teacher Planners
👶 Pregnancy & Baby Milestone Trackers

How to Make & Sell Canva Planners

Step 1: Choose a Planner Type

* GoodNotes/Notability: Hyperlinked PDFs for iPad users.
* Printable: Simple PDFs for home printing.
* Editable: Canva templates with text boxes.

Step 2: Design in Canva

* Use grids, icons, and pastel colors for a clean look.
* Add hyperlinks (for digital planners).
* Include instructions on how to use.

Step 3: Sell on Etsy, Gumroad, or Your Website

* Etsy: Best for beginners (high traffic).
* Gumroad: Lower fees, great for digital downloads.
* Your Own Site: Use Shopify or WooCommerce for full control.

Step 4: Price & Promote

* $8–$25 per planner (or bundle 3 for $30).
* Promote on Pinterest (create pins with “Free Sample Page” to attract buyers).

Personal Advice: Offer customization (e.g., “Add your name for $5 extra”).

5. Offer Canva Design Services on Social Media

Best for: Freelancers, influencers, quick cash
Potential Earnings: $500–$5,000+/month
Keywords: Canva design services, how to get clients on Instagram with Canva, social media design side hustle
If you’re active on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, you can monetize Canva skills by offering design services directly to followers.

How to Get Clients on Social Media

Step 1: Pick a Niche

* Small Businesses (restaurants, salons, coaches)
* Influencers & Bloggers (YouTube thumbnails, Instagram carousels)
* Real Estate Agents (property flyers, social media ads)

Step 2: Post Samples & Testimonials

* Before & After posts (e.g., “Turned this boring flyer into THIS!”).
* Client testimonials (even if free work at first).
* Reels/TikToks showing your design process.

Step 3: Offer a Simple Service Package
ServicePriceDelivery Time5 Instagram Posts$5048 hoursLogo + Brand Kit$1003 daysYouTube Thumbnail$1524 hours

Step 4: Use DMs to Close Sales

* Example Pitch:

“Hi [Name]! I noticed your Instagram posts could use a refresh. I specialize in Canva designs for [niche]—here’s a free sample I made for you. If you like it, I can do 5 posts for just $50!”

Personal Advice: Run a “24-Hour Design Challenge” on Instagram Stories—offer discounted designs to the first 5 DMs.

6. Teach Canva on YouTube or Udemy (Passive Income from Courses)

Best for: Educators, experts, long-term passive income
Potential Earnings: $1,000–$50,000+/year
Keywords: How to teach Canva online, Canva course ideas, best Canva tutorials for beginners
If you’re good at Canva, why not teach others and earn passive income from courses?

Where to Sell Canva Courses

🎥 YouTube (Ad Revenue + Affiliate Links)
📚 Udemy (Course Marketplace)
💻 Teachable/Kajabi (Your Own Website)
📱 Skillshare (Subscription-Based)

Top Canva Course Ideas

* “Canva for Beginners: Design Like a Pro in 1 Hour”
* “How to Sell Canva Templates on Etsy (Step-by-Step)”
* “Canva for Social Media: Grow Your Brand with Stunning Graphics”
* “Print-on-Demand with Canva: Start a $10K/Month Business”

How to Create & Sell a Canva Course

Step 1: Choose a Topic

* Beginner-friendly? “Canva Basics for Non-Designers.”
* Advanced? “Canva Pro Hacks for Freelancers.”

Step 2: Record & Edit

* Use Canva’s “Screen Recorder” (free) or Loom.
* Keep videos short (5–10 mins) and engaging.

Step 3: Upload & Monetize

* YouTube: Enable ads + promote affiliate links (Canva Pro, Etsy, Printify).
* Udemy: Price at $20–$50 (Udemy takes a cut but drives traffic).
* Your Own Site: Use Teachable (higher profits, no middleman).

Personal Advice: Offer a free mini-course (e.g., “5 Canva Hacks in 5 Minutes”) to build an email list.

7. Join Canva’s Affiliate Program (Earn Commissions Passively)

Best for: Bloggers, YouTubers, social media influencers
Potential Earnings: $200–$5,000+/month
Keywords: Canva affiliate program, how to make money promoting Canva, best affiliate marketing for designers
Did you know Canva has an affiliate program where you earn commissions for referring users?

How the Canva Affiliate Program Works

* Commission: $25 per Canva Pro sign-up (recurring for 12 months).
* Cookie Duration: 30 days (you get credit if they sign up within 30 days).
* Payout: Via PayPal or bank transfer (minimum $50).

How to Promote Canva as an Affiliate

1. Blog Posts & Guides

* “10 Reasons Why Canva Pro is Worth It (2025 Review)”
* “How I Made $1,000/Month with Canva Affiliate Marketing”

2. YouTube Tutorials

* “Canva Pro vs Free: Which One Should You Choose?”
* “How to Use Canva for Social Media (Full Tutorial)”

3. Social Media Posts

* Instagram Carousel: “5 Canva Hacks That Saved Me 10 Hours a Week!”
* TikTok/Reels: “I made $500 in a month just by promoting Canva—here’s how.”

4. Email Marketing

* Send a free Canva template in exchange for email sign-ups, then promote Canva Pro.

Personal Advice: Use bit.ly links to track clicks and optimize promotions.

What Sells Best on Stock Sites?

🖼 Social Media Templates (Instagram, Facebook)
📑 Presentation Slides (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
🎨 Illustrations & Icons (for blogs, apps)
📝 Resumes & Business Cards

How to License Canva Designs

Step 1: Check License Requirements

* Most sites require 100% original work (no Canva Pro elements unless modified).

Step 2: Create High-Quality, Scalable Designs

* Use vector-based elements (so they resize without losing quality).
* Offer multiple file formats (PNG, PDF, Canva editable).

Step 3: Upload & Optimize

* Title: “Minimalist Instagram Story Template – Canva Editable”
* Tags: “Instagram story, Canva template, social media design, editable”
* Description: Explain how to customize the design.

Step 4: Promote Your Portfolio

* Share on Pinterest, Behance, Dribbble to drive traffic.

How Much Can You Really Make with Canva?