Business tips & ideas Design trends

How to make money on Canva: Top strategies for success [With expert tips]

October 21, 2024 14 minutes

Canva is a free online graphic design tool for creating graphics for pretty much anything, including social media posts, presentations, educational materials, and print-on-demand products.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to make money on Canva and explore various strategies to monetize your creativity.

Key takeaways

  • You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer to create designs and make money on Canva.
  • Canva is your gateway to passive income streams, like selling print-on-demand products, digital templates, social media graphics, educational resources, and more.
  • Become a Canva Contributor by joining the Canva Creator program to earn royalties from designing templates.
  • Partner with Printify to upload your Canva designs on 900+ custom products and start selling online with the print-on-demand business model.

How to make money with Canva?

Whether using a free Canva account or a Canva Pro account, there are endless ways to make money on the platform.

Let’s go through some of the easiest ways to use this graphics design tool to monetize your creativity.

Create designs for Print-on-Demand products

An illustration of the design process in Printify's Product Creator.

With the global print-on-demand market expected to reach $45.6 billion by 2032, it’s an excellent opportunity to turn your creativity into a profit.

Create images for custom products using Canva or other design tools, then go to our Product Creator to put them on t-shirts, posters, mugs, notebooks, and other merchandise.

By partnering with print-on-demand services like Printify, it’s possible to start selling awesome products with zero upfront costs and automated order fulfillment.

Here are some tips for successfully selling products in your print-on-demand store:

  • Find Your Niche

Focus on a specific niche market to attract dedicated customers who are more likely to make repeat purchases.

  • Create a Brand Identity

From a memorable logo to a consistent color scheme and backstory, developing a strong brand identity will help you stand out and attract customers.

  • Find a Sales Channel

Open a free Pop-Up Store to sell products through a custom link or integrate with popular eCommerce platforms and marketplaces like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, or Walmart.

  • Pack Your Store With Products

Your online store should offer at least four different product categories and even more product variants to cater to a wide range of customer preferences.

  • Market Your Store

Promote your business using a mix of social media, email marketing, and content marketing to reach a wider audience. 

Do Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to increase your listings’ visibility.

Check out this video from one of our top sellers Cassiy Johnson, on how to use Canva to create your print-on-demand merch.

Create and sell printables and digital products

Unleash your creative freedom through Canva’s vast library of fonts, graphics, and templates to make visually appealing digital designs and printables for customers to purchase and download instantly.

Sell digital art on eCommerce channels like Shopify, Etsy, or your own website.

Here are some tips for selling digital products:

  • Offer Various Printables

Design digital planners, calendars, to-do lists, or printable wall art that your customers can print and use for their schedules, tasks, or home decor.

  • Provide Customizable Digital Downloads

Design editable planners, invitations, greeting cards, or worksheets to meet different customer needs and preferences.

  • Offer Customization Options

Let customers request printable customization, like adding personalized text or adjusting fonts and colors.

  • Sell Thematic Bundles

Combine related printables into themed bundles, offering customers the value and convenience of receiving a whole set of products with a single purchase.

  • Create Subscriptions

Design a set of downloadable digital products for a monthly newsletter to establish a recurring revenue stream.

Printify Expert tip

Always gather feedback on your designs before they go live. Fresh eyes provide new views and reveal errors you may have overlooked.

Laviet Joaquin, Marketing Head at TP-Link

Sell Canva templates

Canva Creators signup page where one can join as either selling templates, elements, or educational resources.

Designing and selling Canva templates is one of the most popular ways to make money on this platform.

Sell templates on various sales channels or join the Canva Contributor program by becoming a Canva Creator to earn royalties each time your Free and Pro templates get used in Canva’s template library.

Keep in mind that you can’t sell pre-made templates – you’ll need to either customize existing ones or create your own.

Additionally, if you include any elements from Canva Pro, you’ll only be able to sell them through a shareable template link that directs customers back to Canva, generating new sign-ups.

Tips to start making money selling Canva templates:

  • Follow Design Trends

Keep up with the latest trends and popular design choices to ensure your Canva template business offers relevant and appealing products.

  • Offer Template Variety

To meet customer demand, sell Canva templates in different styles and themes for various purposes, such as social media posts, presentations, resumes, and invitations.

  • Target Specific Audiences

Create Canva templates for specific niche markets and industries to cater to their unique needs and preferences, whether it’s wedding planners or game designers.

  • Promote Your Canva Templates

Use social media, blogs, email newsletters, and other marketing channels to showcase your Canva template shop and attract potential customers.

  • Collaborate With Canva Creators

Join the Canva Creator program to collaborate with other creators. Working together can help you learn new skills, contribute elements, gain inspiration, and sell Canva templates through shared audiences.

Printify Expert tip

We encourage all designers working with Canva to use templates for inspiration but heavily customize them with our brand elements, high-quality photos, and unique layouts.

Gary Gray, Co-Founder at CouponChief

Create social media graphics

A man making social media graphics.

From designing editable social media templates to eye-catching Instagram and Pinterest graphics, Canva offers many ways to make social media content and translate it into making money online.

Use Canva’s features and editing tools to make social media banners, profile photos, GIFs, and videos for your business or customers.

Pro tip

Check out our advice on how to use social media to grow your business.

Make money with Canva by selling any of the following products:

  • Custom Social Media Graphics

Create templates and social media images, including platform-specific visuals like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest graphics.

  • Animated Social Media Assets

Make animated graphics and videos with clear messaging for different social media platforms.

  • Interactive Content

Create engaging content that incorporates interactive elements like polls and quizzes.

  • Social Media Bundles

Compile sets of graphics, videos, and other digital assets for cohesive and consistent branding across social media.

  • Social Media Ad Designs

Craft visually stunning ads for social media platforms to capture attention and boost audience engagement.

Offer social media management services

A social media manager working on a Facebook page.

In addition to graphic design services, Canva offers all the tools necessary to streamline digital marketing.

It’s easy to schedule, publish, and track the performance of videos, stories, and posts published across various social media accounts.

This gives you an excellent opportunity to sell your Canva skills to businesses and social media influencers.

Start making money on Canva by providing these services:

  • Social Media Management

Provide social media management services for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms. 

  • Custom Brand Kits

Offer tailored branding kits with logos, color schemes, fonts, and other visual elements to help businesses establish a strong and consistent brand identity.

  • Campaign Materials

Design materials for specific marketing campaigns like product launches, seasonal promotions, and other sales events.

  • Email Marketing Templates

Develop customizable Canva templates for businesses to use in their email marketing campaigns.

  • Event Promotions

Create promotional materials for events, like posters, flyers, and invitations, to help businesses attract attendees and generate buzz around their events.

Printify Expert tip

Canva lets you upload your own fonts, and I’ve found that this feature is a game-changer. It keeps everything professional and cohesive, which is essential for building trust with our audience.

Laia Quintana, Head of Marketing and Sales at TeamUp

Design logos

Two graphic designers picking colors for a logo design.

A logo is one of the most important visual elements for any business. It represents the company’s identity and values in a single symbol, and many startups and small businesses will pay for professional logo design services.

Design iconic high-quality logo templates using Canva’s free Logo Maker and editor.

Pro tip

Go through our business logo ideas for inspiration.

Key strategies to make money with Canva logo designs:

  • Offer Logo Packages

Include several different versions of the same logo, like horizontal, vertical, simplified, black-and-white, and in multiple colors.

  • Provide Customization Options

Let customers request specific colors, fonts, and unique design elements that reflect their brand identity.

  • Include Revision Services

Provide a set number of logo revisions to ensure customer satisfaction.

  • Create Branded Bundles.

Design logos for business cards, letterheads, and social media graphics.

  • Make a Portfolio

Compile a portfolio showcasing your best logo designs and branding projects to showcase your skills and attract new customers.

Create Canva tutorials

Education Creator's sign-up page on Canva.

If you’re an expert at using Canva, there is money in sharing your knowledge with others through online tutorials. These can be videos, infographics, blog posts, or live webinars.

If you’re a teacher or a member of school staff looking to create a Canva course – apply to become a Canva Education Creator to earn from creating educational resources.

Here are a few ideas online course creators can cover:

  • Step-by-Step Guides

Walk other Canva users through common design tasks, from creating social media graphics to designing presentations.

  • Industry-Specific Tutorials

Create guides for using Canva to design industry-specific graphics, marketing materials, or presentations.

  • Canva for Nonprofits

Make tutorials demonstrating how Canva can be used to design impactful fundraising campaigns, event invitations, and awareness materials.

  • Canva Creator Tips

Share your Canva Contributor advice on the design process with other newcomers and graphic designers who want to master Canva.

  • Join the Canva Affiliate Program

Earn commissions on Canva Pro conversions and get other perks by becoming an Empower Canvassador.

Printify Expert tip

In my early days, our designs often felt cluttered and overwhelming. By incorporating more negative space, I found that our key messages stood out more clearly. Canva’s alignment tools are great for this.

Laia Quintana, Head of Marketing and Sales at TeamUp

Sell printable educational resources

A woman working on creating printable educational resources.

Monetize your teacher, tutor, or educational content creator expertise by selling printable resources online.

Canva’s Library is full of valuable templates and design tools for creating engaging and effective educational materials.

Pro tip

For additional insights and expert advice, check out our guide on selling printables on Etsy.

Make money with Canva by creating printable resources in these categories:

  • Curriculum Supplements

Offer printable worksheets, activity books, and study guides in math, science, language, arts, social studies, and other subjects.

  • Teaching Aids and Visuals

Design printable posters, flashcards, charts, and diagrams that teachers and students can use.

  • Learning Games and Activities

Design printable games, puzzles, and interactive activities to make learning fun and engaging.

  • Assessment and Evaluation Tools

Develop quizzes, tests, and assessment tools to help teachers understand how students learn and guide their teaching.

  • Classroom Decor and Organization

Create Canva templates for classroom labels, bulletin board displays, and calendars to ensure an inviting and functional learning environment.

Create infographics

A woman learning how to make money on Canva by selling printables and digital products.

Capitalize on the popularity of informative content by creating and selling highly shareable infographics.

Use Canva’s design tools to make custom infographic templates or go with premade options to present complex information in an easily digestible and engaging way.

Here are a few ideas on how to make money with Canva infographics:

  • Sell Infographic Templates

Create Canva template designs in different styles and color schemes for informational, comparison, and timeline infographics.

  • Design Social Media Infographics

Produce eye-catching infographics to drive engagement and adjust them for mobile, widescreen, and tablet devices.

  • Make How-To Guides

Create step-by-step infographics that provide practical instructions or tutorials on various topics, making complex processes easier to understand and follow.

  • Offer Custom Infographic Services

Design tailored infographics for businesses and individuals to meet their specific needs and branding guidelines.

  • Sell Infographic Bundles

Provide sets of infographics on related topics or themes, making it easy for buyers to get comprehensive visual content.

Build websites

Canva's website builder page showcasing its customizable templates.

Creating websites with Canva is easy and a great way to generate income. 

Use Canva’s free Website Builder, which offers customizable templates and drag-and-drop tools, to design visually stunning pages for any online business.

Make money with Canva by selling any of the following products:

  • Portfolio Sites

Design portfolio websites for artists, photographers, or designers to showcase their work.

  • Business Websites

Use Canva’s tools to design online stores, business profiles, and service pages.

  • Landing Pages

Develop high-converting landing pages to drive traffic and generate leads for marketing campaigns.

  • Blogs and Personal Websites

Offer to set up custom websites for individuals looking to share their stories, expertise, or hobbies.

  • Custom Web Pages

Provide color schemes, typography, and graphics for web page customization.

Sell eBooks

From sharing your personal opinion to crafting compelling fiction, these digital products offer Canva users an excellent opportunity to enter the creative market and establish a steady income stream.

Use Canva’s free eBook Maker to design captivating covers and create eBooks with reflowable or fixed layouts.

Here are a few ideas on how to make money with Canva eBook designs:

  • Sell eBook Covers

Create professional and eye-catching eBook covers for self-published authors and offer your designs on platforms like Etsy, Fiverr, or your own website.

  • Publish Novels

Write and design your own eBooks with engaging covers and professional layouts to sell on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing or Apple Books.

  • Enter Collaborations

Work with other writers and experts to co-author eBooks, expanding your reach and introducing your work to new audiences.

  • Sell Workbooks and Journals

Design interactive workbooks, journals, and planners for self-improvement, education, and business niches.

  • Create eBook Design Courses

Use your Canva expertise to create high-quality eBooks and sell online courses or workshops on eBook design.

Create videos and thumbnails

A woman editing videos on her computer.

The demand for high-quality video content and attention-grabbing TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube thumbnails can lead you to financial freedom.

Use Canva’s template features and the free Video Editor to design professional, click-worthy content for online creators. 

Here’s how to make money with Canva with video content and thumbnails:

  • Offer Video Editing Services

Use Canva’s editing features to crop, trim, speed up, resize, and remove background noise from videos, ensuring a top-quality final product for your customers.

  • Sell Video Thumbnails

Create engaging YouTube thumbnails that accurately represent the content of associated videos and drive clicks.

  • Create Promotional Videos

Offer to design engaging videos for businesses, services, new products, and sales events to amplify your customers’ marketing strategies.

  • Offer Social Media Videos

Create videos that meet platform-specific aspect ratio and duration requirements to maximize engagement.

  • Sell Brand Bundles

Prepare sets of short-form and full-length videos with matching thumbnails based on customer requirements.

Pro tip

Learn how to sell art online and browse our ideas on making money as an artist for expert advice and inspiration.

Why use Canva with Printify?

Your Canva designs can be printed on a wide range of custom products, including apparel, accessories, and home decor.

Just like opening a Canva account, creating and selling custom products online with Printify is totally free!

Zero upfront costs

Start creating graphics, customizing products, and selling them online without spending a cent on subscriptions or stock management.

No minimum order

Order exactly what you need, whether it’s a single item or a bulk order, without worrying about minimum order requirements.

Multiple sales channels

Use our integrations to list your products on popular eCommerce sales channels like Shopify, Etsy, or TikTok, or open a free Pop-Up Store to sell your products via a unique link.

Large product Catalog

Browse our Product Catalog of over 900 custom products to find the best match for your design and customers’ needs.

Global suppliers

We’ve partnered with trusted Print Providers worldwide to ensure high-quality production and fast shipping, no matter where your customers are.

Summary

Now that you know how to use Canva to make money with Print on Demand and all the programs, tools, and features this popular platform offers, it’s time to unleash your creativity and turn your ideas into profit.

Join the creative market and start earning passive income by partnering with Printify!

Make it happen today!

Be your own boss 
with Printify

Open your business today: Create and sell beautiful custom-products within minutes. Printify prints, and delivers 1000+ products at the lowest prices around. No risk, all reward.

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