How to Earn Money Selling Canva Templates on Etsy (A Beginner’s Guide)
Imagine creating a product once and selling it over and over again while you sleep. Indeed, that’s the power of digital products, and one of the best ways to start is by combining the design magic of Canva with the massive marketplace of Etsy. This guide will show you exactly how.
Why Sell Canva Templates on Etsy?
Every day, millions of small business owners, content creators, students, and event planners go to Etsy looking for professional-looking designs without the hassle or cost of hiring a graphic designer. For instance, they need templates for everything from social media posts to wedding invitations. Consequently, by creating easy-to-use Canva templates, you can provide a valuable solution and build a passive income stream.
What to Sell: 10 Profitable Template Ideas
The key to success is finding a profitable niche. With that in mind, here are some of the most popular categories to inspire you:
- Instagram Post & Story Templates
- Digital Planners & Journals
- Wedding & Event Invitations
- Business Card Templates
- E-books & Worksheet Templates
- Restaurant Menus
- Resume (CV) Templates
- Real Estate Marketing Flyers
- Pinterest Pin Templates
- YouTube Branding Kits
The 4-Step Guide to Selling Your Templates
To get started, follow this process to go from idea to a live product on Etsy.
Research Your Niche on Etsy
Before you design anything, go to Etsy and search for the template you want to create (e.g., “minimalist wedding invitation”). From there, analyze the top-selling products. For example, what style is popular? Furthermore, what’s included in their packages, and how are they priced? Your goal is to identify a gap in the market or a way you can offer something better or different.
Design a High-Quality Template in Canva
Without a doubt, this is the most important step. Your template must be both beautiful and easy to use. Therefore, always keep your customer in mind:
- Prioritize Free Elements: To ensure customers without a Canva Pro account can use your template without issues, it’s crucial to stick to Canva’s free library of fonts, photos, and graphics.
- Ensure Full Editability: Additionally, make sure all text, colors, and photos can be easily changed by the user.
- Offer a Cohesive Set: Finally, if you’re selling Instagram templates, create a pack of 10-20 designs that look good together. Similarly, an invitation package could include an RSVP and details card.
Make Your Templates Stand Out
To give your templates a unique edge, consider purchasing premium assets. Using custom fonts, illustrations, or icons from a marketplace like Creative Market can make your designs look more professional and justify a higher price point.
Create Your Delivery PDF
Interestingly, you can’t upload a Canva design directly to Etsy. Instead, you must deliver a PDF file that contains the special link to your template. Here’s exactly how to do it:
- First, in Canva, click Share in the top-right corner of your finished design.
- Then, under “Link Sharing,” select Template link. This step is crucial because it ensures each customer gets their own copy to edit.
- After that, click Copy link.
- Next, create a new, simple design in Canva (a standard A4 or US Letter document is fine). In this document, add a thank you message, instructions, and a clickable link or button with the text “Click Here to Access Your Template.”
- Now, paste your copied template link into the text/button.
- Finally, download this new document as a PDF Standard. This is the file you will give to your customers.
List Your Product on Etsy
Now it’s time to set up your shop. Specifically, you will create a new listing on Etsy and pay close attention to the following:
- Create Stunning Mockups: Remember, your product photos are everything. You should create beautiful mockups in Canva that showcase your template in action.
- Write a Great Title & Description: In your listing, use keywords your customers are searching for (e.g., “Editable Instagram Post Template for Coaches”) and clearly state that it’s a Canva template.
- Set a Fair Price: It’s also wise to research your competitors to find a competitive price point. Generally, digital products sell for between $5 and $20.
- Upload Your PDF: Lastly, in the “Digital files” section of the Etsy listing, upload the PDF you created in the previous step.
The Path to Success
Ultimately, building a successful Etsy shop takes time, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get sales overnight. Instead, you should continue to add new products, listen to customer feedback, and refine your designs. With this kind of consistency, you can build a rewarding business that generates income around the clock. Happy designing!