INSANE: 17 SALES From 625 BUYER Clicks
Discover how to turn Canva into a cash machine! Learn step-by-step strategies to sell templates, freelance, build passive income, and land high-paying clients—no design degree required.
Let’s cut through the noise: You don’t need a graphic design degree or expensive software to earn 100–500/day with Canva. In fact, the freelancers and entrepreneurs crushing it in 2023 are using this $12.99/month tool to:
Sell digital products (like templates and eBooks) on autopilot
Land freelance clients for social media, branding, and more
Build affiliate income promoting Canva Pro
Launch a print-on-demand store without inventory
I’ve helped many creators monetize Canva, and in this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to replicate their success. Ready to turn pixels into profit? Let’s go.
Canva isn’t just a design tool—it’s a $40 billion platform used by 125 million people worldwide. Here’s why it’s perfect for making money:
Zero learning curve: Drag-and-drop simplicity beats Adobe Photoshop for speed.
Built-in templates: 610,000+ customizable designs for social media, logos, resumes, and more.
Commercial license: Sell anything you create (with a Pro subscription).
Global demand: Small businesses, influencers, and corporations need Canva-designed content.
Real-World Example: Sarah Thompson, a teacher-turned-freelancer, earns $8k/month designing Pinterest pins and LinkedIn banners for clients. Her secret? Canva + 2 hours of work daily.
Why It Works: Busy entrepreneurs and creators crave done-for-you designs.
Step 1: Choose a Profitable Niche
Trending 2025 Niches:
TikTok Templates: Video captions, transitions, and thumbnail packs.
Notion Planners: Aesthetic dashboards for productivity (see Notion’s Template Gallery).
Etsy Shop Graphics: Listing banners, thank-you cards, and coupon designs.
Pro Tip: Use Canva’s "Trends" tool to spot viral styles (e.g., retro gradients, Y2K fonts).
Step 2: Create Templates That Sell
Use Canva’s Brand Kit: Ensure cohesive colors/fonts (critical for client branding).
Add “Editable” Layers: Highlight customizable text/colors in product listings.
Bundle Templates: Sell “Instagram Story Packs” (10 designs for $29) instead of single templates.
Where to Sell:
Etsy: 4.7 million buyers search “Canva templates” monthly.
Creative Market: High-paying clients (average template sells for 15–50).
Gumroad: Keep 100% profits (no listing fees).
Case Study: Designer Jake Martinez made $22,000 in 6 months selling Canva resume templates on Etsy.
Top Services to Offer:
Social Media Management: Design + schedule posts (use Later for scheduling).
Ebook & Course Design: Turn blogs into polished PDFs (hot niche for coaches).
Logo & Branding Kits: Pair Canva logos with style guides (fonts/colors).
How to Land Clients
Cold Pitching Template:
“Hi [Name], I help [industry] businesses boost engagement with scroll-stopping Canva designs. I noticed your [Instagram/website] could use a refresh—here are 3 free mockups I created for you. Let’s chat!”
Attach a Canva-designed sample (e.g., Instagram carousel).
Platforms to Find Work:
Upwork: Charge 25–75/hour for Canva projects.
Fiverr: Offer “24-hour delivery” gigs for urgency.
LinkedIn: Post Canva design tips to attract B2B clients.
Canva’s affiliate program (via ShareASale) pays you for every free trial upgrade.
How to Promote:
YouTube Tutorials: “How I Design Viral Pinterest Pins in Canva (Free Masterclass).”
Blog Reviews: Compare Canva Pro vs. Adobe Express (embed your affiliate link).
Social Media Challenges: Host a “5-Day Canva Design Challenge” with a free template.
Pro Tip: Use Canva’s “Content Planner” to batch-create 30 days of affiliate promo posts.
How It Works: Design t-shirts, mugs, or posters on Canva, then sell via:
Printful: Integrates directly with Canva (no design uploads needed).
Redbubble: Upload once, sell globally.
2025’s Best-Sellers:
Pet Influencer Merch: “Dog Mom” hoodies with custom illustrations.
Motivational Quotes: Gen Z-friendly typography (e.g., “Cancel Meetings, Not Plans”).
Design Hack: Use Canva’s “Background Remover” to turn photos into transparent PNGs for merch.
Example: Create a course on “Canva for Realtors” (teach agents to design open house flyers).
Tools to Use:
Teachable: Host courses (embed Canva video tutorials).
Google Docs: Write eBooks, then design covers in Canva.
Upsell Strategy: Offer a “Canva Template Vault” as a $97 upsell.
Method 6: Offer Local Business Design Packages (Scalable & In-Demand)
Why It Works: Local businesses (restaurants, salons, gyms) desperately need professional menus, flyers, and social media graphics but lack design skills.
Step 1: Identify High-Value Services
Top 2025 Offerings:
Restaurant Menus: Use Canva’s “Menu Maker” for sleek, editable templates.
Real Estate Flyers: Highlight property listings with Canva’s real estate templates.
Event Posters: Design for weddings, parties, or community events.
Pro Tip: Use Canva’s "Magic Resize" tool to instantly adapt designs for print, social media, and email.
Step 2: Pitch Local Clients
Script for Cold Calls/Emails:
“Hi [Business Name], I’m [Your Name], a local designer helping businesses like yours attract 3x more customers with eye-catching menus/flyers. I’d love to create 2 FREE sample designs to show you what’s possible. When’s a good time to connect?”
Where to Find Clients?
Google Maps: Search “restaurants near me” and pitch redesigns.
Facebook Local Groups: Join “Small Business Owners in [City]” groups.
Nextdoor App: Post before/after Canva design examples.
Case Study: Designer Maria Lopez earns $2,500/month redesigning menus for 15 local restaurants.
Why It Works: 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. Creators need thumbnails that stand out.
Step 1: Master YouTube Design Trends
2025s Winning Formula:
Bold Text + Faces: Use Canva’s “YouTube Thumbnail” templates.
High-Contrast Colors: Red, yellow, and neon gradients grab attention.
Mystery & Curiosity: Add arrows, circles, or “FREE” stickers.
Pro Tip: Study top creators like MrBeast or Emma Chamberlain and reverse-engineer their thumbnail styles.
Step 2: Sell on Fiverr or YouTube Communities
Fiverr Gig Title: “I’ll Design a Viral YouTube Thumbnail in Canva - 24hr Delivery”
Price: 15–50 per thumbnail (upsell bundles of 5 for $200).
Tools to Streamline Work:
Canva Teams: Share drafts with clients for feedback.
Placeit: Embed thumbnails into realistic phone/desktop mockups.
Example: Freelancer Tom Harris makes $1k/week selling thumbnails to tech YouTubers.
Why It Works: Subscriptions = predictable monthly income. Clients love fresh, exclusive designs.
Step 1: Pick a Niche with Recurring Needs
Hot Niches for 2025:
Wedding Planners: Monthly save-the-dates, seating charts, and invitation suites.
Social Media Managers: Monthly content calendars, story templates.
Teachers: Weekly classroom newsletters, lesson plan templates.
Pro Tip: Use Canva’s “Brand Kit” to offer custom color/font matching for VIP subscribers.
Step 2: Host on Membership Platforms
Patreon: Charge 10–30/month for access to a “Canva Template Vault.”
Ko-fi: Offer tiered subscriptions (e.g., Silver: 5 templates/month, Gold: 10 + tutorials).
Case Study: The “Canva Queen” membership site earns $8k/month with 500+ subscribers.
Why It Works: Marketing agencies outsource design work to meet client demands.
Step 1: Partner with Agencies
Services to Offer:
Social Media Packages: 30 posts/month for agencies’ clients.
Email Newsletter Design: Custom Canva templates for Mailchimp or Klaviyo.
Pro Tip: Use Canva’s “Team” feature to collaborate directly with agencies.
Step 2: Price for Profit
Package Example:
Basic: $500/month for 20 designs (social + email).
Premium: $1,200/month for 50 designs + 2 revisions.
Where to Find Agencies?
Upwork: Search for “social media agency needing designers.”
Belay Solutions: Apply to their freelance network for long-term contracts.
Example: Freelancer David Park white-labels Canva services to 3 agencies, earning $6k/month.
Why It Works: Combine Canva’s design power with AI tools like ChatGPT for next-level content.
Step 1: Create Hybrid Products
Examples:
Blog Graphics + SEO Meta Descriptions: Use ChatGPT to write SEO text, then design featured images in Canva.
Social Media Kits: AI-generated captions + Canva-designed posts.
Pro Tip: Sell these as “Done-For-You Content Packs” on platforms like Creative Market.
Step 2: Promote as a Premium Service
Pricing: 97–297 for bundles (position as time-savers for busy entrepreneurs).
Tools:
Jasper AI: Generate marketing copy faster.
Copy.ai: Create hashtags and captions for Canva posts.
Case Study: Entrepreneur Lisa Nguyen sells $5k/month of AI-Canva bundles targeting coaches.
Ignoring Licensing Rules: Always use Canva Pro for commercial projects (free version has limits).
Underpricing: Charge $50+/hour for freelance work (you’re saving clients 10+ hours/month).
Skipping SEO: Optimize Etsy listings with keywords like “Editable Canva Template for Coaches.”
Kittl: For advanced design elements (pair with Canva for logos).
Tailwind: Schedule Pinterest pins designed in Canva.
Placeit: Mockups to showcase templates (e.g., phone cases, billboards).
Canva isn’t just a tool—it’s a $100k/year business opportunity for those willing to think creatively. Start with one method (like selling templates), scale with affiliate marketing, and watch your income soar.
Your Next Step: Open Canva, create your first template, and list it on Etsy today.