How To Sell Canva Templates As Digital Products (Even Without a Design Background)
You’ve made something beautiful in Canva — but will anyone buy it?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered:
Whether it’s a checklist, workbook, slide deck, or planner, many creators design digital products in Canva for their own business or client work… but don’t know how to actually sell Canva templates online or turn them into real income.
That’s because creating a Canva template that sells isn’t just about aesthetics.
It’s about usability, niche fit, and making sure your product solves a real problem for someone else.
This post walks you through how to create and sell digital products using Canva — with real examples and pro tips which separate Canva templates that gather digital dust from the ones that sell on repeat.
Start With A Template Built From Your Expertise
One of the biggest mistakes new digital product sellers make?
Starting from scratch with a random idea.
Instead, the fastest way for how to make digital products on Canva that actually sell is to start with what’s already proven.
Look at what you’ve already made as part of your service work, your content, or your internal processes.
For example:
I created a Brand Kit Canva Template based on my logo design process.
3 page brand kit Canva template
I'd already made multiple brand kits for clients, so I knew exactly what needed to go into one. And I knew exactly how to make it simple for someone else to use. This template has been selling in the background of my business for the past 4 years.
I knew it was valuable since clients always told me how they refer to it whenever they design something or when they outsource design to an agency or virtual assistant.
That’s the difference.
So ask yourself:
What do I repeat with clients?
What Canva files do I already use that get great feedback?
Could someone in your niche benefit from using your shortcut?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you’re already halfway to a sellable Canva product.
Tailor It For A Specific Type Of Buyer
The reality? Canva’s library is packed full of templates. So how can your template stand out?
Well, it can’t be generic. It has to immediately jump out to your ideal client as a solution to a very specific problem.
Here’s an example:
I designed a webinar slide deck template to help course creators and coaches sell their course/program. I include slide layouts that feature key talking points, bonus offers and module breakdowns because I know they will cover that during a sales webinar.
Slide layouts matched common talking points during a sales webinar promoting a program during a launch
Because it solved a clear use case, people who fit this target audience know right away it’s for them. Niche templates also imply that the creator has already included all the essential elements needed for the template - and all the user has to do is fill it out.
💡 Think about what your audience needs and how you can fully customize your template to solve those needs.
Here are other examples of generic vs specific template ideas:
| Generic Template | Specific Use Case Template |
|---|---|
| Social Media Planner | 30-Day Instagram Content Planner for Wellness Coaches |
| Workbook Layouts | Strategy Call Workbook for Business Coaches |
| Client Welcome Packet | Client Onboarding Packet for Freelance Brand Designers |
So ask yourself:
Who is this template for?
What specific goal will it help them accomplish?
How can you infuse your expertise into the template?
Design It to Feel Good To Use
Have you ever bought a piece of furniture that had horrible assembly instructions?
Those hours wasted struggling to put it together drains the initial excitement from when you bought it. It’s a poor user experience (UX).
Digital products like templates can suffer from poor UX, too. If it’s not immediately obvious how the template should be filled out, your buyer could be frustrated…and decide not to use your template at all. And worse, not want to buy anything else from you.
So don’t just focus on making the template look good. It should feel good to use, too.
Here’s what to include to make using your template an enjoyable experience:
Inline instructions so the buyer knows how to use it. You can also record a quick video demoing how to fill it out, which is very helpful for more visual learners.
Text and image placeholders so the buyer can plug in their own content quickly.
Free design elements only (images, fonts, graphics) so that any buyer can use it, regardless if they have the free or pro version of Canva.
Canva indicates whether an element is Free or Pro on the thumbnail
A positive experience with your brand and product increases your chances of getting repeat business.
Package It Like a Product, Not Just a File
Even a great Canva template won’t sell if the buyer doesn’t know:
What it is and how it looks when filled out
What’s included in the purchase
How to use it
Your product listing is like your storefront. To sell Canva templates online, make it easy to skim and enticing to explore.
Here’s what to include:
Preview Images. Display 2-3 preview images or digital product mockups that show the template in use.
Bullet points outlining what’s included in the file.
Clear instructions or access notes so your buyer knows exactly how to get started.
Correct Canva permissions: Set to “use as template” not “edit” so customers don’t accidentally overwrite your original design.
Example showing how the template looks when customized
Make it obvious, make it clear, and make it feel like a real product, not just a file in the cloud.
That’s what earns trust (and sales).
Common Questions About Selling Canva Templates
You’ve made the template! Now what?
Let’s answer a few quick FAQs to help you take the next step.
Where should I sell my template?
If you’ve got your own website, I recommend starting there and integrating a shopping cart option, because you’ll have more control over your branding and pay less fees when making a sale.
(I use Squarespace and my plan includes fully integrated ecommerce and 0% store transaction fees. Check what’s available with your website plan.)
You can choose a beginner-friendly marketplace platform like:
How much should I charge?
Many Canva templates sell between $9–$47, depending on how niche, customizable, or value-packed they are.
This is not a hard and fast rule, more as a reference. Test different price points with your audience.
And if you’re feeling unsure, start with a number you feel comfortable charging, then increase it as your audience and product demand grows.
Do I need a big audience to make sales?
No, but you do need to make your product visible.
Start by linking your template in:
Your blog posts (like this one)
Pinterest pins
Any content where your audience is already learning from you
What tech do I need to deliver the product?
Use Canva to create a PDF that contains the Canva template share link. That link is what the customer will click on access your template.
An online shopping cart that automatically delivers the PDF once payment is received. The cart is either from your website’s ecommerce platform or through one of the marketplace platforms I mentioned above.
Final Thoughts on Selling Canva Templates
I hope this guide has inspired you to revisit what you’ve created and how much potential is already there for a template you can sell.
Remember, it’s not about designing the prettiest template.
It’s about solving a real problem, for a specific person, in a way that feels easy to use.
And once you’ve created that kind of template?
You’ve got more than a design.
You’ve got a product that can scale your business.
Want help creating your own digital products?
Check out my Digital Empire Membership where I share templates, strategy, and coaching to help you scale your income without burning out - for only $10/month!
If you like this post, you might also like my Getting Started with Digital Products guide.
Share if you found this helpful!
