How To Earn Money Using Canva: 15 Side Gigs
How to earn money using Canva: To cover the cost of this website and the time I spend writing these posts, sometimes I link to affiliate products. If you choose to purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you), we appreciate your support. It enables me to continue doing this.
Want to earn cash with Canva? With over 170 million users worldwide, this intuitive platform has become a powerhouse for digital design, empowering anyone to create stunning graphics and more. The best part? You can turn this skill into a real income.
But here’s the exciting part: you don’t have to be a professional designer to turn your creativity into income.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a student, or someone looking for a side hustle, learning how to make money with Canva opens the door to real, scalable ways to make money online from your laptop or tablet.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through 15 proven strategies to monetize your Canva skills, complete with tips, tools, and real-life success stories.
Why Canva Is Perfect for Making Money Online
- No design experience required – templates make it easy to get started.
- Free version available – you can begin without spending a dime.
- Highly visual content sells – social media, digital products, and printables are in high demand.
- Passive income potential – once created, digital products sell repeatedly with zero extra effort.
- Global marketplace access – platforms like Etsy, Shopify, Fiverr, and Amazon let you reach customers worldwide.
Now, let’s dive into the 15 best ways: how to earn money using canva.
1. Design and Sell Printables
Printables are one of the easiest ways to earn cash with Canva. These digital files are downloaded and printed by customers, and they’re a top-selling category on Etsy.
Popular printable ideas:
- Daily planners & weekly trackers
- Budgeting spreadsheets
- Coloring pages (for adults and kids)
- Wall art & motivational quotes
- Wedding planning checklists
How to do it?
- Use Canva to design your printable.
- Export as PDF (high-quality).
- Upload to Etsy, Shopify, or Gumroad.
- Set a price ($5–$15 is common).
- Let automation handle delivery after purchase.
2. Start a Print-on-Demand (POD) Business
Another powerful method to make money with Canva is print-on-demand. Use your designs on products like T-shirts and mugs that are only printed when sold, meaning no inventory or shipping hassle for you.
Top POD items:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Phone cases
- Tote bags
How to start?
- Create a design in Canva.
- Connect your Canva account to a POD provider like Printful.
- Upload your design to their product catalog.
- List your item on Etsy or Shopify.
When someone orders? The printer handles everything.
Earnings: You earn $5–$20 per sale.
Bonus: Add a personal touch with custom slogans or inside jokes to stand out.
3. Create and Sell Low-Content Books
Low-content books are perfect for passive income because they require minimal text but offer tons of value, allowing you to earn cash with Canva on autopilot.
Best-selling low-content book types:
- Gratitude journals
- Doodle notebooks
- Puzzle books (word searches, mazes)
- Activity books for kids
How to create?
- Open Canva → Search “Journal Template”.
- Customize with borders, headers, and decorative elements.
- Export as PDF.
- Sell on Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) or Etsy.
Tip: Offer themed versions (e.g., “Nature Lover’s Journal”) to boost visibility.
4. Sell Canva Templates for Passive Income
Templates are in high demand, especially for entrepreneurs who want professional-looking content fast. Selling them is a fantastic way to make money with Canva repeatedly.
Popular template types:
- Instagram story templates
- Facebook post templates
- Pinterest pin designs
- Resume templates
Where to sell?
- Etsy – huge audience searching for ready-made designs
- Fiverr – offer custom template packages
- Your own Shopify store
Example: One creator earns $3k/month selling Canva templates for coaches.
5. Offer Social Media Design Services
Businesses need consistent, eye-catching visuals, but many don’t have time or design skills. Offering your services is a direct way to earn cash with Canva.
Use Canva to deliver high-quality graphics for:
- Instagram posts & stories
- Facebook ads
- YouTube thumbnails
- LinkedIn carousels
How to charge?
- Charge hourly ($25–$50/hour)
- Offer packages (e.g., “10 Posts + 5 Stories = $150”)
Real-Life Example: Kristin earns $4k/month designing Pinterest graphics for bloggers.
6. Design Logos for Small Businesses
Every startup needs a logo. And Canva’s Logo Maker tool makes it easy to create professional logos and earn cash with Canva quickly.
What to offer:
- Logo design
- Brand kit creation (colors, fonts, icons)
- Business card design
Where to find clients?
- Fiverr – search “logo design” and apply
- Upwork – bid on projects
Price Range: $50–$300 per logo.
7. Create & Sell Digital Products
Digital products are arguably the best way to generate passive income and make money with Canva: create once, sell forever.
Using Canva, you can create:
- E-books (with Canva-designed covers and interiors)
- Stock photo packs
- Social media kits
- Notion templates
Platforms to sell:
- Etsy – ideal for creative digital downloads
- Gumroad – simple setup, great for creators
- Your own website – full control + higher profit margins
Hot Trend: “Notion Templates for Productivity” now sells for $20–$50 each.
8. Design E-Book Covers for Authors
The self-publishing boom means authors need click-worthy e-book covers. This is a specialized and profitable way to earn cash with Canva.
What to offer?
- Custom e-book cover designs
- Premium templates for indie authors
Sell On:
- The Book Cover Designer – pay-per-sale model
- Fiverr / Upwork – direct client work
Pricing: $25–$100 per cover.
9. Become a Pinterest Virtual Assistant (VA)
Pinterest drives consistent traffic to blogs and online stores. As a Pinterest VA, you can make money with Canva by designing pins and managing accounts for clients.
As a Pinterest Virtual Assistant (VA), you can:
- Design 10+ pins per week
- Optimize pin descriptions with keywords
- Manage multiple client accounts
Hourly Rate: $25–$35/hour (beginner), up to $60+/hour with experience.
Fast Track: Join a free workshop to learn the exact steps.
10. Design Custom Invitations
From weddings to birthdays, people love personalized, printable invitations. This is a creative and fun niche on How to Earn Money Using Canva.
Popular invitation types:
- Birthday party invites
- Wedding save-the-date cards
- Baby gender reveal announcements
How to sell?
- Create templates in Canva.
- Offer both printable PDFs and digital-only versions.
- List on Etsy or Creative Market.
11. Launch a Canva Course for Beginners
If you’re passionate about teaching, create a course on How to Earn Money Using Canva through recurring income.
Course ideas:
- “Canva for Beginners: Design Like a Pro in 30 Days”
- “Make Money with Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide”
Best Platforms:
- Thinkific – full control, best for building your brand
- Udemy – massive audience
Fun Fact: Some creators earn over $ 5,000 per month by selling Canva courses.
12. Design Websites Using Canva’s Website Builder
Yes, you can build full websites using Canva’s new Website Builder feature. This opens another avenue to make money with Canva by offering web design services.
It’s perfect for:
- Bloggers
- Freelancers
- Local service providers
How to monetize?
- Build a few sample websites.
- Share them in Facebook groups or on 99designs.
- Offer freelance website design services.
13. Become a Canva Affiliate (Empower Canvassador)
You can earn cash with Canva by promoting it! Join the Empower Canvasser program to earn commissions for referring new Canva Pro users.
How does it work?
- Sign up at canva.com/affiliates
- Share your unique affiliate link
- Earn a commission for every Canva Pro sign-up
14. Share Canva Tutorials on YouTube
YouTube is a powerful platform to build authority and make money with Canva through ads, sponsorships, and selling your own products.
Great video ideas:
- “How to Make a YouTube Thumbnail in Canva”
- “5 Canva Tips Every Blogger Needs”
- “Edit Videos in Canva (No Editing Skills Needed)”
Real Result: One creator made $1,200/month from YouTube ads after 6 months.
15. Final Thoughts: How To Earn Money Using Canva
You don’t need fancy equipment or a degree to earn cash with Canva. You just need to start.
All you need is:
- Creativity
- Consistency
- A willingness to learn and share
Pick one method from this list and start today. Over time, you can combine multiple streams to build a scalable online income.
Remember: Your creativity is valuable. And with Canva, you have the power to turn it into profit without ever leaving your home.
Which of these ideas are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments, and if this guide was helpful, please share it with a friend!