Is It Legal to Sell Canva Templates? A Complete Guide to Making Money with Canva
Canva has rapidly become one of the go-to design tools for individuals without extensive graphic design skills. With its user-friendly interface and an extensive library of templates, anyone can create stunning visuals. But did you know you can also turn Canva into a money-making venture by selling your own templates?
If you're creative and looking for a way to make passive income, designing and selling Canva templates could be a profitable opportunity. In this article, we'll explore:
- What exactly a Canva template is
- The legality of selling Canva templates and what to avoid
- Who typically buys custom Canva templates
- The kinds of Canva templates you can sell and the process to get started
Let’s dive into it!
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What Is a Canva Template?
A Canva template is a pre-designed layout that can be customized with your own text, images, and colors to create professional-looking graphics. These templates are available for a wide variety of uses, such as:
- Social media posts
- Presentations
- Flyers
- Business cards
- Resumes
Canva users can search through the extensive template library, find a design that suits their project, and easily personalize it. Additionally, users can buy templates made by other designers from third-party platforms like Etsy.
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Is It Legal to Sell Canva Templates?
Short answer: Yes! It’s perfectly legal to sell Canva templates that you have created yourself. However, there are a few important rules to keep in mind:
1. Design Must Be Original
You cannot simply take an existing Canva template and sell
it as your own. If you use an existing design as inspiration, you must make
significant modifications. The template you sell should reflect your unique
design work.
2. Avoid Copyright Issues
Be cautious when using elements, images, or fonts in your
template that are not your own. If you incorporate third-party content,
especially copyrighted materials, it can lead to legal issues.
3. Be Mindful of Canva Pro Content
If you’re using Canva Pro elements in your designs, you need to be aware of Canva’s restrictions. Canva allows the use of Pro elements in templates, but you must share the templates as links—not as downloaded files like PDFs or images. Always review Canva’s Content License Agreement for more details.
By following these guidelines, you can sell your templates without worrying about legal complications.
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Who Buys Custom Canva Templates?
While businesses are the primary buyers of custom Canva templates, there are several other potential customers:
1. Content Creators
Content creators often face the issue of using generic, free Canva templates that many others are also using. Buying custom templates ensures their posts stand out and look unique. Template bundles are especially appealing as they provide a consistent aesthetic for social media, websites, and more.
2. Business Owners
Small business owners sometimes struggle to find templates that fit their specific needs—like data tables or personalized designs with logos. Custom templates can fill these gaps, offering a professional appearance without the hours spent searching for the right design.
3. Educators
Teachers and lecturers can benefit from custom templates that improve readability and aesthetic presentation. Educational templates are particularly useful for standardizing content across multiple instructors or guest lecturers.
4. Authors
Authors, especially those publishing eBooks, need templates that meet specific design parameters while allowing for unique, creative touches. A custom template can ensure consistency in book series and marketing materials, enhancing the overall brand.
5. Restaurants
Surprisingly, restaurants can also benefit from custom templates. A one-time investment in a well-designed template for menus or signage allows them to update their materials easily without needing to hire a designer every time a menu item changes.
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What Canva Templates Can You Sell?
Here’s a list of Canva templates you can create and sell:
1. Elements
Instead of full templates, you can sell individual design elements. These can be bundled together for customers who need multiple cohesive pieces for various projects.
2. Social Media Graphics
This is one of the most popular categories for Canva templates. Selling social media template bundles allows businesses and influencers to maintain a consistent look across platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
3. Thumbnails
Thumbnails are essential for websites, product listings, and videos. Creating customizable thumbnail templates allows your customers to keep their branding consistent.
4. Infographics
Designing infographic templates can be challenging, but they’re in high demand. Businesses need clean, professional infographics that are easy to customize, and they’re often willing to pay a premium for these.
5. Banners
Social media banners and website headers need to maintain a brand’s consistency across different platforms. Selling banner templates in various aspect ratios can be a lucrative option, especially when bundled with matching social media graphics.
6. Presentations
Custom presentation templates are great for businesses and educators alike. The simplicity and utility of these templates make them popular among users who want professional-looking slides without overcomplicating the design process.
7. Media Kits
Media kits include essential branding materials like letterheads, business cards, and more. Selling media kit bundles allows you to charge higher prices for designs that share a cohesive aesthetic.
8. eBooks
eBook templates are another hot commodity. You can design templates that cover everything from the eBook cover to chapter headings and body text formatting. Workbooks and journals are also excellent niches to tap into.
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How to Sell Canva Templates and Make Money
Now that you know what types of templates to create, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start selling them:
1. Create a Canva Account
You can start designing without a Canva Pro account, but upgrading to Pro gives you access to more elements, templates, and fonts, making it easier to create professional designs.
2. Design Your Templates
Use Canva itself to create your templates. This ensures your customers can easily edit them within the platform. If you’re using Pro elements, remember to share templates as links rather than exporting them as files.
3. Prepare Deliverables
Once you’ve designed your templates, bundle them together. A popular way to do this is by creating a PDF file containing clickable links to each template, which you’ll deliver to customers when they make a purchase.
4. Create Mockups for Promotion
Before you sell your templates, you need to showcase them with high-quality mockups. Use Canva’s mockup tools to create realistic examples of how your templates can be used.
5. Set Your Prices
Pricing can be tricky. Research the market and competitor pricing to set a fair rate. Consider offering bundle deals to increase value for your customers.
6. List Your Templates for Sale
Platforms like Etsy and Redbubble are popular for selling Canva templates. You can also consider selling on your own website if you want more control over the process.
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In Summary
Selling Canva templates can be an excellent way to earn passive income. Whether you're designing for content creators, business owners, or educators, custom templates fill a gap in the market for high-quality, professional designs.
By focusing on creating unique, industry-specific templates, you can differentiate yourself and build a successful business. And don’t forget to join our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for more design tips and tricks to elevate your creative journey!
FAQs - Is It Legal to Sell Canva Templates
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1. Is it legal to sell Canva templates?
Yes, it is legal to sell Canva templates, but only if you create the design yourself. You can't take a pre-made Canva template and sell it as your own. Make sure your design is original, and you aren’t violating any copyright rules, especially when using Canva Pro elements.
2. Can I sell templates that include Canva Pro elements?
Yes, you can, but you must share the template as a Canva link, not as a downloadable file like a PDF or image. Canva has specific rules regarding Pro elements, so always check their Content License Agreement to stay compliant.
3. Who typically buys Canva templates?
Various professionals buy Canva templates, including content creators, business owners, educators, authors, and even restaurant owners. Each of these groups looks for custom designs that suit their specific needs, making your templates valuable if they solve real design problems.
4. What types of Canva templates can I sell?
You can sell a wide range of templates, such as social media graphics, presentation slides, eBook layouts, media kits, and even individual design elements. Infographics, banners, and customizable thumbnails are also in high demand, especially for businesses and content creators.
5. Where can I sell my Canva templates?
Popular platforms like Etsy and Redbubble are great places to sell your Canva templates. You can also set up your own website if you want more control over the sales process. Mockups and a strong product listing are key to attracting buyers.
6. How much can I charge for Canva templates?
Pricing depends on the complexity and niche of your templates. You should research competitors and see what they charge. Offering bundles, such as a set of social media templates or media kits, can increase the perceived value and allow you to charge more.
7. How do I avoid copyright issues when designing templates?
To avoid copyright issues, only use images, fonts, and elements that you own or are available through Canva's free or Pro library under their license. Don’t use copyrighted materials unless you have the proper permissions.
8. What should I include in a Canva template bundle?
A typical Canva template bundle could include matching designs for various social media platforms, such as Instagram posts and Facebook banners. You can also add mockups, instructions, and clickable links to the templates to make it easy for buyers to use them.
9. How do I promote my Canva templates?
Creating high-quality mockups that showcase your templates in real-world use is essential for promotion. You can use Canva's own tools for this. Additionally, use platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Etsy to market your templates to a broader audience.
10. Do I need a Canva Pro account to sell templates?
No, you don’t need a Canva Pro account to start selling templates, but having one gives you access to more elements, fonts, and design features. This can help you create more professional, eye-catching templates that stand out in the market.
