Canva has transformed from a simple graphic design tool into a powerful platform that enables entrepreneurs to build entire businesses. Whether you're a seasoned designer or a complete beginner, the opportunities to generate income are vast.
In this guide, we'll explore 15 actionable ways you can start making money with Canva today, ranging from video content creation to selling print-on-demand products and digital downloads.
Video Content Creation
Short-form video content is dominating social media, and Canva makes it incredibly easy to produce high-quality videos without complex editing software.
1. Generate Quiz Videos
Quiz videos are highly engaging and keep viewers watching until the end to see the answer.
- Use Canva's pre-built quiz video templates to get started quickly.
- Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to generate interesting questions and answers.
- Post these videos on platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels and link to affiliate courses or e-books in your bio (e.g., "Test your English" quizzes linking to a language course).
2. Generate Quote Videos
Inspirational and relatable quotes are evergreen content on social media.
- Create mobile-friendly quote videos using Canva's video templates.
- Find popular content from platforms like Tumblr or Reddit (e.g., movie theories or life advice) and pair them with an AI voiceover.
- Monetize through programs like the TikTok Creativity Ad Program, which pays for videos over one minute long.
Focus on videos longer than one minute if you want to monetize directly through platform ad revenue sharing programs like TikTok's.
3. Generate "This or That" Videos
Simple visual games encourage audience interaction, boosting your engagement metrics.
- Create "Choose Your Gift" or "This or That" style videos.
- Use Canva's massive library of photos and graphics to visualize the options.
- High engagement rates on these videos can help you qualify for monetization programs faster.
Physical Print-on-Demand Products
Print on Demand (POD) allows you to sell custom products without holding inventory. Canva is the perfect tool for designing these products.
4. Start a Clothing Store
T-shirts and apparel remain the most popular POD items.
- Use Canva's extensive graphics library and T-shirt templates to create unique designs.
- Upload your designs to a POD provider like Printify or Printful.
- Sell on marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, or Redbubble.
5. Create and Sell Candles
Candles are a fantastic gift item, and customized labels add a personal touch.
- Design unique, funny, or aesthetic labels using Canva's candle label templates.
- Use a POD service that offers candles (like Printify) where you only need to provide the label design.
- Target specific niches or occasions (e.g., "Smells like a promotion" for job celebrations).
6. Create and Sell Mugs
Mugs are a staple of the POD industry because they are easy to design for.
- Use Canva's mug templates to ensure your design wraps correctly.
- Integrate with Etsy or eBay via your POD provider to reach millions of potential customers.
7. Create and Sell Patterns
"All-over print" products like phone cases, leggings, and blankets require seamless patterns.
- Use Canva's "Magic Recommendation" feature to find matching graphics.
- Utilize the Grid feature to align elements perfectly for a repeatable pattern.
- Sell these designs on Redbubble or apply them to premium products on your own store.
When selling POD products, niche research is critical. Use tools like PODAutomation to find trending, low-competition keywords before you start designing.
Digital & Freelance Services
If you prefer working with clients, you can offer high-value services using Canva's professional features.
8. Create and Sell Brand Identity Kits
Move beyond simple logo design by offering complete branding packages.
- Create comprehensive brand kits including logos, color palettes, and font pairings.
- Use Canva's AI-generated color palette feature to extract colors from a client's inspiration photo.
- Charge premium rates (often starting at $100+) for these complete packages on freelance platforms.
9. Create and Sell Pitch Deck Presentations
Startups and businesses constantly need professional presentations to secure funding or clients.
- Target the business sector with high-quality pitch deck services.
- Use Canva's presentation templates and built-in data visualization tools (graphs and charts) to make complex data look beautiful.
10. Create and Sell Custom Products
Offer a personalized experience by adapting templates for individual customers.
- Design a base template (e.g., a custom pet portrait mug or a wedding welcome sign).
- List the item on Etsy or Shopify.
- When an order comes in, simply swap the customer's details into your Canva template and fulfill the order.
Digital Products & Affiliate Marketing
Passive income is the goal for many, and digital products are the best way to achieve it.
11. Create List Pins for Pinterest
Pinterest is a visual search engine that can drive massive traffic to affiliate offers.
- Design "list pins" (e.g., "10 Vertical Vegetables for Small Gardens").
- Link these pins to a blog post or landing page containing affiliate links for relevant products.
- Create a master template in Canva and quickly swap text and images to scale your content production.
12. Create How-To Pins for Pinterest
Educational content performs exceptionally well on Pinterest.
- Design clear, step-by-step "how-to" guides (e.g., "How to Create a Budget").
- Drive traffic to detailed guides that include affiliate sign-ups for tools or services.
13. Create and Sell Printable Wall Art
Sell art without the hassle of shipping physical products.
- Design posters and art prints using Canva's library.
- Sell them on Etsy as digital downloads that customers print themselves.
- Crucial: Always download as "PDF for Print" to ensure the high resolution required for quality physical prints.
14. Create and Sell Self-Care Printables
The wellness and organization niches are booming.
- Design functional printables like ADHD planners, anxiety journals, or habit trackers.
- These low-cost digital downloads can generate consistent sales volume on Etsy.
15. Create and Sell Classroom Lessons
Teachers are always looking for engaging materials for their students.
- Use Canva's education templates to create cute, engaging lesson slides and worksheets.
- Sell your resources on specialized marketplaces like Teachers Pay Teachers.
Ready to Find Your Next Bestseller?
Whether you're designing t-shirts or digital planners, success starts with finding the right niche. Start finding profitable trends today.
Explore Trends FreeConclusion
Canva has leveled the playing field, making it possible for anyone with creativity and drive to build an income stream online. Whether you choose to sell physical products, digital downloads, or services, the key is to start.
Pick one of these 15 methods that resonates with you, open up Canva, and create your first design today. The only limit is your imagination.