Are you looking for a creative side hustle that doesn’t require a design degree or expensive software?
What if we told you that a free tool you’ve probably already heard of—Canva—could help you earn real income online?
Welcome to the world of digital entrepreneurship, where your creativity can turn into cash.
Why Digital Products Are Booming Right Now
If you’ve been interested in side hustles and making money online, I’m sure you’ve heard of digital products. Like most people I was always stuck with the “what”….what type of digital product do I create?
We live in a digital-first world. Whether it’s planners, templates, or social media graphics, people are buying downloadable products more than ever. Why? Because they’re instant, affordable, and easy to use.
For creators, this means:
- No inventory to manage
- No shipping hassles
- Unlimited scalability
All you need is a great design and a platform to sell it—and that’s where Canva shines.
Canva: The Perfect Tool for Non-Designers (and Designers Alike)
Canva is a drag-and-drop graphic design tool that’s intuitive enough for beginners, but robust enough to create professional-quality digital products.
With thousands of templates and free assets at your fingertips, you can create:
- Customizable planners
- Business branding kits
- Instagram carousels
- eBooks and lead magnets
- Websites
- Pinterest templates and posts
- Instagram stories
Bonus: You don’t even need a paid Canva Pro account to start making money.
Top Digital Products You Can Design & Sell Using Canva
Here are some of the most popular—and profitable—products you can create with Canva:
1. Printables
Think daily planners, goal trackers, fitness logs, budgeting sheets—products that people use to organize their lives.
List them on Etsy or Shopify and watch passive income roll in.
I’ve also created and listed digital products in Stan Store (which was then linked to my Instagram account). This was truly an easy way to create another form of additional income.
2. eBooks
Have expertise to share? Canva makes it easy to design beautifully formatted eBooks with custom covers and consistent branding.
I know, I know it can be a struggle to figure out what exactly do I have expertise in? Honestly this could be anything from how to use a certain program, study guides, how-to’s, you name it and you can create an eBook about anything.
3. Social Media Templates
Small businesses, influencers, and coaches are always looking for branded, cohesive Instagram posts, Pinterest pins, and Facebook graphics. This is where trendy templates come in.
4. Digital Planners or Journals
With digital planning on the rise, PDF planners designed in Canva are in hot demand. I know I am always on the look out for trendy designs and cute prints that I can’t seem to find in the store.
Where to Sell Your Canva Creations
Creating is just the first step. Here’s where to sell your work:
- Etsy: Perfect for printables and templates. It has a huge customer base looking for ready-to-use digital products.
- Gumroad or Payhip: Great for digital downloads with easy checkout.
- Your Own Website: More control and 100% of your profits.
- Stan Store: Truly the best way to get started for beginners, it’s easy to learn, great for digital products, consultants or any personal based brand.
Pro Tip: Combine your shop with Pinterest or Instagram marketing to drive traffic for free.
What You Need to Know About Licensing and Canva’s Terms
Canva gives you access to a huge library of fonts, elements, and photos. But there are rules.
✅ You can sell products made using free elements.
🚫 You can’t resell Canva templates as-is or offer editable versions unless you created them from scratch. Always double-check Canva’s licensing terms and use only what’s permitted for commercial use.
How to Scale Your Side Hustle with Canva
Once you’ve created a few products and seen some success, it’s time to level up:
- Automate your business: Set up digital delivery, email automation, and pre-scheduled marketing.
- Build bundles: Combine similar products to increase perceived value and raise your prices.
- Niche down: Focus on a specific audience (like teachers, wedding planners, or coaches) for better results.
The key? Treat this like a business from day one. I know I’ve made this mistake countless times. I’ve gone into side hustles thinking it would just be a fun pastime. If you truly want to build a side hustle or side gig that generates income, you need to start treating it like the business it is from Day 1. Go in with the intention of making money and success will follow.
Ready to Turn Your Creativity into Cash?
Canva is more than just a design tool—it’s a business opportunity waiting to be explored. Whether you want a new stream of passive income or a full-time online business, your journey can start today—with just your laptop and a free Canva account.
🔥 Action Step: Open Canva, pick a template, and create your first digital product today. You’re just one design away from your first sale.
