Earning Money by Designing Digital Templates for Etsy and Canva

The growing demand for aesthetic, practical digital products has turned platforms like Etsy and Canva into profitable marketplaces for creative individuals. Digital templates—such as CVs, menus, and calendars—allow designers to monetise their creativity by offering reusable, downloadable solutions for customers around the globe.

Why Digital Templates Have Become a Lucrative Side Hustle

Digital templates require only a one-time effort to create and can be sold repeatedly without the need for inventory or shipping. This scalable business model attracts freelancers, designers, and entrepreneurs seeking passive income streams. As of February 2025, the market for personal and business templates on Etsy and Canva continues to grow, fuelled by remote work trends and the gig economy.

On Etsy, digital products consistently rank among the top-selling categories. Templates for resumes, planners, business cards, and wedding materials are particularly popular. With millions of active buyers, even niche designs can generate significant income with proper SEO and branding.

Canva, initially a free design tool, has evolved into a platform where premium templates offer significant opportunities. By joining Canva Creators, designers can earn royalties based on the usage of their assets, making it a long-term earning method for those who understand user needs and design trends.

Who Can Start Selling and What Skills Are Needed?

You don’t need to be a professional graphic designer to start earning from digital templates. Basic knowledge of layout, typography, and user-friendly design is sufficient to begin. Canva’s intuitive interface allows beginners to create attractive, professional-looking designs without specialised software.

However, attention to detail, consistency, and branding are critical. Successful sellers often tailor templates for specific audiences: job seekers, small business owners, teachers, and event planners. This niche targeting increases visibility and conversion rates.

Understanding keyword optimisation for Etsy and following Canva’s contributor guidelines also improves discoverability. Investing in learning trends and design best practices pays off through better engagement and more downloads.

Top-Selling Template Types and Their Market Trends in 2025

Resume templates remain a consistent bestseller, especially those tailored to specific industries like tech, marketing, or creative roles. Clean, ATS-friendly formats with subtle colours and clear sections are most in demand. Bundles that include cover letters and LinkedIn profile templates provide additional value.

Restaurant and café menu templates are gaining popularity, especially for small business owners seeking affordable branding solutions. Digital menus optimised for QR code scanning are trending due to the increasing number of contactless dining options worldwide.

Printable calendars and planners are also booming, particularly those that combine planning with wellness or productivity, such as goal trackers or habit charts. Seasonal designs (e.g. academic planners or holiday countdowns) see spikes in sales at predictable times of the year.

Pricing Strategies and Maximising Profit

Most templates on Etsy range from £3 to £20, depending on complexity, customisation options, and design quality. Offering tiered pricing—basic vs. premium—gives buyers flexibility and boosts your average order value.

Canva pays royalties based on views and downloads. The more appealing and accessible your template, the higher the chances it will be used. Simple, editable files with responsive layout options perform best.

Offering bundles, cross-promoting on social media, and running seasonal promotions are key strategies for growing your revenue. Tools like Etsy Ads or Canva’s featured spots can enhance visibility among thousands of competing listings.

How to Get Started and Scale Your Template Business

Begin by identifying a niche where you can offer value. Research existing sellers on Etsy and Canva to find market gaps. Use keyword tools like eRank or EtsyHunt to identify trending search terms and optimise your listing titles and descriptions.

Develop a consistent brand identity across your products, including mockups, shop banner, and profile visuals. This builds trust and encourages repeat purchases. Free tools like Canva or Figma can be used to design without investing in expensive software.

To scale your business, maintain a content calendar, release new designs regularly, and listen to customer feedback. Many top sellers on Etsy update or expand their offerings monthly to reflect current trends and buyer demands.

Legal and Technical Considerations

Ensure that your designs are 100% original or properly licensed. Using copyrighted fonts, images, or icons without permission can lead to account suspension or legal issues. Always verify licensing when using third-party resources.

For Etsy, always state clearly what the customer is purchasing. Is it a PDF, a Canva link, or both? Include instructions for downloading and customising the product to prevent disputes and bad reviews.

Protect your files by disabling editing or flattening layers when necessary. Additionally, watermarking preview images can deter unauthorised reuse while still showcasing your design quality.