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Starting a side hustle doesn’t have to mean investing loads of time or money upfront.
These days, all you really need is creativity, a good idea, and the right tool—and that’s where Canva steps in.
Whether you’re looking to make extra income or turn your hobbies into something profitable, Canva is like your ultimate side hustle sidekick.
With its beginner-friendly interface and thousands of templates, Canva makes it ridiculously easy to design everything from planners and Instagram graphics to full-on branding packages.
And the best part? You don’t need to be a graphic designer or even super tech-savvy to get started.
In this post, I’ll walk you through 25 creative side hustles you can start with Canva. These ideas are not only budget-friendly but also perfect for anyone ready to dip their toes into entrepreneurship without feeling overwhelmed.
Whether you’re looking to sell digital products, offer services, or create something totally unique, there’s something here for everyone.
Ready to see what’s possible? Let’s jump in!
Why Canva is a Game-Changer for Side Hustlers
If you’ve ever thought about starting a side hustle but felt held back by the thought of learning complicated tools or needing expensive software, Canva is here to change the game. This user-friendly design platform has quickly become the go-to resource for entrepreneurs and side hustlers alike.
Here’s why:
- Beginner-Friendly Interface
Canva is designed for non-designers. Whether you’re creating your first logo or whipping up a professional-looking presentation, its drag-and-drop interface makes it super easy to bring your ideas to life. - Free and Pro Versions
While Canva’s free version is powerful on its own, the Pro version unlocks premium templates, graphics, and tools that can take your designs to the next level—all at a fraction of the cost of traditional design software. - No Design Skills Required
You don’t need to know a thing about graphic design to create something beautiful. Canva takes care of the hard stuff, so you can focus on being creative. - Integrations and Download Options
Canva makes it easy to export your work in various formats (PDFs, PNGs, MP4s) or integrate with tools like social media schedulers, websites, and e-commerce platforms. You can create, share, and sell directly with minimal fuss.
Whether you’re starting with no budget, little time, or zero experience, Canva removes barriers and lets you focus on turning your ideas into income.
It’s no wonder so many side hustlers rely on it as their secret weapon.
Now, let’s look at the 25 creative ways you can use Canva to kick off your side hustle journey!
25 Creative Side Hustle Ideas Using Canva
If you’re ready to turn your creativity into cash, Canva has endless possibilities for starting a side hustle.
Here’s a breakdown of 25 ideas, categorised to help you find the perfect fit for your skills and interests.
Digital Products
Digital products are low-cost to create and offer unlimited earning potential since they can be sold repeatedly.
- Planners and Journals
Design and sell printable planners, bullet journals, or goal-setting sheets on platforms like Etsy. - Digital Stickers
Create trendy digital stickers for note-taking apps like GoodNotes and sell them as instant downloads. - Social Media Templates
Offer pre-made Canva templates for Instagram posts, carousels, or stories to help small business owners save time. - Resume/CV Templates
Sell modern, professional resume templates for job seekers to stand out in competitive markets. - Custom Invitations
Design beautiful wedding, baby shower, or birthday invitations and sell them as editable templates.
Marketing Services
If you have a knack for design, you can help small businesses level up their branding and marketing.
- Social Media Graphics
Create branded graphics for businesses to use on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. - Presentation Design
Offer slide deck design services for coaches, consultants, and professionals giving workshops or pitches. - Lead Magnet Creation
Design eBooks, workbooks, or checklists that businesses can offer as freebies to grow their email lists. - Pinterest Pin Design
Create eye-catching pins to help bloggers and businesses drive traffic to their websites. - Instagram Carousel Templates
Sell custom carousel templates that entrepreneurs can use to share valuable content and boost engagement.
Personalised Products
Tap into the personalised gift market by offering customised designs.
- T-Shirts and Mugs
Use Canva to design graphics for print-on-demand products like T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags. - Name Art or Monogram Designs
Create personalised name art or monogram designs for gifts or home decor. - Custom Calendars
Design photo calendars featuring pets, family pictures, or unique artwork. - Event Keepsakes
Make personalised photo collages or memory books for special events like weddings or graduations. - Custom Gift Tags and Labels
Design printable gift tags, wine labels, or product packaging for events and small businesses.
Event and Branding Services
Help clients make their events and businesses unforgettable with creative branding.
- Logo Design
Offer simple, clean logo designs for startups and solopreneurs. - Event Branding Packages
Design invitations, signage, menus, and thank-you cards for weddings or corporate events. - Branding Kits
Create a cohesive branding package with logos, colour palettes, and templates for small businesses. - Menu Design
Design menus for restaurants, food trucks, or pop-up shops. - Custom Wedding Stationery
Offer bespoke wedding stationery, including save-the-dates, invites, and seating charts.
Teaching and Coaching
Turn your Canva expertise into a teaching side hustle.
- Canva Tutorials
Create and sell step-by-step tutorials for beginners who want to learn Canva basics or advanced techniques. - Design Coaching Sessions
Offer one-on-one coaching for aspiring entrepreneurs who need help creating branded content. - Workshop Slides
Design polished, professional slides for coaches and workshop facilitators. - YouTube Channel or Blog
Share Canva tips and tutorials to grow an audience and monetise through ads or affiliate marketing. - Template Subscription Business
Launch a subscription service offering monthly Canva templates for businesses to use in their marketing.
With Canva’s endless possibilities, there’s a side hustle idea here for everyone—whether you want to sell products, offer services, or teach others.
Pick one that excites you and start building your Canva-powered business today!
How to Get Started with Your Canva Side Hustle
So, you’ve found a side hustle idea (or a few) that sparks your interest—now what? Here’s a simple roadmap to help you get started quickly and confidently.
1. Set Up Your Canva Account
- Start with Canva’s free version to get a feel for the platform.
- Consider upgrading to Canva Pro for access to premium features like resizing, background remover, and exclusive templates.
2. Choose Your Niche and Hustle Type
- Focus on a specific niche to stand out, such as wedding stationery, digital planners, or social media templates.
- Decide if you’ll sell products, offer services, or teach Canva skills.
3. Create Your Designs
- Test different formats to ensure your designs look professional on various platforms (digital and print).
4. Package Your Offerings
- For digital products: Create bundles or sets to increase perceived value (e.g., a planner set with matching stickers).
- For services: Create clear packages and include examples of your work.
- For tutorials: Break content into bite-sized lessons and use Canva for professional-looking slides and graphics.
5. Set Up Your Selling Platform
- Digital Products: Use platforms like Etsy, Payhip, or Gumroad to sell downloads.
- Services: Promote through a portfolio website or platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
- Teaching: Start a YouTube channel, sell courses on platforms like Teachable, or host webinars.
6. Promote Your Side Hustle
- Share your designs on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to attract customers.
- Use Canva to create eye-catching posts, pins, and stories that showcase your products or services.
- Build an email list by offering a freebie (like a mini template set) to potential customers.
7. Set Your Pricing
- Research what others in your niche are charging.
- Start with affordable pricing to build a customer base and raise rates as your experience grows.
- Don’t forget to factor in your time and Canva Pro costs if applicable.
8. Stay Consistent and Learn
- Consistency is key—set aside time each week to create, promote, and refine your offerings.
- Invest in your skills by exploring Canva tutorials or keeping up with design trends.
Quick Start Tip:
Choose one idea to focus on, create a few designs, and get them live as soon as possible. It’s better to start imperfectly than not at all. You can always improve and expand your side hustle as you go!
Ready to take the plunge? Grab your Canva account, pick your favourite idea, and get started today. Your next stream of income could be just a few clicks away.
Conclusion
Starting a side hustle with Canva is one of the simplest and most creative ways to turn your skills into extra income.
Whether you’re designing digital products, offering services, or teaching others how to use Canva, the possibilities are endless.
With its easy-to-use tools and professional templates, you don’t need to be a designer to create something amazing.
The best part? You can start today. Pick one of the 25 ideas that caught your eye, open Canva, and let your creativity flow.
Remember, the key to success is starting small, staying consistent, and always looking for ways to add value to your customers.
If you’re ready to take the next step, why not start with one simple action? Open Canva now and try creating your first design—it might just be the beginning of your next big success story.
Which idea are you going to try first?
