Is it legal to make something on Canva and sell it?

Canva is one of the most popular online tools for creating graphics, documents, and marketing materials. From social media content and invitations to eBooks and T-shirt designs, the platform provides a wide array of templates and design elements. The question many users ask is: Is it legal to make something on Canva and sell it? The short answer is yes, but there are important terms, conditions, and limitations you must understand before turning your Canva creations into a source of income.

Understanding Canva’s Licensing Structure

Canva operates under a tiered licensing system which distinguishes between Free, Pro, and Enterprise users. Each tier comes with different rights to use and sell designs.

• Free License: Grants you the right to use free elements and templates in your projects, including some commercial purposes.
• Pro License: Gives you access to premium images, videos, and components with broader commercial usage rights.
• Enterprise License: Offers the most expansive rights and is typically catered to large businesses with custom usage needs.

It’s essential to review the specific licensing rights under Canva’s Content License Agreement to ensure compliance with the correct license tier.

What You Can Legally Sell

Canva allows users to create and sell a variety of products, provided that they follow the platform’s guidelines and licensing terms. You can legally create and sell:

• Custom social media templates
• Printable planners and worksheets
• Invitations and greeting cards
• Merchandise like mugs or T-shirts using text and simple graphics
• eBooks and lead magnets

Important: The key condition is that your design must be an original creation that significantly transforms Canva’s elements or templates. Simply downloading a template and reselling it “as-is” is a violation of Canva’s Terms of Use.

Commercial Use and Restrictions

While Canva permits commercial use of its content, not all elements are created equal. Here’s what to consider:

1. Templates: Canva’s templates are meant to be used as starting points. You’re expected to customize them before selling any derived product.
2. Images and Graphics: Premium items (e.g., pro photos, graphics) often carry usage limitations including restricted print or resale rights.
3. Fonts and Icons: Usage of certain fonts or icons may be subject to third-party licenses. Always verify that these elements are licensed for commercial use.

As a best practice, avoid using Canva designs in a way that misleads buyers into believing they own the design elements themselves or have the right to resell them further.

Prohibited Actions Under Canva’s Policy

Canva’s terms clearly outline some commercial activities that are not allowed:

• Reselling Canva templates without significant modification
• Using Canva-generated logos as official trademarks or registering them
• Redistributing source files of Canva assets (e.g., offering layered PSD-like files with Canva elements)
• Selling unaltered stock content from Canva as standalone items

Violating these rules could result in Canva revoking your account or facing legal consequences depending on the severity of the infringement.

Practical Tips for Selling Canva-Made Products

To stay compliant and avoid copyright issues, follow these best practices:

• Always modify templates to include your unique design elements
• Use royalty-free or original images wherever possible
• Keep records of which elements are from Canva and ensure they are allowed under your license
• Steer clear of mimicking other designers’ styles or copyrighted works

Furthermore, if you’re selling digital products on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or your own Shopify store, it may be wise to add a disclaimer that Canva assets were used, and that the purchase does not grant ownership of those elements.

Conclusion

Yes, it is legal to create and sell products made on Canva — as long as you respect the platform’s licensing requirements and don’t pass off unaltered templates or elements as original creations. Whether you’re making passive income with digital downloads or growing your brand with custom merchandise, understanding Canva’s policies will ensure your creative business is both sustainable and compliant.

For the most secure approach, carefully read Canva’s Content License Agreement and reach out to Canva’s support or legal team if you’re unsure about specific use cases.