If you want to sell invitations, particularly editable templates on Etsy, you can absolutely do it using Canva! But here’s the truth: you MUST do it the legal way and follow Canva and Etsy’s rules and policies. There’s a ton of misinformation out there, and it’s time that we officially set the record straight.

For context, I’m not sponsored by Canva (cough cough Canva, if you’re reading this, we should talk 👀). But thanks to Canva’s tools, I’ve been able to do over $700,000 in online sales between print on demand and digital products on Etsy and my own websites. Canva is amazing because it is beginner friendly, wildly accessible, and free to start with. Customers love it because they don’t need to download fancy software. They can just use a link and a free Canva account, and they’re in. That’s why invitation templates are such a hot market!

But, and it’s a big BUT, if you don’t follow the rules, you risk refunds, angry customers, having your Etsy shop suspended, or even facing legal action. So let’s break down the non-negotiables.

Before we dive in let me introduce myself!

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Hey there! I’m Shay Lynn

I am a the proud owner of a multi six figure Digital Products and Print on Demand Business and creator of the Print on Demand Playbook. In my first year on Etsy, I did $250,000 in sales running my very own Print on Demand and Etsy business. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE what I do and want to help others achieve financial freedom and find success with their own online business ventures!

Now that we have our pleasantries out of the way, lets get into the meat and potatoes of this thing!

Rule 1: No Copy-Paste Templates

Let me say this loud and clear for the people in the back: you cannot take a pre-made Canva template and sell it as-is. That’s the original creator’s intellectual property, not yours. Slapping a pre made Canva template onto Etsy and calling it your product and trying to monetize it is stealing (IP infringement/copyright infringement) and Canva as well as Etsy have zero tolerance for that.

Now, don’t panic! You can still look at Canva templates for inspiration. That’s how a lot of designers learn what’s trending in terms of layouts, fonts, and styles. But when it comes time to sell, your designs need to be 100% your own and done from scratch. Think of Canva’s pre made designs as the Pinterest board of ideas. It’s where you go to gather your thoughts, not use the finished product.

Rule 2: Make Sure You Have the Rights and DISCLOSE your Info.

Fonts, graphics, and illustrations are where things get a wee bit tricky. If you buy elements (fonts, graphics, etc.) from sites like Creative Market, Creative Fabrica, or even Etsy itself, double check that you have the commercial license to use them in products you plan to sell. Some licenses are personal use only, which means you could get flagged or sued if you sell items using them without the commercial license to do so.

Now with that being said, let’s talk about AI for a hot second as well. If you’re using AI tools to generate any part of your design, Etsy requires you to disclose that in your product’s listing description. THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL. It’s mandatory. Sellers have already had their shops permanently suspended for skipping this step. Protect your shop, protect your income, and always disclose if you are incorporating AI.

Rule 3: Free vs. Pro Elements

This one’s a sneaky mistake I see people make all the time. Canva has two levels: Free and Pro. If you design an invitation using Pro features or elements, then only buyers who also have a Pro account will be able to edit and access those design features. Imagine the flood of refund requests you’ll get when your customer who only has a free account can’t even use the template they just paid for. Yikes!

That’s why I strongly recommend sticking to free elements whenever possible. Free elements = maximum accessibility. Anyone with a free Canva account can use them, which means fewer complaints and more happy customers. If you do use Pro elements, make sure you clearly disclose it in your Etsy listing, description, and even mockup photos. Transparency goes a long way.

Rule 4: Don’t Even Think About Touching Trademarks

This one’s non-negotiable. No matter what you see on Etsy, you cannot sell invitations featuring trademarked names, logos, or designs. Disney characters, NFL teams, Taylor Swift lyrics. NONE OF THIS. These are all trademarked by massive corporations with teams of lawyers who literally spend all day looking to take these people down. If you use them, you’re putting yourself at serious legal risk.

I don’t care if “everyone else is doing it.” That’s not a valid excuse when you’re the one who gets the cease and desist letter or worse gets sued. Best case scenario, Etsy deactivates your listing. Bad case, you get permanently suspended. Worse case scenario, you get sued for using this!! Trust me, that’s not a road you want to go down. Instead, lean into creating original designs in niches people love think weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and seasonal parties. There are plenty of profitable directions to go that don’t involve trademarks.

✨ Final Thoughts ✨

So there you have it! Selling Canva invitations on Etsy is 100% possible, but only if you do it the right way. Canva is an amazing tool, but you’ve got to respect both Canva’s policies and Etsy’s rules if you want to build a sustainable, long-term business. Play it smart, keep it legal, and you’ll be able to grow your shop without looking over your shoulder. I hope this information helps you on your Digital Products journey!

Totally new to POD or Digital Products?

If you are totally new to Print on Demand or Digital Products and would like to know how to start your business step by step, how to create products, conduct market research, and how to list products the right way on Etsy, then check out my course The Print on Demand Playbook! It’s got 9 hours and over 40 videos of POD content to help you start your business from scratch, help you create winning POD products, Content Calendars, Font Guides, and so much more! I am even running a checkout special right now where if you sign up for The Print on Demand Playbook, you get The Digital Products Playbook for 50% off! Click the image below to take a peek!

How to Sell Canva Invitations Templates on Etsy: The Right (and Legal) Way