Are you a Canva user? Do you use it to sell templates? Are you a content creator? Then you definitely need to know about this.

In recent events, there was some confusion in Canva's Facebook group when the admin posted some information that made Canva users panic. Since then, Canva has updated its terms in more detail to clarify any confusion, which makes it easier to understand their copyrights and licenses.

What is allowed on Canva?

When making a design on Canva for sale, make sure you don't use a single element or two. Make sure there are at least three or more elements with some text at least. This applies to both the free and pro elements.

Making stickers:

If you're making and selling stickers for Etsy or any other marketplace, you cannot dump a bunch of single graphics on a page and sell it as a template. That will be considered a group of standalone graphics. Why? Because you haven't done any designing, so they are not unique. Using filters or changing the color of a single graphic still counts as a standalone design.

What should I do?

Make a sticker using multiple elements to make it look unique. This will ensure that you do some actual designing instead of stealing graphics. This may require using more than three graphics and maybe some text grouped together to make a single sticker.

Selling Canva templates

The biggest mistake people make is using existing Canva templates, changing a few things, and selling them on Etsy. The templates are the property of Canva. When making any digital product for sale, from planners to stickers, posters, and invitations, all designs should start from scratch on a blank page. This way, the design becomes your own. because you took the time to create a original design. Only then will you be allowed to sell it as a template. When selling a Canva template, you have to include a link to that template. That way, they will have access to edit it.

Editing photos on Canva:

Do not use standalone photos from Canva, meaning a single image, even if you change the hue or use filters. It is not allowed. However, using your own photos and uploading them onto Canva to edit them is allowed because you own the rights to them.

Using Canva to sell your ebook

You are allowed to use Canva templates to make and sell your eBook as long as you fill it with your content. You cannot sell the ebook templates as they are. For example, if your eBook is about Bitcoin, you need to provide information about Bitcoin, not sell it as a blank ebook template. 

Using Canva graphics outside Canva:

You are not allowed to use graphics from Canva and edit them in Photoshop or Illustrator.

Example of what not to do:

I open up Canva and look for birthday cakes and balloon graphics. Then I export them as transparent PNG files. I import the graphics I downloaded from Canva into Photoshop so I can make a birthday card design. This is not allowed.

Copyright and licensing:

When you create your unique designs on Canva, you have a license to use that design. However, if any print-on-demand service asks you if you are the copyright owner of the design, you won't be able to use it. Why? Because all the graphics are provided by Canva, and they own the rights to their images and graphics.