Selling digital templates has become one of the most profitable passive income streams for designers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Whether you create website themes, social media templates, business presentations, resume designs, or Notion templates, there is a growing demand for customizable digital products. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the digital content creation market is expected to grow from $12.2 billion in 2023 to $26.3 billion by 2028, highlighting the increasing demand for digital assets like templates.
With more businesses, influencers, and professionals looking for ready-to-use designs, selling templates can be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business. But with so many online platforms available, where should you sell your templates to maximize revenue?
In this guide, we’ll cover the top 5 marketplaces where you can sell your templates and make the most money in 2024.
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1. Etsy
Best for: Graphic design templates, social media templates, and digital planners
Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for selling digital templates, thanks to its massive user base and focus on handmade and digital products. With over 90 million active buyers, Etsy is a great place to sell templates for Instagram, Canva, wedding invitations, business planners, and more.
Why sell on Etsy?
- Huge built-in audience of buyers looking for digital products.
- Low barrier to entry—anyone can create a shop and start selling.
- Supports multiple digital file formats (PDF, PNG, PSD, AI, etc.).
Potential earnings: Successful template sellers on Etsy make anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ per month depending on niche and marketing strategies.
2. Creative Market
Best for: Premium design assets, UI kits, and web templates
Creative Market is one of the leading marketplaces for selling high-quality design assets. If you specialize in creating website themes, fonts, icons, branding kits, or UI kits, this is a great platform to consider.
Why sell on Creative Market?
- Buyers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality design templates.
- You earn 70% of each sale, with no exclusivity requirement.
- Access to a global audience of designers, developers, and business owners.
Potential earnings: Many sellers on Creative Market make $1,000 to $50,000+ per month, especially those who build strong product catalogs.
3. Envato Elements & ThemeForest
Best for: Website themes, PowerPoint templates, and digital design assets
Envato offers two major platforms where you can sell templates: Envato Elements (subscription-based) and ThemeForest (one-time sales for digital products). Both platforms are ideal for selling PowerPoint templates, WordPress themes, UI kits, and stock graphics.
Why sell on Envato?
- Massive customer base (over 10 million users worldwide).
- If you create high-quality website themes or business templates, you can generate consistent sales.
- Access to Envato Elements, where you can earn from a revenue-sharing model.
Potential earnings: Many template designers make $5,000 to $100,000+ annually by selling digital assets on Envato.
4. Gumroad
Best for: Selling directly to customers without marketplace restrictions
If you want full control over pricing, branding, and customer interactions, Gumroad is an excellent option. Unlike Etsy or Creative Market, Gumroad lets you sell directly to your audience without marketplace restrictions.
Why sell on Gumroad?
- No listing fees—only pay a small commission per sale.
- Sell without needing approval, making it great for independent creators.
- Perfect for selling Notion templates, Photoshop presets, and custom design templates.
Potential earnings: Income varies widely, but top sellers make $10,000+ per month by building a dedicated audience through email marketing and social media.
5. Canva Creator Program
Best for: Selling Canva templates to a massive user base
Canva is one of the most widely used design tools, and its Canva Creator Program allows designers to sell premium templates directly to 135+ million active users. If you create Canva-friendly designs, this platform can be highly profitable.
Why sell on Canva?
- Massive user base looking for ready-made templates.
- Canva actively promotes premium content, helping sellers gain visibility.
- Great for selling social media templates, presentation decks, and branding kits.
Potential earnings: Sellers can make $500 to $5,000+ per month, depending on their catalog size and Canva’s revenue-sharing model.
How to Maximize Your Template Sales
Selling templates on these marketplaces is only half the battle—you also need smart strategies to maximize sales and revenue. Here are some quick tips:
✅ Niche Down
Instead of trying to sell every type of template, focus on a profitable niche like social media templates, resume templates, or business presentation templates.
✅ Optimize Listings for SEO
Use relevant keywords, high-quality images, and detailed descriptions to rank higher in search results on platforms like Etsy and Creative Market.
✅ Leverage Social Media & Pinterest
Many successful template sellers drive traffic by sharing their designs on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. These platforms are highly visual, making them ideal for showcasing template previews.
✅ Bundle Your Products
Offer template bundles to increase the average order value. For example, a social media template pack with 50+ designs can sell for a higher price than individual templates.
✅ Provide Value & Customer Support
Include easy-to-follow instructions, video tutorials, or FAQs to help customers use your templates effectively. Good customer service leads to positive reviews, boosting your sales.
Conclusion
Selling templates online can be a highly profitable business, especially if you choose the right marketplace and use smart marketing strategies. Whether you want to sell digital products passively or build a full-time business, the platforms listed above offer great opportunities to reach millions of buyers.
To summarize:
- Etsy is best for selling social media and digital planner templates.
- Creative Market is ideal for premium UI and branding kits.
- Envato Elements & ThemeForest work well for website themes and presentation templates.
- Gumroad allows full control over pricing and branding.
- Canva Creator Program lets you sell templates directly to Canva’s massive audience.
Start exploring these marketplaces today and turn your template designs into consistent, passive income! 🚀
