Templates

Design templates are one of the most profitable digital products for creative professionals. From website themes and social media templates to resume designs and presentation decks, businesses and individuals constantly need professionally designed starting points. Selling templates can generate substantial passive income — top sellers on platforms like ThemeForest and Creative Market report earning six figures annually.

The template market spans several lucrative niches: WordPress and Shopify themes, Canva and Figma templates, social media kits, email newsletter designs, resume and CV templates, and print-ready layouts for everything from business cards to wedding invitations. Each niche has dedicated buyer audiences actively searching for quality designs.

What sets successful template sellers apart is solving specific problems. According to discussions in design communities, buyers don't just want "a website template" — they want "a portfolio template for photographers with gallery layouts and booking integration." The more targeted your template, the higher your conversion rate and the price you can charge.

Platforms vary significantly in their commission structures. ThemeForest takes a larger cut but provides enormous traffic. Creative Market offers better margins and a design-focused buyer base. Newer options like Canva's creator programme let you tap into their 170+ million user base. Choosing the right platform depends on your template type and target audience.

Explore the template marketplaces below to find the best fit for your design products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of design templates sell best?
Consistently top sellers include: Canva social media templates, WordPress and Shopify themes, resume and CV templates, presentation decks, wedding invitation suites, Instagram story and post templates, email newsletter designs, and Notion templates. Templates that solve a specific business need tend to outsell generic designs.
How much can you earn selling design templates?
Earnings vary by platform and template type. WordPress themes on ThemeForest can earn $10-$50+ per sale with top themes generating $50,000-$500,000+ lifetime. Canva templates typically sell for $5-$30 per pack. Creative Market sellers report $500-$10,000+ monthly once established. Building a catalogue of 20-50 templates creates compounding passive income.
Do I need coding skills to sell website templates?
For website themes (WordPress, Shopify), yes — HTML, CSS, and often PHP or Liquid knowledge is required. However, many profitable template niches require zero coding: Canva templates, social media kits, presentation decks, and print templates can all be created with design tools like Figma, Canva Pro, or Adobe InDesign.
How do I price my design templates?
Research comparable templates on your target platform. Budget templates typically sell for $5-$15, mid-range for $15-$49, and premium for $49-$199+. Bundles of multiple templates often outsell individual items. Consider offering a free template to build reviews and attract buyers to your paid catalogue.
Can I sell templates on multiple platforms simultaneously?
Usually yes — most platforms allow non-exclusive listings. However, read the terms carefully. Some platforms like ThemeForest offer higher commission rates for exclusivity. A common strategy is to sell exclusively on one high-traffic platform and offer different template lines on others.