Launch a lucrative Print-on-Demand Side Hustle Using Canva Designs with this ultimate guide. Learn to create stunning designs, set up an online store, and market your products. Due to the fast-paced world we currently live in, side hustles have gained popularity and one of the easiest ones to start is a Print-on-demand (POD) business. With this business, you get to earn extra income with very little investment. Combining POD with the use of e-commerce platforms and design tools like Canva, you can easily create and sell custom products without even touching any of the inventory. This guide serves as a comprehensive source of information to help you create a successful side-hustle utilizing Canva and print-on-demand services.
What Exactly is Print-on-Demand Technology?

Print-on-demand technology is a type of business model where you can create your very own custom products ranging from phone cases, mugs, t-shirts, and a lot more. You can easily outsource the printing and shipping to a POD business that will print your design on the item and ship it to the customer on your behalf. With this model, you do not have to worry about dealing with shipping, inventory or even paying extra costs. Which is what makes it the perfect low-risk side hustle.
Why Should You Consider Using Canva for Your Print-On-Demand Designs?
Canva serves as an amazing graphic design tool for individuals without any prior experience. Below you will find the most important benefits of using Canva for your pod side hustle.

User Friendly Design: With the use of drag-and-drop capabilities, it is easier for individuals to design products they are happy with and it saves time.
Canva provides thousands of templates that can be altered in accordance with the design requirements of your products and the synopsis of your brand.
Looking at the wide usage that people make of Canva, it comes as no surprise that they offer a free version with a multitude of features. The Pro version is very affordable as well and gives access to a wide range of advanced tools.
Canva allows you to design for a very wide range of products including t shirts, tote bags, posters, etc. For this reason, its applications are highly versatile.
Typically, when looking to start a side hustle in print-on-demand, the first step consists of selecting a niche that you want to focus on.
A niche is a particular section of a market which one plans to delve into. Here is how you can choose the right one:
Begin with a segment you feel truly passionate about. It will make the designing much more pleasurable and enjoyable. Second, always make use of tools such as Google Trends, Pinterest, and social media to understand what’s trending and what people are buying. Finally, consider whom you are trying to target. If the audience consists of pet lovers, designs with dogs and cats would be great.
Step 2: Create Your Canva Account
If you do not have an account as of yet, create one. The free account suffices but it may be a good idea to upgrade to Canva Pro for more advanced features.
Step 3: Create Designs
Now comes the most exciting part – creating the designs! Here is how you can get started:
Select Product: Select the product you wish to design for such as t-shirts, mugs, or even phone covers.
Choose a Template: Templates for various items are given in Canva. Pick one that compliments your business and then edit it as you wish.
Personalize Your Design: Add graphics, text, and images to make the design using Canva’s tools. Let your inner creative out and ensure that the design is unique.
Save Your Design: When you are satisfied with the design, make sure you save it in either JPEG or PNG formats.
Step 4: Pick a Print-on-Demand Platform
Next, it is important to choose a POD platform that your products will be hosted on. A few common are:
Printful: Works with e-commerce platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce.
Printify: Provides many products and integrates with various e-commerce platforms.
Teespring: Specializes in clothing and has an inbuilt marketplace.
Redbubble: A space where you can monetize your illustrations by directly connecting with clients.
Once you picked a POD platform, the next step is to upload your images. Here is the process:
– Make An Account: Go to the respective chosen POD platform and register for an account.
– Pick Out A Product: Identify the category of item you wish to market (for example, T-shirt, mug).
– Upload Your Design: Attach the design you made in Canva to the selected item.
– Set Your Price: You have control of changing the suggested base price to the appropriate price and profit margin you are comfortable with.
– Publish Your Item: You may now publish your product on your store or sell it to the marketplace.
For those using Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce here is how to set up your online store:
– Select An E-Commerce Platform: Select which e-commerce site you plan on making use of. Beginners can try Etsy while for more customization, Shopify is more appropriate.
– Create Your Store: Complete the store registration according to the specifications of the platform. Add in your logo, integrate payment systems, and prepare product descriptions.
Integrate Your POD Platform: Link your POD account to your store, so that orders made via the online shop are processed automatically.
Step 7: Market Your Products
With your store fully functional, you can now promote your products. Here are some effective marketing strategies:
Social Media Advertising: Share marketing content on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest on your marketing pages.
Influencers: Use people in your specific market area to advertise your products.
Newsletters: Create a list and utilize it to send out newsletters with new product designs, offers, or important updates.
Search Optimization: Make changes to how your products and your store are displayed to search engines. This will provide better organic traffic.
Paid Ads: Use Facebook, Instagram, or Google all along, and purchase paid promotions.
Step 8: Monitor and Optimize Your Business
Upon starting your shop, it is wise to observe sales and polish your business accordingly to do more effective business. Here is how to go about it:
Track Your Sales: Capture data regarding your sales so you can see how specific products are performing.
Gather Feedback: Know what the clients have to say and tailor your designs and products to better serve them.
Experiment with Novel Concepts: Remain open to designing fresh ideas and try to assess their appeal to your clients.
Expand Your Business: With the growth of your business, you may want to add more products or enter into a different market.
Advice on Achieving Desired Results in Your Print-on-demand Pet Project
Be Positive: Focus and concentration are regarded as the strongest virtues in business. They also allow for the creation and continual uploading of engaging designs for potential clients.
Put Emphasis On Excellence: Make sure that your designs are excellent and that you choose a reliable POD supplier in order to please the customers.
Exercise Self-control: It is self-evident that it takes time to establish a successful POD business. Hence, there is a chance you may not succeed immediately.
Observe And Follow: Participate in online communities and groups on discussion boards and social media which focus on POD can assist you with valuable advice and the latest changes in the market.
Remain Principled: Ensure that your designs are original and do not violate copyrights or trademarks. Consider using unique art pieces along with licensed components.
Conclusion
Using Canva to design and getting into the print-on-demand business can be an effective way to earn extra money with little risk since you don’t even need to spend money on inventory. The information presented in this manual will enable you to start a lucrative print-on-demand business that will give you the opportunity to share your creativity with millions of people. It is important for you to remain constant and concentrate on quality and improvements in your business for it to succeed. Who knows, your POD side hustle may even evolve into a primary source of income. Wishing you all the best in your work!