What is Canva? A Global Design Powerhouse for Everyone
Canva is a free-to-use online graphic design platform that empowers users to create stunning visuals effortlessly—from social media graphics to presentations, resumes, logos, and beyond. Launched in 2013 and headquartered in Australia, Canva has become the go-to platform for over 85 million users across 190 countries. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, teacher, or business professional, Canva makes design accessible with drag-and-drop simplicity.
But Canva is more than just a tool—it’s a creative ecosystem. In 2019, Canva introduced its Affiliate Program, allowing users and marketers to earn money while promoting this widely-loved platform. In 2025, it has evolved into a new, content-creator focused initiative that opens even more opportunities for creative income.
Canva Affiliate Program: Earn Up to $36 Per Subscriber
If you’re an affiliate marketer or have an audience that would benefit from design tools, the Canva Affiliate Program is a lucrative option. Affiliates can earn up to $36 per paid subscriber they refer. Here’s what you need to know:
- Commission: Up to $36 per Canva Pro subscriber
- Cookie Duration: 30 days
- Network: Hosted on the Impact affiliate platform
- Minimum Payout: $50
- Payment Methods: PayPal, ACH
- Corporate HQ: Australia
It’s an ideal match for bloggers, influencers, course creators, and digital marketers who talk about branding, content creation, education, or business.
Major Update: Shift to the Empower Canvassador Program
As of January 31, 2024, Canva transitioned its affiliate structure to focus more on content creators rather than traditional affiliates. The former affiliate model has sunset, and the new program is called the Empower Canvassador Program.
Why This Change?
Canva aims to support individual creators who actively use the platform and want to inspire others. The Empower program encourages creators to produce:
- Tutorials
- Courses
- Design workshops
Those accepted into the program still use their existing Impact affiliate ID, but must reapply and accept the new terms. Existing affiliate links will continue to work, but commissions stop accruing unless you are accepted into Empower.
Canva Creators Program: Design and Earn Royalties
If passive income is more your style, the Canva Creators Program is worth exploring. This initiative allows creatives to submit templates and elements to the Canva marketplace and earn royalties based on usage.
Types of Creators:
- Template Creators: Design ready-to-use layouts
- Element Creators: Provide illustrations, photos, audio, etc.
- Specialty Creators: Subject experts (e.g., teachers)
Monetization:
- Earn from both Free and Pro template usages
- Get paid based on royalty pool distribution
- Payments depend on the number of exports, downloads, or prints of your design
The beauty of this program is earning while you sleep—design once, earn forever!
Ways to Promote Your Work and Maximize Earnings
Whether you’re part of the affiliate program or a Canva Creator, promotion is key. Canva supports you with plenty of promotional strategies:
- Share your public Creator profile in newsletters and bios
- Upload design tutorials to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok
- Pin your templates to Pinterest (huge design audience!)
- Use Facebook groups relevant to your niche
- Combine affiliate links with your Creator templates to double your earnings
This creates a dual-income stream: earn commissions on Canva Pro sign-ups AND royalties on your own templates.
Final Thoughts: Why Canva is a Must-Join for Creators in 2025
In 2025, Canva is not just a design tool—it’s a complete platform for creators and marketers to grow their brand and bank account. Whether you’re promoting Canva through affiliate marketing or building passive income with templates and elements, the potential is massive.
✔ High commissions
✔ Global reach (85M+ users)
✔ Passive royalties
✔ Easy-to-use platform
✔ Creator-focused programs
If you're a content creator, educator, influencer, or designer, joining the Empower Canvassador or Creator Program can be your next big move.