Are Canva photos copyright free?
Asked by: Laisha Flatley | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (8 votes)
Canva photos are generally licensed for use, not truly "copyright-free," meaning you get a non-exclusive right to use them, but you don't own the copyright; free content can usually be used commercially (with some cautions for identifiable people/logos), while Pro content requires a paid license, and all content has restrictions on reselling or using it standalone. The key is understanding you have a license, not ownership, so while you can use them in your designs (even for sale), you can't claim full copyright over the image itself or resell the raw asset.
Are photos on Canva copyrighted?
Canva gives you non-exclusive licenses to use stock Content in your designs, (including photos, graphics, videos, fonts, and music) for a range of permitted uses. This includes the ability to sell certain types of designs that contain Content.
Are canvas photos copyright free?
Yes! All of our photos, fonts and graphics can be used to create designs for printing on products for sale (like t-shirts, mugs, books and other merchandise), as long as you comply with our license.
How to avoid copyright with Canva?
1. Link your Canva account to your YouTube account to prevent content ID claims. When you download a video that contains music from Epidemic Sound, Audiosocket, or Artlist, you can sign in to your YouTube channel, and Canva will pass the track's license to help prevent Content ID claims.
Are Canva pics royalty free?
All free photos, music and video files on Canva can be used for free for commercial and noncommercial use. If a photo, music or video file contains an identifiable person, place, logo or trademark, please ensure you check the image source or contact us if you're unsure.
How to use Canva Pro Music - Everything You Need to Know!
Can I legally sell things I make on Canva?
Yes, you can legally sell things you make on Canva, but you must create original designs by combining elements, not resell Canva's stock assets or unaltered templates as-is; your final product needs to be a unique composition, and if selling editable templates with Pro content, you must share them as Canva template links.
Do you need to credit Canva images?
Generally speaking, there's no requirement to attribute the creators of the elements used in your designs - but it's always welcome!
Can you take images from Canva?
Here's a step by step process on how to download image from Canva: Select the portion you want to download. You can click and drag over the items or hold Shift and click 'Group' to group the elements. Click the ellipsis icon for more options.
Can you legally sell Canva templates on Etsy?
Yes, you can sell designs on Etsy that you create in Canva, but you must follow Canva's commercial terms: create original designs from scratch using a combination of free elements, fonts, and your own photos, and you cannot resell Canva's pre-made templates or Pro elements as-is. You typically sell these as "template links" (allowing buyers to edit in their own Canva account) or as finished printables (PDFs, JPGs).
Can I legally use a logo from Canva?
Canva's logo templates are customizable and can be used by anyone. This means that your rights to the logo are non-exclusive and you can't register it as a trademark.
How to know if images are copyright free?
To know if an image is copyright-free, assume it's copyrighted by default, then check for watermarks, use Google's Advanced Search (Tools > Usage Rights > Creative Commons), perform a reverse image search to find the source, or look on dedicated free stock sites like Unsplash/Pexels, always verifying the specific license on the original site before using it.
Can I sell my designs made on Canva?
Generally speaking, Canva's CLA allows both Free and Pro users to sell their designs on printed merchandise, like posters, mugs and even tote bags. Users can also design and sell certain digital products, like e-books, photo books(opens in a new tab or window), and magazines, or create designs for clients.
Why did Canva charge me $30?
Canva charged you $30 likely because a free trial for Canva Pro or Teams automatically converted to a paid subscription, you have multiple accounts with active subscriptions, or you purchased individual Pro elements/templates, with common triggers being forgotten trial cancellations or accidental renewals after using different emails/logins. To find out exactly why, use Canva's Charge Finder with your invoice details or check your Billing section in Settings to see which account was charged and cancel any unwanted subscriptions to prevent future charges.
Does Canva sell your images?
We review each photo you upload before publishing it to the Canva marketplace. If approved, millions of Canva users can use your photography as an element in their designs, and you can earn royalties. Your photos can appear on posters, websites, books, anywhere and everywhere.
Can you use Canva Pro images for free?
If you want to use Pro Content with a free account, you'll need to pay a one-time license fee to use it without a watermark in that specific design. Since the license fee is only good for that particular project, you'll have to pay for it again if you use the same content for another design.
How much does Etsy take from a $1000 sale?
For a $1000 sale on Etsy, you'd pay about $90-$100 in mandatory fees, primarily the 6.5% transaction fee (around $65), plus a payment processing fee (around 3% + $0.25, or ~$30 for $1000), and a listing fee ($0.20), with potential for a 12-15% Offsite Ads fee if the sale came through their ads. The exact total depends on shipping, taxes, and whether Offsite Ads were used.
Is it legal to sell Canva designs on Amazon?
You can't sell any Canva content on a standalone basis. Creating an original design means using Canva Content with a combination of design elements (e.g. images, videos, audio files, other media, text, illustrations, background features, etc. ) and editing techniques to make a "new" creative work.
What is not allowed to sell on Etsy?
The following types of items are prohibited or restricted on Etsy: Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, Medical Drugs and Devices, and Items making Medical Claims. Animal Products and Human Body Parts and Fluids. Dangerous Items: Hazardous Materials and Devices, Recalled Items, and Weapons.
Can we copy images from Canva?
You can copy Canva designs, files, and folders between teams or accounts. This includes both supported and unsupported doctypes, within the applicable document limits. You can only copy items, not move them. The original stays in its current location.
Do I need a license to sell Canva products?
Free content can be used in designs without restrictions. But to resell premium designs, you need Canva Pro licensing for templates. Restrictions on using Canva templates or stock as standalone products: Canva's terms of use prohibit the resale of their templates or stock elements as standalone products.
How to download Canva images without watermark?
You access design templates that include paid elements.
- 5 methods to remove or avoid watermarks in Canva. ...
- Upgrade to Canva Pro. ...
- Replace the watermarked asset with a free image. ...
- Use Canva's Magic Eraser. ...
- Cover the watermark with shapes, stickers, or text. ...
- Recreate the area using Canva elements or overlays.
How do I cite a photo from Canva?
How to Cite in Canva
- On the edit toolbar, select 'Uploads'.
- Add an image you want to cite.
- You can add text boxes by clicking on the 'Text' tab on the left-hand side of the interface.
- Select 'Add a text box'.
- Once you've added a text box to your design, type or paste the citation information into the text box.
How does copyright work with Canva?
The designs must be your own and not include any pro elements belonging to another creator. All images available in Canva's media library belong to the creators and they own the copyright. However, Canva does distinguish between free-to-use images and pro images.
Can you use free images for commercial use?
An image that is royalty‑free is not necessarily free for commercial use — that is, any use that could lead to buying or selling something. The most reliable image services require you to pay a fee for a license that allows you to use the image for commercial or non‑commercial uses, as long as you follow the terms.
What sells most on Canva?
The best-selling Canva products are primarily digital templates for businesses, creators, and personal use, with top sellers including social media kits, planners & workbooks, eBooks & guides, branding kits (logos, business cards), and printable event items like invitations and signage, often bundled for specific niches like real estate or coaching to offer comprehensive value and cater to high-demand needs for professional, customizable designs.