9 Profitable Side Hustles for Graphic Designers in Canada (2025)

You are a graphic designer in Canada.

You are good at what you do, but the bills keep piling up.

Maybe you’re wondering how to make extra cash without burning out.

Or you’re worried about finding gigs that actually pay well.

You don’t want a second job that feels like a trap.

You want freedom, flexibility, and real money.

Here’s the deal: your design skills are a goldmine.

I’m diving into 9 profitable, easy side hustles for graphic designers in Canada.

These aren’t pie-in-the-sky ideas.

They’re practical, proven, and you can start today.

Let’s get you paid.

Why Truehost.ca Is Your Side Hustle Secret Weapon

Every side hustle needs a home base online.

A website, a portfolio, a shop—something to show the world what you’ve got.

That’s where Truehost.ca comes in.

It’s the cheapest, most reliable web hosting provider in Canada.

Starting at a few bucks a month, you get fast servers, 24/7 support, and a platform that doesn’t crash when clients visit.

Whether you’re selling templates or freelancing, Truehost.ca (https://truehost.ca) ensures your work shines online.

Think of it like renting a sleek studio for your designs without the crazy Toronto rent prices.

Get your hustle live, look legit, and don’t break the bank.

1. Sell Digital Templates on Etsy and Canva

People need designs fast.

Small businesses, bloggers, and even students buy ready-made templates.

Think resumes, social media posts, wedding invites, or planners.

You create once, sell forever.

Passive income, baby.

Why it works: Canadians spent over $2 billion on Etsy in 2024. Demand for digital downloads is skyrocketing.
How to start: Use Canva or Adobe to design templates. Upload to Etsy or Canva’s creator program. Price between $5-$20.
Pro tip: Research trending niches like “minimalist resumes” or “Instagram story templates.” Update designs monthly to stay fresh.
Example: Sarah, a Vancouver designer, makes $1,500/month selling Canva templates. She started with 10 resume designs and scaled to 50.

Get going: Set up a shop on Truehost.ca to showcase your templates alongside Etsy. It’s your brand’s home base.

2. Freelance Graphic Design on Upwork and Fiverr

Clients are begging for logos, banners, and branding.

Freelancing lets you pick projects and set rates.

You’re not stuck in a 9-to-5.

Hourly rates in Canada range from $25-$75.

Why it works: Small businesses in Canada need affordable design help. Platforms like Upwork connect you instantly.
How to start: Build a killer profile with a portfolio. Bid on 5-10 jobs daily. Start with smaller gigs to build reviews.
Pro tip: Specialize in one area (like logo design) to stand out. Avoid $5 gigs they’re a time suck.

Get going: Host your portfolio on Truehost.ca. Link it in your Upwork profile to look pro.

3. Create Print-on-Demand Merch

Love designing cool graphics?

Slap them on t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases.

Print-on-demand sites handle printing and shipping.

You just design and cash checks.

Why it works: Canadians love unique merch. Sites like Redbubble and Printful have global reach.
How to start: Create designs in Adobe or Canva. Upload to Printful or Redbubble. Promote on Instagram or Pinterest.
Pro tip: Focus on niche designs like “Canadian hockey mom” or “Toronto skyline.” Test 10 designs, scale what sells.
Example: Lisa in Ottawa earns $800/month from Redbubble. Her “eh?” t-shirt went viral on TikTok.

Get going: Build a simple shop on Truehost.ca to drive traffic to your merch. Add a blog about your design process for SEO juice.

4. Design Book Covers for Self-Published Authors

Indie authors in Canada are booming.

They need eye-catching book covers to stand out.

You can charge $200-$1,000 per cover.

One client a month could cover your rent.

Why it works: Self-publishing grew 20% in Canada last year. Authors pay for quality.
How to start: Join Kindle Direct Publishing’s cover creator community. Network with authors on X or Goodreads.
Pro tip: Study bestselling covers in genres like romance or sci-fi. Offer revisions to seal deals.

Get going: Show your cover portfolio on Truehost.ca. Add testimonials to build trust.

5. Sell Stock Graphics and Illustrations

Businesses need icons, patterns, and backgrounds. Stock sites let you sell these endlessly. Create once, profit forever.

Why it works: Stock graphics are a $4 billion industry. Canadians buy for websites, ads, and presentations.

How to start: Design icons or illustrations in Illustrator. Upload to Shutterstock or Creative Market. Price at $10-$50.

Pro tip: Bundle assets (e.g., “100 business icons”) for higher sales. Optimize file names for search (e.g., “minimalist logo pack”).

Example: Tom in Winnipeg earns $600/month from Shutterstock. His “flat design icons” sell like hotcakes.

Host a stock graphics page on Truehost.ca. Use it to upsell custom design services.

6. Teach Graphic Design Online

You’re a pro.

Share your skills through courses or tutorials.

Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare pay per student.

Turn your expertise into cash.

Why it works: Canadians are spending $1.2 billion on online learning. Design courses are in demand.

How to start: Record a 2-hour course on Photoshop basics. Upload to Udemy. Promote on YouTube or X.

Pro tip: Start with free YouTube tutorials to build an audience. Funnel them to paid courses.

Host course previews on Truehost.ca.

Link to your full courses for seamless sales.

7. Offer Social Media Graphics for Small Businesses

Every business needs Instagram posts and stories.

Most don’t have time to design them.

You can charge $50-$200 per package.

Recurring clients are the goal.

Why it works: Canadian small businesses spent $3 billion on social media ads in 2024. Graphics are key.
How to start: Reach out to local cafes or gyms on Instagram. Offer a 10-post package. Use Canva for speed.
Pro tip: Offer monthly subscriptions for consistent income. Automate posts with tools like Later.

Display your social media work on Truehost.ca. Add a “hire me” button for easy bookings.

8. Design Custom Icons and Illustrations for Websites

Websites need unique visuals to stand out.

Custom icons and illustrations are in demand.

Charge $100-$500 per project.

Niche down and dominate.

Why it works: Canadian e-commerce grew 15% in 2024. Brands want custom visuals, not stock.

How to start: Pitch to web developers on LinkedIn. Show samples of icons or UI illustrations.

Pro tip: Learn basic UX principles to add value. Bundle icons with website mockups for bigger gigs.

Get going: Host an icon gallery on Truehost.ca. Use SEO keywords like “custom website icons Canada” to rank.

9. Start a Niche Design Blog

Love writing about design?

A blog can make money through ads, affiliates, or selling your services. Build an audience, cash in later.

Why it works: Blogs with 1,000 monthly visitors can earn $500-$2,000 via ads or affiliates.

How to start: Pick a niche like “Canva tips for beginners.” Write 10 posts. Monetize with Google Ads or affiliate links.

Pro tip: Post on X about design trends to drive traffic. Guest blog on bigger sites for backlinks.

Example

Mark in Regina earns $700/month from his blog on typography.

He started with 5 posts and grew from there.

Get going: Launch your blog on Truehost.ca. Their hosting is dirt-cheap and perfect for new sites.

9 Profitable Side Hustles for Graphic Designers in Canada