If you’re searching for the best passive income for beginners, you’re in the right place. Whether you want to sell simple books on Amazon KDP or customized merchandise like mugs, posters, and tote bags, this guide shows you how to combine AI + Canva to build a real online income stream — even with zero design skills or tech experience.
Let’s dive into the two most powerful beginner-friendly methods: selling Canva designs on print-on-demand (POD) products and creating books for Amazon KDP using AI.
Why Canva and AI Make This Strategy So Effective
Tools like Canva have made it easier than ever to create professional-looking designs without needing a design degree. Add in free AI tools like ChatGPT, and now anyone can come up with original ideas and content for books or merchandise.
This means:
- No need for upfront inventory
- No writing experience required
- No design background necessary
All you need is a computer, internet access, and a few hours to start. This is one of the best passive income ideas for beginners.
Part 1: What You Can Sell
Canva’s Content License Agreement allows both Free and Pro users to sell their custom designs on physical products like:
- Mugs
- Tote bags
- Posters and art prints
- T-shirts and hoodies
- Stickers
You cannot sell Canva templates as-is or redistribute stock elements by themselves. But when you combine Canva’s assets into your own unique design, you’re allowed to use them for commercial purposes, including POD sales.
Best Platforms for Selling
To start selling, you can use platforms like:
- Etsy – Best for handmade or niche products
- Redbubble, Zazzle, or Teespring – Beginner-friendly and fully automated
- Shopify + Printful/Printify – Great for full control and building a brand
- Amazon Merch – High potential traffic, but limited acceptance
Each platform lets you upload designs created in Canva and then prints, packs, and ships products on demand. That means zero upfront investment.
How to Design Print-Ready Products with Canva
- Choose the right size (based on the POD platform’s requirements)
- Use high-resolution elements in Canva (Pro features help, but free is enough to start)
- Export as PNG or PDF Print depending on product type
- Focus on niche appeal — Think funny mugs for dog lovers, aesthetic wall art, or inspirational tote bags
This is a real opportunity to monetize your creativity.
Part 2: How to Use AI + Canva to Create and Sell Simple Books on Amazon KDP
If you’re searching for the best passive income for beginners, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use AI book creator tools and Canva to create and sell books on Amazon KDP — even if you have zero design skills or writing experience. It’s one of the best passive income investments for beginners looking to build an online income stream.
Why Books? Why Now?
Books—especially low-content books like journals, planners, and activity books—are among the best passive income ideas for beginners. Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) allows you to publish books for free and earn royalties when they sell. Some of the best books to sell on Amazon KDP are simple, require no writing, and are in high demand.
Combine that with free AI tools and Canva templates, and you’ve got a super beginner-friendly strategy to start creating passive income for beginners.
Step 1: Use AI to Come Up with Book Ideas
You can use free tools like ChatGPT to generate niche ideas, titles, prompts, or even full content for your book. Whether you’re creating a gratitude journal or a coloring book, AI can help you brainstorm and organize.
Here’s how:
- Ask AI: “Give me 10 niche ideas for low-content books to sell on Amazon KDP.”
- Then: “Give me 30 daily prompts for a 90-day gratitude journal.”
If you’re wondering, “book made by AI — is that allowed?”, the answer is yes — as long as the content is original and doesn’t violate Amazon’s guidelines.
Step 2: Design It in Canva (No Design Skills Needed)
Canva is a free online design tool that’s perfect for creating the interiors and covers for your books. They even have templates designed specifically for Amazon KDP dimensions.
- Choose a template (e.g., 6×9 inch journal)
- Add the AI-generated prompts or content
- Export your PDF for upload
Pro tip: Canva’s free version is more than enough to get started.
Step 3: Publish on Amazon KDP
Go to kdp.amazon.com and create a free account. Follow the simple steps to upload your book and set your price.
You’ll need:
- A book title and description (AI can help!)
- Your Canva interior file
- A cover file (Canva again)
Many beginners ask: “Can you sell coloring books on Amazon KDP?” and “How to sell coloring books on Amazon KDP?” Yes — you absolutely can, and they’re popular with both kids and adults. Just make sure your images are original or royalty-free.
Popular book types to sell on Amazon KDP:
- Gratitude journals
- Coloring books (for kids and adults)
- Daily planners
- Fitness logs
- Meal planners
These low-content books require minimal effort but have high demand.
Combining Both Strategies for Maximum Income
Why choose just one income stream? You can easily apply your Canva and AI skills across both models:
- Use Canva to create a motivational quote design for both a poster and a journal cover
- Use AI to come up with prompts for a journal, and then turn the same prompts into social media content that promotes your merchandise
- Repurpose one niche (like mindfulness or productivity) into books, wall art, and mugs
This is how smart creators build multiple income streams from one core idea.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the simplest, most accessible ways to create a new income stream online. You don’t need to be a writer, designer, or tech expert.
If you’re serious about selling books on Amazon KDP, and you want to tap into the power of AI and Canva, get started today. It’s fast, free, and beginner-friendly.
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to start building passive income, this is it. Between Canva and free AI tools, the tech barriers are gone. You don’t need to be a writer, designer, or marketing expert.
This approach is:
✅ Free to start
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Scalable
✅ Low risk
✅ Proven to work
🎁[GIFT] - Make & Sell Simple Books with AI + Canva
Have you ever thought about making a little extra money online—but didn’t know where to start?
Today, I’ve got something cool for you.
I’m giving away a totally free eBook that shows you how to use AI + Canva to create and sell simple books on Amazon.
✅ No writing skills needed
✅ No design skills needed
✅ Just follow the step-by-step process
In this guide, you’ll learn how to create fun riddle books (or any type of niche book) using free tools like ChatGPT and Canva, then publish it through Amazon KDP—where it can earn passive income while you sleep.
It’s beginner-friendly, fun, and could be your first step toward building a side hustle that actually works.