Digital Products

How to Create High-Converting Etsy Listing Videos for Free in Canva

Listing videos are a powerful tool for Etsy sellers. While static images show what a product is, video captures attention in the search results (where videos auto-play on hover) and helps potential buyers visualize the product in use.

This guide, based on the tutorial by Lauren Keys, outlines how to move beyond basic screen recordings to create polished, animated listing videos using the free version of Canva.

Why Video Matters

  • Search Visibility: Listings with videos stand out in Etsy search results because they move while others stay static.
  • Professionalism: A designed video looks more trustworthy and high-end than a shaky phone recording or raw screen capture.
  • Efficiency: A 5-to-10-second video is often enough to convey value without boring the viewer.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Set Up Your Canvas

Start by creating a design with the same dimensions you use for your listing photos. This ensures consistency across your shop.

  • Dimensions: Click Create a design > Custom size. A recommended size is 2667 x 2000 pixels.
  • Note: While video dimensions can vary, using your listing image size works perfectly for the Etsy player.

2. Prepare Your Product Images

You need high-quality PNGs of your digital product pages (e.g., planner pages, social media templates, or workbook sheets).

  1. Open your product design in Canva.
  2. Click Share > Download.
  3. Select PNG as the file type.
  4. Uncheck “All pages” and select only the specific pages you want to feature in the video.
  5. Click Download.
  6. Upload: Go back to your new blank video canvas, go to the Uploads tab, and import these PNG files.

3. Design the Background

Don’t settle for a plain white background. Add depth and branding.

  1. Color: Select the background and choose a color that matches your brand (e.g., a soft pink).
  2. Texture/Shadow: Go to Elements and search for “Shadow” (filter by Photos). Select a shadow image.
  3. Blend: Right-click the shadow image and select Replace background. Then, lower the Transparency so the color shines through, giving the background a subtle, professional texture.

4. Arrange and Edit Images

Place your uploaded product PNGs onto the canvas.

  • Layout: Arrange them artistically (e.g., fanned out or in a grid).
  • Add Depth: To stop the images from looking flat, add shadows.
    • Click an image > Edit Photo.
    • Go to Shadows > Drop Shadow.
    • Repeat this for all product images to make them “pop” off the background.

5. Add Text and Context

Add a short headline to explain what the product is (e.g., “50 Post Templates to Grow Your Brand”).

  • Style: Change the font and color to match your brand.
  • Legibility: Add a shadow to the text via the Effects tab to ensure it stands out against the background.
  • Tip: Keep text minimal. The video is only 5–10 seconds long, so viewers won’t have time to read paragraphs.

6. Animate the Design

This is the step that turns a static image into a video.

  1. Select Elements: Highlight all your images and text.
  2. Animate: Click the Animate button in the top toolbar.
  3. Choose Effect: Browse the animation styles (e.g., “Rise,” “Pan,” or “Pop”) and select one you like.
  4. Check Timing: Look at the timer in the top right corner. The default is usually 5 seconds, which is perfect for Etsy.
    • Optional: If you need more time, duplicate the page to extend the video to 10 seconds, but 5 seconds is usually sufficient.

7. Download and Publish

  1. Review: Watch the preview to ensure no text is being cut off by the animation (a common glitch). If it is, try a different animation style.
  2. Export: Click Share > Download.
  3. Format: Ensure MP4 Video is selected.
  4. Upload to Etsy: Go to your Etsy listing manager and upload the file in the video section.

Pro Tip: Create Reusable Mockups

Once you have created one video you love, you don’t need to start from scratch for your next product.

  1. Go to your Canva Home dashboard.
  2. Find your video design.
  3. Click the three dots (…) and select Make a copy.
  4. Rename the file (e.g., “Wellness Workbook Video”).
  5. Open the copy, delete the old product images, and drag in your new ones.The background, text styling, and animations are already set, allowing you to create new listing videos in minutes.
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