1) Format Your Journal under KDP Requirements.

Before creating a journal on Canva, you want to make sure that your final product will meet Amazon KDP requirements. You can use the KDP Cover Calculator feature to input your specific dimensions to get a guide layer you can use as you do layout work for your journal. This step also helps you prevent formatting and printing hassles you might encounter later on.

Go to kdp.amazon.com/cover-calculator and enter information about your journal. For the sake of this practice, choose paperback under binding type as its the usual choice for journal sellers. For interior type, choose black & white and pick white paper for paper type. For page-turn direction, select left to right and choose inches for measurement units. As for the interior trim size, go with 8.5 x 11 inches since it's the most common size for free Canva journal templates. Indicate 110 for page count and then click Calculate Dimensions. 

You will then get the template below, which serves as your guide for layout and printing later on. The template shows all necessary measurements for full cover, front cover, bleed, margin, spine area, barcode margin, and more.  

Click download template to get your template's PDF and PNG files for free.

You can then use the template file (example seen below) as your guide as you start designing your cover and interior pages in Canva. Again, take note of the measurements to avoid mistakes along the way.

2) Choose a Template and Customize.

Canva offers a massive selection of templates you can use to create your own journals. These templates come in different styles and designs. To get started, simply type “journal” on the search box to see available Canva template options. You can also be specific and search for “gratitude journal,” “prayer journal,” or “travel journal,” depending on your project.

These Canva design templates come in different styles and usually have pre-made covers and interior pages, making them easy to customize according to your preference.

Take note, however, that some Canva design templates are only accessible to Canva Pro users. To find free templates, click the “Price” dropdown menu and select “Free.” Alternatively, you can also click “All Filters,” scroll down, and select “Free” under “Price.” 

3) Format and Design.

Formatting and designing your journal allows you to control your product’s appearance and quality. The goal is to create a journal that’s both visually pleasing and practical to use at the same time. 

Important design elements to consider include the cover and the interior page of your journal. Of course, you have to keep your journal’s trim size in mind. As mentioned, most free journal templates on Canva these days measure 8.5 x 11 inches. Resizing is not an option for free users, unless you create a journal design from scratch. Meanwhile, Canva Pro users can easily adjust a template’s dimensions by clicking Magic Switch and then indicating the custom size.

Once you’re settled with your journal’s dimensions, you can now start tweaking its look. Click Design and go to Styles to change your journal’s color palette. Explore different options to see which best matches your brand and style. 

Click Elements to access shapes, graphics, stickers, charts, tables, frames, and more. You may also use your own images by clicking Uploads and then Upload Files. 

Also, decide whether you’re creating a simple lined journal (similar to a notebook) or a guided journal (which contain prompts that encourage writing). Now if you want to change and resize fonts, click Text to see default text styles and other font combinations. You can also use Creative Fabrica to find additional fonts to use.

Finally, decide the sizes of your margins and bleeds, plus the total number of pages. Journals typically have a page count of 100 to 250 pages.  

4) Create a Cover.

To sell journals on Amazon using Canva, your journal also needs to have an effective cover. They’re the first thing people will notice as they browse the Amazon marketplace. So your journal cover needs to set clear expectations by conveying its theme. It should also work as a promotional tool to help attract attention from potential buyers. You want your cover to be eye-catching and niche relevant at the same time.

Canva offers numerous design elements you can use in creating your book cover. You can check out the website for inspiration. As mentioned, you can use Design, Elements, and Text to tweak the colors, graphics, and title to match your vision. Use your creativity, plus don't forget to add your author name on the cover. 

Of course, another option is to hire a professional artist or designer to create your book cover. This also makes an excellent alternative if you have the budget and want to stand out among other sellers who are also using Canva to sell journals on Amazon.

5) Upload Your Journal to Amazon.

Head to the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing site and click +Create to start uploading your low content book.

Next, click Create Paperback since you are publishing a paperback journal.

Start filling in the Paperback Details such as your chosen primary language, book title, subtitle, and other relevant information.

For the category, choose Self-Help and check Journal Writing.

Once you're done, proceed with Paperback Content. Choose Publish without an ISBN. According to the Amazon KDP site, "low-content books, like notebooks, planners, journals, and other similar works" do not require an ISBN. 

Indicate other information about your journal such as print options (ink and paper type, trim size, bleed settings and cover finish). Also, be ready to upload your manuscript (interior pages) in formatted PDF, Microsoft Word, .html, or .rtf file format. Meanwhile, your cover can only be uploaded in print-ready PDF format.

Finally, complete the Paperback Rights & Pricing section where you will be asked to select your territories and set a price for your journal.  

6) Market and Advertise Your Journal.

Promoting your journal is a necessary step before you can start getting sales. Your goal is to gain as much exposure as possible to your target market. For example, you can invest in paid Amazon Ads to market your low content book.

You should likewise optimize your target keywords as you sell journals on Amazon. Strategically use relevant keywords in your title and description to increase your chances of appearing in search results when potential buyers perform searches on the Amazon marketplace.

Another idea is to take advantage of social media, which is “perhaps the most powerful marketing channel,” according to Book Bolt. “It’s where you want to be if your goal is to sell more low- or no-content books on Amazon,” the site adds. “The channels that work best for such products are Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.”