How to Make GoodNotes Templatesto Sell on Etsy
GoodNotes templates are one of the fastest-growing digital product categories on Etsy. iPad users spend real money on beautiful, functional templates — and once you create one, you can sell it an unlimited number of times with zero extra effort. This guide walks you through the entire process.
📝Quick Answer: How to Make GoodNotes Templates for Etsy
To make GoodNotes templates for Etsy:
- 1. Design your template in Canva, Keynote, Adobe Illustrator, or PowerPoint
- 2. Export as PDF — GoodNotes opens PDF files directly as paper templates
- 3. Test the template in GoodNotes on an iPad
- 4. Package with usage instructions and listing images
- 5. List on Etsy with keyword-rich titles and descriptions
Most profitable categories: Daily planners, student notebooks, budget trackers, and digital journals — each selling for $4–$18 per template pack.
What Are GoodNotes Templates?
PDF files with pre-designed layouts that iPad users import as custom paper backgrounds
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planners
Time-blocking layouts, habit trackers, to-do lists
Very High DemandStudent Notebooks
Cornell notes, lecture outlines, study guides
High DemandBudget Trackers
Expense sheets, savings goals, debt payoff trackers
High DemandJournal Pages
Gratitude journals, mood trackers, reflection prompts
High DemandBusiness Templates
Meeting notes, project planners, goal sheets
Medium-High DemandAcademic Calendars
Semester planners, exam schedules, reading logs
High DemandTools to Design GoodNotes Templates
You just need to design a PDF — choose the tool that fits your skills and budget
| Tool | Cost | Best For | Learning Curve | PDF Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canva | Free / $13/mo Pro | Beginners, decorative templates | Easy | Good |
| Apple Keynote | Free (Mac/iPad) | Clean, minimal designs | Easy–Medium | Excellent |
| Adobe Illustrator | $55/mo | Premium, complex planners | Hard | Excellent |
| PowerPoint / Google Slides | Free–$10/mo | Sellers who already know these | Easy | Good |
Recommended for Beginners: Canva
- Open Canva → Create design → Custom size: 2550 × 3300 px
- Design layout using grids, lines, shapes, and text
- File → Download → PDF Print (highest quality)
- Free tier covers everything you need to start
Recommended for Mac Users: Keynote
- Free on all Apple devices
- Precise measurement and alignment tools
- Templates export cleanly to PDF with perfect fidelity
- Easy to create multi-page packs
Canvas Dimensions for GoodNotes Templates
Choose the right size to maximize reach across buyer markets
| Format | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| US Letter | 8.5 × 11 in (2550 × 3300 px @300dpi) | North American buyers |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | European/international buyers |
| Vertical iPad (4:3) | 2048 × 2732 px | iPad Pro — fills screen edge-to-edge |
| Square | 1:1 ratio | Specific layout types |
For maximum reach: Design in US Letter and A4 variants and offer both in the same Etsy listing. This captures North American and international buyers without creating two separate listings.
9-Step Guide: How to Make GoodNotes Templates
From niche research to your first Etsy listing
Pick a Profitable Niche
Don't start with a generic daily planner. Start with a specific sub-niche where buyers exist and competition is manageable.
- • Student planners — semester overview, class schedule, assignment tracker
- • Budget planners — zero-based budget, savings challenge, debt snowball
- • Fitness journals — workout log, macro tracker, progress photos template
- • Reading journals — book log, reading tracker, review sheets
- • Work from home planners — daily schedule, focus timer, project tracker
- • Search Etsy for "[niche] goodnotes template" — 50+ reviews confirms demand
Plan Your Layout
Sketch your layout before opening any design tool. Decide sections, grid system, visual hierarchy, and white space.
- • Sections: Date, time blocks, to-do list, notes, gratitude area
- • Grid: Lined, dotted, grid, or blank writing areas
- • Hierarchy: What is the most important element on the page?
- • White space: GoodNotes users write and draw — leave room for that
Set Up Your Canvas
Choose the right canvas dimensions. For maximum reach, design both US Letter and A4 variants and include both in your listing.
- • US Letter: 8.5 × 11 in (2550 × 3300 px at 300dpi) — North American buyers
- • A4: 210 × 297 mm — European and international buyers
- • Vertical iPad: 2048 × 2732 px — fills iPad Pro screen edge to edge
Design Your Template
Apply consistent typography, color, and line standards so the template looks polished and works well with handwriting on top.
- • Use no more than 2 fonts: one heading, one body label
- • Keep font sizes 8pt+ for any text users will read
- • Writing lines should be light gray (#e0e0e0) — subtle guides, not dominant
- • Pick one primary accent color and use it consistently
- • Lined spacing: 0.25 in (6.35mm) — standard notebook spacing
- • Dotted grid: 5mm spacing matches GoodNotes default
Build a Complete Pack
Single pages sell, but packs sell better and at higher prices. Offer multiple template pages in one listing.
- • Daily Planner Pack: Daily page + Weekly overview + Monthly calendar + Notes (4 designs)
- • Student Pack: Daily schedule + Assignment tracker + Study notes + Reading list
- • Budget Pack: Monthly budget + Weekly spending + Bills tracker + Savings goals
- • Export each design as a separate PDF page and also as one multi-page PDF
Export as PDF
GoodNotes imports PDF files. Use the correct export settings for crisp, professional results.
- • Format: PDF (not JPEG or PNG)
- • Quality: High / Print quality
- • Color profile: sRGB for screen-accurate colors on iPad
- • Compression: Minimal — keep file size under 50MB
- • Do not export as JPEG or PNG — these import as images, not templates
Test in GoodNotes
If you have GoodNotes (or know someone who does), test your template before listing it on Etsy.
- • Import your PDF into GoodNotes as a custom paper template
- • Write on every section with the Apple Pencil
- • Zoom in to 150% and check line crispness
- • Verify all pages render correctly
- • Check that writing areas are comfortably sized for handwriting
Create Your Listing Images
Listing images sell the template before anyone downloads it. You need at least 5 strong images.
- • Cover image: Full-page flat mockup of the main template design
- • iPad mockup: Template displayed on an iPad Pro
- • Feature breakdown: Image showing individual sections with labels
- • Pack overview: All pages in the pack shown together
- • Lifestyle image: iPad on a desk for aspirational context
- • Find free iPad mockup templates in Canva or search "ipad mockup goodnotes" on Etsy
Write Your Etsy Listing
Use a keyword-rich title, all 13 tags, and a structured description so buyers can find and understand your product.
- • Title formula: [Niche] GoodNotes Template | [Feature] | [Pack Size] | iPad Planner
- • Example: "Daily Planner GoodNotes Template | Hourly Time Blocking | 4-Page Pack"
- • Tags: goodnotes template, goodnotes planner, ipad planner, digital planner template
- • Description: What it is, what is included, how to use it, compatible apps, file delivery
- • Mention Notability and PDF Expert compatibility to capture additional buyers
Pricing GoodNotes Templates on Etsy
Guidelines by design tool and pack size
| Template Type | Single Page | Small Pack (3–5 pages) | Full Bundle (10+ pages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (Canva-designed) | $2–$4 | $5–$9 | $10–$15 |
| Mid-range (Keynote/PowerPoint) | $3–$6 | $7–$12 | $12–$18 |
| Premium (Illustrator/InDesign) | $5–$10 | $10–$18 | $18–$35 |
Pricing Strategy
- Start at the lower end of your range to generate early reviews
- Raise prices after your first 10–20 sales
- Bundle related templates (daily + weekly + monthly = higher perceived value)
- Offer a "complete system" at a premium price alongside individual packs
Revenue Expectations
- New shops (1–5 listings): $50–$200/month
- Growing shops (20+ listings): $500–$3,000+/month
- Established shops (50+ optimized listings): $5,000+/month
- Key drivers: niche, listing quality, photos, keyword optimization
GoodNotes Template Business: The Numbers
Finding Keywords That Drive Sales
Keyword visibility is the difference between 2 sales and 200
High-Value Keyword Patterns
[app name] + [template type]
e.g. "goodnotes budget template"
[template type] + for + [platform]
e.g. "planner template for goodnotes"
[niche] + digital + [type]
e.g. "student digital notebook template"
[niche] + ipad + planner
e.g. "fitness ipad planner 2026"
digital planner + [niche] + etsy
e.g. "digital planner for college students etsy"
How to Find Buyer Keywords
Use Etsy's search bar autocomplete — type "goodnotes" and see what Etsy suggests. Each suggestion is a real search buyers make. Build your tags, title, and description around these phrases.
For deeper keyword data — search volume, competition level, trending terms — a dedicated keyword research tool gives you data that autocomplete cannot.
Use InsightAgent Keyword Research
Find which GoodNotes template keywords have high search volume and low competition before you spend hours designing.
Research Keywords FreeHow to Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Differentiation strategies for GoodNotes template sellers
Serve an Underserved Niche
Instead of "daily planner," try: medical student rotation planner, law school case brief template, freelance client project tracker, or homeschool lesson plan template. Niche templates face less competition and command higher prices.
Offer a Dark Mode Version
Most GoodNotes templates are white-background. Dark mode templates (dark gray or black with light text) are distinctive. Include both light and dark versions in one listing for added value.
Create Seasonal Updates
A "Back to School" pack in August, a "New Year Goal Setting" pack in December, a "Summer Routine" pack in June. Seasonal templates get traffic from search spikes and give buyers a reason to return.
Optimize Your Listing Photos
Most sellers use flat screenshots. Stand out with realistic iPad Pro mockups, lifestyle photos of iPad on a styled desk, short GIFs showing the template in use, and side-by-side "blank then with handwriting" comparisons.
Respond to Reviews Quickly
When buyers leave reviews, respond within 24 hours. This shows Etsy's algorithm that your shop is active and engaged, which can improve your search ranking.
Build Template Families
Design variations of your top-selling template with different color schemes. Sell each color as a separate listing or bundle them as a "Color Pack" for a higher price point.
GoodNotes Template Best Practices
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌Don't Do This
- •Export as JPEG or PNG — these import as images, not paper templates in GoodNotes
- •Use dark or heavy lines — cluttered templates sell poorly and frustrate users
- •Skip usage instructions — many buyers have never imported a custom template before
- •Show only one page — if you have a 4-page pack, show all 4 in your listing
- •Ignore mobile buyers — most Etsy shoppers browse on phones, optimize images accordingly
- •Underprice to get early reviews — start lower, but $1–$2 signals poor quality
- •Copy competitor layouts exactly — differentiate through niche, color, or added pages
✅Do This Instead
- •Export as PDF — GoodNotes opens PDFs as proper notebook templates
- •Keep writing lines light — use #e0e0e0 or lighter so handwriting stands out
- •Include usage instructions — explain how to import into GoodNotes as custom paper
- •Show all pages in listing images — buyers buy what they can see
- •Offer US Letter and A4 variants — captures both North American and international buyers
- •Mention compatible apps — Notability and PDF Expert buyers search too
- •Research keywords before designing — build for demand, not guesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about making and selling GoodNotes templates on Etsy.
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Income results vary based on design quality, niche selection, listing optimization, and marketing effort. GoodNotes template selling on Etsy requires consistent design work and ongoing keyword research. Research your specific niche before investing significant time and resources.
Ready to Make GoodNotes Templates That Sell?
InsightAgent helps you find profitable GoodNotes template keywords, analyze competitor listings, and discover trending niches before they peak — so you design for demand, not guesses.