Which graphic design software should I use?

Creating high-quality artwork is essential for great-looking printed products.

But not everyone has access to expensive design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator — and you don’t need to!

This guide explains why you need design software, your options (both professional and free), and the pros and cons of each to help you choose what’s right for you.

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Why You Need Design Software

✅ To create designs at the right resolution (300dpi recommended)

✅ To export in supported file types (PNG or JPEG)

✅ To remove backgrounds for transparent designs

✅ To position and size artwork for specific products

Even basic design tasks like resizing, cropping, or adding text need some kind of graphics tool.

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Best Professional-Grade Options (Adobe)

✔ Adobe Photoshop

• Industry-standard raster editor.
• Great for detailed photo editing, complex designs, text layout.

✅ Pros:

• Extremely powerful and flexible.
• Excellent transparency handling.
• Widely supported tutorials and templates.

⚠️ Cons:

• Subscription cost.
• Steeper learning curve for beginners.

Link: Adobe Photoshop

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✔ Adobe Illustrator

• Best for vector designs (logos, scalable graphics).
• Ideal if you want artwork that scales without losing quality.

✅ Pros:

• Perfect for clean, crisp lines and shapes.
• Creates files that can be exported at any size.

⚠️ Cons:

• Also subscription-based.
• Not as good for photo-heavy designs.

Link: Adobe Illustrator

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Best Affordable & Free Alternatives

✔ Affinity Designer / Photo

• One-time purchase, no subscription.
• Similar features to Adobe tools.

✅ Pros:

• Cheaper long-term.
• Professional-level features.
• Great for both raster and vector editing.

⚠️ Cons:

• Learning curve still exists.

Link: Affinity Suite

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✔ Photopea (Online, Free/Low-Cost)

• Browser-based Photoshop alternative.
• Opens PSD, AI, and other formats.

✅ Pros:

• Free to use with ads.
• Familiar layout for Photoshop users.
• Supports layers and transparency.

⚠️ Cons:

• Requires internet connection.
• Slightly less powerful than desktop apps.

Link: Photopea

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✔ Canva (Free & Paid Versions)

• Very user-friendly, drag-and-drop.
• Good for text overlays, social graphics.

✅ Pros:

• Extremely easy for beginners.
• Lots of built-in templates.
• Exports high-res PNGs with transparency (Pro version).

⚠️ Cons:

• Limited advanced control.
• Free version may lack export options for transparent PNGs.

Link: Canva

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✔ GIMP (Free & Open Source)

• Desktop app for raster editing.
• Popular Photoshop alternative.

✅ Pros:

• 100% free.
• Supports layers, transparency.
• Reasonably powerful for most tasks.

⚠️ Cons:

• Outdated interface.
• Steeper learning curve.

Link: GIMP

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✔ Inkscape (Free & Open Source)

• Best free alternative for vector graphics.
• Similar to Adobe Illustrator.

✅ Pros:

• Fully free.
• Excellent for logos and scalable designs.

⚠️ Cons:

• Not ideal for photos.
• Interface can be technical.

Link: Inkscape

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Quick Comparison Summary

Software	Type	Cost	Best For	Limitations
Photoshop	Raster	Paid (Subscription)	Photo editing, complex design	Price, learning curve
Illustrator	Vector	Paid (Subscription)	Logos, scalable graphics	Price, not for photos
Affinity Suite	Raster/Vector	One-off payment	Pro features without subscription	Learning curve
Photopea	Raster	Free (ads)	Photoshop-like editing online	Needs internet, ad-supported
Canva	Raster	Free/Paid	Easy text/image layouts	Limited advanced control
GIMP	Raster	Free	Photo editing	Outdated UI, learning curve
Inkscape	Vector	Free	Logos, illustrations	Less suited for photos

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Final Tips for Choosing

✅ For advanced control and regular use: Consider Adobe or Affinity.

✅ For beginners on a budget: Try Canva or Photopea.

✅ For 100% free options: GIMP (raster) or Inkscape (vector).

✅ Always export at 300dpi and use PNG for transparency.

Remember: Great designs = Great products. It’s worth investing a little time in getting your files right.

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✅ Need More Help?

If you’re not sure which tool is best for you, or need help preparing your artwork, contact our team — we’re always happy to advise.