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The best program for designing T-shirts

Author: Anna R., December 06, 2024

The boom in the print-on-demand business model in recent years has created a great opportunity for creatives and aspiring entrepreneurs to create their own designs and turn them into wearable products.But the key to success lies in a professional and appealing design - and this is where choosing the right graphic design program comes into play. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, with the right tool you can create designs that stand out from the crowd. 

In this article we present the best programs that are perfect for Print on Demand Designs Whether you are a free graphics program or a Photoshop alternativeWe have the right recommendation for every requirement and every budget. 

What is important? How to choose the right program

When choosing the best design tool for print on Demand several factors play a decisive role: 

  1. Ease of use: Is the program easy to understand, even for beginners oDoes it offer advanced features for professionals? 
  2. Features: What tools are available? Can you create vector graphics, adjust colors precisely or do pixel-perfect work? 
  3. Price-performance: Is it worth investing in or are there equivalent alternatives to free graphics program? 
  4. print quality: The design should be created in a quality that can also be used on textiles and other printed products looks razor sharp. 
  5. target audience: Is the program suitable for beginners, advanced or is it for professionals designed? 

Canva - The all-rounder for beginners

Canva is an intuitive platform that is especially suitable for beginners The browser-based tool offers a wide selection of templates, fonts and manufacture design elements. 

Advantages:

  • extremely user-friendly
  • free in the basic version
  • many templates specifically for designing T-shirts


Disadvantages:

  • limited customization options
  • no vector graphics


For whom suitable?
Beginners who want to create attractive designs quickly and easily

Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop - The Professional Suite

The Adobe Creative Suitete is the standard for graphic designers. Illustration is perfect for vector graphics, while Photoshop suitable for pixel-based work and photo editing. 

Advantages:

  • comprehensive functions for complex designs
  • high print quality


Disadvantages:

  • expensive subscription model
  • training period required


For whom suitable?
Advanced and professional users who want maximum control over their designs.

ProCreate - The Favorite of iPad Designers

Procreate is one of the best apps for the iPad and offers artistsn a natural and intuitive way of working with a pen like the Apple Pencil. 

Advantages:

  • ideal for hand-drawn designs
  • one-time costs (no subscription)
  • powerful brush tools


Disadvantages:

  • only available for iPads
  • no vector graphics


For whom suitable?
Artists and designers who rely on illustrations. 

GIMP - The free powerhouse

GIMP is an excellent Photoshop alternative and offers many features for Print on Demand Designs completely free. 

Advantages:

  • free open source program
  • many tools for image editing


Disadvantages:

  • pixel-based (not ideal for vector graphics)
  • less user-friendly


For whom suitable?
budget-conscious designers and anyone looking for a free, versatile tool.

Affinity Designer - The flexible alternative

Affinity Designer combines the advantages of vector and pixel editing in one tool and is a inexpensive alternative to the Adobe Suite. 

Advantages:

  • one-time license fee
  • Vector and pixel graphics in one program


Disadvantages:

  • less comprehensive than Adobe Illustrator


For whom suitable?
Advanced and professional users looking for good value for money.

InkScape - Open Source for Vector Graphics

Inkscape is another free graphics program, which specializes in vector graphics. 

Advantages:

  • free and powerful
  • supports SVG files


Disadvantages:

  • not as intuitive as other tools
  • requires some training


For whom suitable?
Beginner and advanced users who want to work with vector graphics. 

CorelDRAW - The Classic

CorelDRAW is a veteran among graphics programs and offers powerful tools for professionals. 

Advantages:

  • extensive functions
  • perfect for print and textile design


Disadvantages:

  • more expensive than many alternatives
  • steep learning curve


For whom suitable?
Advanced users and professionals with high demands on print quality.

Summary and Comparison

Program Type Costs Suitable for Features
Canva
Browser-based
Free / Pro
Beginner
Large selection of templates
Adobe
vector + pixel
Subscription model
Intermediate / Professional
market leader / maximum flexibility
procreation
pixel-based
Single
Ideal for iPad / intuitive UI
GIMP
pixel-based
Free of charge
budget-conscious people
open source / versatile
Affinity Designer
vector + pixel
Single
Advanced
Price-performance ratio
InkScape
vector-based
Free of charge
Beginner
Open-Source / SVG suitable
CorelDRAW
vector + pixel
expensive
professionals
classic professional tool

Conclusion

Choosing the right program to Designing t-shirts depends on your needs, budget and experience level. If you are just starting out, Canva is an easy and free way to get your first Print on Demand Designs Professionals, on the other hand, benefit from Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. And for artists, Procreate offers the ideal platform. 

Our advice: Try out different programs to find the one that best suits your needs. And if you want to focus on the design, remember that you can always hire a professional designer - a worthwhile investment for an outstanding product! 

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