How you can create quality graphics at little or no cost

Image above by Hail State Unis

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Creating quality graphics for your uniform tracker can be a daunting task for someone new to graphic design. There are dozens of programs to choose from, some programs cost hundreds of dollars annually and you might feel that you have to go (back) to school to learn one of these programs. Thankfully for you, we put together this simple list of programs and online editors to help you grow your skills and hopefully save a money, if you’re on a budget.

The industry standard for graphic design is Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) which includes Photoshop and Illustrator. Adobe CC with all its programs cost $53/month, that’s $636/year. The Adobe Photography plan which includes Photoshop is $10/month and the Illustrator plan cost $21/month. Many people getting into graphic design can’t afford these plans or don’t want to pay that much for a hobby they may or may not stick with, which is why we created this list.

Before we get into the list, please remember graphic design, like any new skill, will likely take some time to get the hang of it. If you’re have any trouble picking up any of these programs, you’re likely not alone. They are thousands of tutorials and step-by-step guides on Google, YouTube and online course websites like LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) and Udemy. 

On to the list…

Photoshop Alternatives

• Cheaper Programs
  • Photoshop Elements
    • $100 one-time purchase
    • Lacks many of the advance features of Photoshop CC
    • No updates included each year
  • Affinity Photo
    • $50 one-time purchase for desktop version
    • $20 one-time purchase for iPad version
    • Arguably the best alternative to Photoshop
    • Supports PSD files and more
  • Photo Pos Pro
    • Premium version is $30
    • Great for beginners
    • Can run slow at times
    • Exported file size is limited
• Free Programs
  • GIMP
    • Can open and export PSD files (all features might not be imported)
    • Can be learning curve
    • Sometimes laggy
  • Pixlr x
    • Browser-based (need internet connection to work)
    • Simple to use
    • Limited features
  • Photopea Online Photo Editor
    • Browser-based
    • Supports PSD files
    • Supports raster and vector graphics
    • Lacks advanced features
    • Need to pay to remove ads (or use ad blocker with your browser)
  • Canva
    • Has premium versions
    • More for social media graphics than designing uniforms or other more detailed projects

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Illustrator Alternatives

• Cheaper Programs
  • Affinity Designer
    • $50 one-time purchase for desktop version
    • $20 one-time purchase for iPad version
    • Best alternative to Illustrator
    • Supports SVG, PDF, EPS, JPEG, AI, PSD files and more
  • Gravit Designer
    • $49/year
      • Has limited free version
    • Browser-based
    • Can export SVG, PNG and JPEG files
    • Can work offline
• Free Programs
  • Inkscape
    • Vector based lightweight program
    • Supports AI, SVG, EPS and PDF files
    • Can be slow, laggy
  • Vectr
    • Very simple, easy-to-use
    • Browser-based (need internet connection)
    • Lacks more complex features