While compiling a big roundup post of FAQ planner questions, one question that kept coming up was why don’t you use free software to design printables?
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links I’ll receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) in exchange for referring you.
Why I use Photoshop to design printables
If you don’t have Photoshop, you can purchase and download it here (my affiliate link).
1. Free software are limited
There’s a reason free software is free… it’s not very good. They’re extremely limited in what they can do. For example, in Photoshop I can quickly and easily create an ombre effect (on text, patterns shapes etc.) which you can’t do in other programs.
Just a couple of the many things I’ve made using Photoshop!
- Planner printables
- Party printables
- Classroom printables
- Patterns
- Pattern overlay templates
- Iphone case covers (tutorial coming soon!)
- Computer desktop background / screensaver
- Labels
Related: 50 Things you can make using Photoshop
2. Quick to make minor changes
The reason I’ve been able to make so many printables is because I use templates. I create a template (such as a checklist or a calendar) once, then I just keep re-using that same template. Changing the font, colors, tweaking the size of each section, adding a pattern etc.
Photoshop has numerous tools that speed up your workflow such as the snap to grid function (which automatically centres and aligns things), the ruler tool, actions for automating repetitive processes etc.
Related: Favorite Photoshop keyboard shortcuts (plus free downloadable cheat sheet reference list)
3. Easy to align things
This is the main thing that drives me mental with free software. I use Canva to create blog post images and that’s the only thing I use it for. The main reason being that it’s not very good at aligning things. Sometimes it just won’t centre text properly with an even amount of space between the top and the bottom of the image.
Read more: How to use the align tools in Photoshop (step by step tutorial)
4. Store multiple designs in the one file
I have tens of thousands (possibly hundreds of thousands) of files. Between printables I’ve designed (template file & PDF file), plus the promotion images for my products, photos for the blog etc. so I don’t want hundreds of slightly different templates cluttering up my computer. In Photoshop I can hide and unhide layers. I.e. keep multiple designs in the same file. So when I want to change a template I just duplicate template layers I’ve already made, tweak the font etc. and it creates a new printable in a short amount of time.
5. Easier for making printables that use patterns and clipart
I like COLOR and PATTERNS. Photoshop is the easiest program to use to add these to a printable. I can align clipart and graphics exactly where I want there in a few clicks. Photoshop makes it really easy to choose the order of things with just a click and drag of your mouse (e.g. pattern at the back, clipart at the front etc.).
Related: 25 Products You Can Create With Patterns
Clipping masks are another time saver as I can ‘stack’ multiple colors, patterns etc. turn the layers off and on and quickly compare different option when designing.
See: How to use clipping masks in Photoshop
> Pattern tutorial: How to make a checkerboard pattern in Photoshop (video tutorial)
6. Better image quality
Photoshop is an image program so has a MUCH higher image / file quality than free programs. As a result the printables print more crisp – patterns and fonts are lessy prone to blurry edges. If you’re making printables that you want to sell, it’s extremely unprofessional to use free programs with poor image quality.
7. Easier to make non standard page size printables
If you want to make half size printables, traveller’s notebook size or a printable you want to stick onto the notes page of a planner you already have, then in Photoshop you can quickly resize a template. For example, you can make it at full page size then reduce down to half page size. You don’t need to redesign the printable from scratch – just shrink down the template you’ve already made. If you want to make all of your printables at a non-standard page size, you can create a template at any size you like when you make a new file.
See also: How to create a new file in Photoshop and how to resize (without distorting!)
8. Organized template files
In Photoshop you can organize the design layers into folders. This way I can have the one Photoshop file with have a bunch of different patterns in that one Photoshop file. This makes it easier to find things instead of having tons of Photoshop files (separate ones for each printables) which would also take up a lot of space on your hard-drives.
9. Cheap
Some people flinch at the cost of Photoshop (approx $20 USD / month). To me, it’s money very well spent! I use it almost every day, the time it saves me and the profit that can be made from printables, makes the cost of Photoshop an insignificant expense.
Related: How to download Adobe Photoshop
10. Design and create in the 1 program
I use Photoshop to make patterns. It’s much more convenient to make patterns and printables in the same software – I can quickly copy things between design templates. If I’m making a printable and decide I don’t like the scale of a pattern or want to tweak the colors, I can easily do this within the same software.
>>> Want to learn how to use Photoshop? Visit the free graphic design tutorials library! <<<
Elizabeth says
Have you compared Adobe Spark to Photoshop?
Rachael says
Hi Elizabeth, Adobe Spark is moreso for videos. In Photoshop I can make patterns, graphic templates, printables etc. – it’s an all in one software
Elizabeth says
Ok, thanks Spark advertises that it does “Professional looking graphics, web pages, and videos in minutes” But does’t mention printables, I don’t think they are that different in price, so I only want to learn one program 🙂 Can you do videos in Photoshop?
Fran says
Hi Rachel! I have never used Photoshop but have access to Elements 10 – would this work with your printables course?
Rachael says
Hi Fran, I’ve never used Photoshop Elements before. All of the tutorials were made / filmed in Photoshop. I can’t say for certain if the tutorials will work with Photoshop Elements. The free graphic design tutorials library http://buildabiggeronlinebusiness.teachable.com/p/free-graphic-design-video-tutorials has a number of Photoshop tutorials – I’d recommend trying a few with your software to see if it’s compatible.
Elizabeth says
Hi Rachael,
what about Adobe Illustrator vs PhotoShop?
Rachael says
Hi Elizabeth, I thought someone might ask this question! When I first purchased Photoshop it could only be purchased outright and was a lot cheaper than an Illustrator licence. I did later try Illustrator but found it frustrating to use since I’d become so familiar / quick with Photoshop. I can quickly make patterns and printables all in the one place using Photoshop, so I don’t see the need to pay for Illustrator and have another heavy usage software taking up space and slowing down my computer. Hope this aids your decision making! 🙂
Elizabeth says
actually, I was brain dead, I meant Adobe Spark vs PhotoShop.
have you heard of Adobe Spark?
Diane says
Another reason that photoshop is better than free programs is that you are in control of the licencing. When you use free programs you end up using their “free elements” to design your planner. Which is fine if you are using it for personal use, but if you wanted to sell it, you are bond to their restrictions. This often restricts the number of copies you can sell.
Rachael says
Very true. And if you use their pre-made templates it’ll end up looking the same as everyone else’s