Are PNG Files Good for Printing? [The Definitive Answer]

Are PNG Files Good for Printing? [The Definitive Answer]

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is the preferred file format for graphics, icons, and logos. Its lossless compression style ensures that no quality is lost in the image, no matter how many times you edit and save. The color depth makes images more vibrant and striking, and the option of transparency makes it a great choice for the web, but what about print?

While you can print a PNG, they are not ideal for printing. The primary issue with printing a PNG is the color profile. Most printers use a different color language than PNG images, so printing a PNG may result in colors being skewed from their original look.

There are other reasons PNG isn’t the most suitable file format for printing. Let’s also look at which file formats would work better for the job.

What Makes PNG Files Unsuitable for Printing?

If you are sending an image to a printer, the printer will likely request that you send the file in a certain format that works for them. Print shops will give you this requirement because it will ensure that the product you receive is the quality you’re looking for, and the printing process runs smoothly on their end.

PNG images work on a color profile RBG, while most printers work on CMYK. Different color languages mean that the printer will have to find alternative colors for your image that work in the CMYK family.

The differences may not be drastically noticeable, but a trained eye can catch them, and if the image is for branding, it could be more discernible when placed next to other branded material.

Another reason PNG is not an ideal file format for printing is its file size. While you retain image quality with lossless compression, you compromise with larger file sizes that take up quite a bit of storage space on your hard drive.

Lossless compression retains all metadata; nothing is lost. If printers received hundreds of PNG files to be printed simultaneously, it would take quite a toll on their storage and hard drive performance.

Even if you’re printing from home, you still want to save room on your hard drive and retain the color quality of your graphic. Let’s look at some more suitable file formats for printing.

What File Formats are Good for Printing?

Now that you know PNG may not work for printing your image, especially if you’re sending it off to a printer, let’s look at some acceptable options for at-home and commercial printing.

There are four file formats that are best for printing, and each one is preferred for a certain type of file.

  • JPEG (Images)
  • TIFF (High-Resolution Images)
  • PDF (Most Files)
  • EPS (Large Signs and Banners)

Let’s delve deeper into each of these file formats and find out why they are recommended for their file type.

JPEG for Images

JPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is the preferred file type for images, specifically photos. In fact, most digital cameras will save your photographs as JPEGs automatically. One of the benefits of JPEG images is the small file size due to the lossy compression, so it’s ideal for sending over email to a printer.

The only downside to JPEG is that some of the metadata will be lost during compression and will not be recovered, so the image has a slight loss of quality. While the loss may be evident on a single, solid color logo, it’s hardly noticeable in photographs, so it is recommended.

TIFF for High-Resolution Images

TIFF, short for Tagged Image File Format, makes up for the lack of image quality that comes with JPEGs and can also be used for photographs. The benefit to TIFF is that the format can be saved in various color formats, like CMYK and forms of compression.

While the lossless compression may result in a larger file size, you may be able to negotiate the file size with a different form of compression that won’t result in as much metadata loss as a JPEG.

PDF for Most Files

PDF, short for Portable Document Format, is a great choice for files that are not strictly image-based but may contain a substantial amount of text, like newsletters, brochures, flyers, etc. The benefit of PDF is that it works across publishing applications, so you can be sure that the receiver of your document will open up the file and see it as it was intended. It’s also perfectly compatible with multi-page formatting, especially for printing.

EPS for Large Signs and Banners

EPS, short for Encapsulated PostScript, is the preferred choice for larger projects like signs and banners. It is a vector-based format, so it means that images are scalable without losing quality. The ability to be scaled up and down in size gives you flexibility with the number of projects you can achieve with one file, whether a business card, lawn sign, or building banner.

EPS files are created and edited in design programs like Adobe Illustrator, so an EPS file may not open in all applications and viewers. Still, most printers will accept these files and be able to open them without an issue.

Other File Formats Printers Will Accept

Here is a list of programs whose native file formats are used for printing. Check with your local printer on the version of the program that works:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe InDesign CC
  • Adobe Illustrator

Some of the lesser-known file formats native to certain applications and software are still accepted when sending your file to be printed—file formats like PSD, which is the default for Photoshop.

Conclusion

While PNG may not be what you’re looking for when it comes to printing, there are a variety of other file formats that will work for your needs. No matter the project, you’re sure to find a format on this list that will fit right.

Do Graphic Designers Still Use Illustrator?

The most iconic name in graphic design is a software program that changed the landscape of the digital art medium forever – Adobe Illustrator, or simply, Illustrator, for short. Since its introduction in 1987, Illustrator has become synonymous with computerized tools for creating, editing, and finishing digital graphics. It enabled designers to put away their pens and brushes, but do they still use Illustrator today?

Not only do graphic designers still use Illustrator but its stronghold as one of the most popular and powerful design programs remains strong. This is particularly true when it comes to projects involving vector graphics because of their unlimited scalability and resolution-independent qualities.

Illustrator has revolutionized the way that computers are used in graphic design and it has done so with levels of innovation and functionality that to this day are unmatched. Do graphic designers still use Illustrator? More than 30 years after its release, Illustrator remains the go-to platform for graphic designers and the reasons are below, so keep reading to learn why Illustrator isn’t going anywhere.

Do Graphic Designers Still Use Illustrator?

Illustrator was formally released to the public by Adobe in 1987, and since that time, graphic designers have used this iconic program for digital art campaigns that run the entire gamut of creative endeavors. For projects small and large, Illustrator’s powerful tools and intuitive interface empower designers to convert concepts into highly-polished finished products.

Here is a sampling of the incredible diversity of projects that Illustrator is capable of delivering:

  • Engineering CAD designs (two-dimensional)
  • Apparel design, including t-shirts and shoes
  • Product labels
  • Product packaging design and layout
  • Printed materials like books and magazines
  • Design of personal electronic devices like watches
  • Iconography for all types of devices including tablets and smartphones
  • Corporate branding and identity including logos, sales and marketing materials, and advertising
  • Illustrations, comics, and graphic novels (manga)
  • Public-facing assets like signage, posters, and billboards

The list of digital works that have been created through Illustrator is far too extensive to detail in its entirety. Suffice to say that there is not much in the digital realm of graphic design that Illustrator cannot do, which is why it remains one of the most popular and heavily relied-upon graphic design platforms today. This is particularly true when it comes to matters involving vector graphics.

Here’s Why Illustrator Is Still Used by Graphic Designers

In the world of graphic design, there are essentially two types of formats: raster graphics and vector graphics. Raster files are created from tiny blocks known as pixels. The more pixels in an image, the finer its resolution and the higher quality that it appears to viewers. This format is ideal for visual content requiring high resolution, vibrant colors, detailed effects like shading, and nuanced lighting.

In contrast, vector files like those created through Illustrator, are created through lines, curves, and shapes that are plotted via points on a grid. Instead of pixels, vector images are based on mathematical equations and they are responsible for creating every aspect of a vector file’s visual content including outlines, coloring, and shading.

These technical differences between vector files and raster files are what differentiate Illustrator from other graphic design programs and make it such an indispensable asset for graphic designers, even now, several decades after it was first introduced.

Illustrator Is the Premier Platform for Vector Files

Where Illustrator is in its best element is in the creation, editing, and final proofing of vector files. While vector images may not offer the same level of high-end detail as raster files when it comes to image resolution and subtle color and light gradations (think photographic-level quality), Illustrator knocks it out of the park when it comes to scalability and versatility.

Here’s what this means and how graphic designers are the beneficiaries:

  • Because vector files are created through math and geometry rather than pixels, they are infinitely scalable, meaning that they can be enlarged or shrunk down without any loss of resolution and image quality; in contrast, raster images will become blurry and grainy if enlarged significantly beyond their original size, at which point individual pixels can be seen as blocks.
  • Because vector files are essentially resolution-independent, the same image created in Illustrator can be used on a medium as small as a smartwatch or as massive as an urban billboard without any loss of fidelity whatsoever.

Thus, Illustrator affords graphic designers of all skill levels the ability to create images that can be transitioned seamlessly between different media and platforms such as a company logo going from a business card to a t-shirt to a poster to a giant wall mural.

Best of all, the fidelity of Illustrator files remains the same regardless of size or scale and these image files are equally adaptable to traditional media (like printing on paper) and digital formats (like websites).

Illustrator Offers Powerful Tools

In addition to the output of resolution-independent vector files, Illustrator also has a built-in suite of powerful graphic design tools including:

  • Freehand drawing with the aid of digital pens, pencils, and paintbrushes
  • Coloring tools that enable color mixing, shading, filling, gradients, and other image-enhancing effects
  • Layers enable various components of an image to be separated from one another to allow for editing of one element without affecting the others
  • Snapping utilizes anchor points and grid-mapping of an image to allow for easy and flawless alignment of elements like lines and shapes
  • Shape tools allow for effortless creation of geometric objects and manipulation of just about any element in an image

The current version of Illustrator also takes advantage of cloud storage to store personalized tools and project-specific materials like custom color palettes, special fonts, style guides, and other graphic design implements.

Illustrator Remains the Top Choice Among Graphic Designers

As the top-rated choice in industry circles for vector-based graphic design programs, Illustrator’s prowess extends beyond illustrations, drawings, and images. Illustrator is also a robust platform for transforming text into visually captivating elements in their own right, making this program a particularly powerful tool for creating websites, apps, and other digitally consumed content.

Conclusion

For as long as Illustrator has been around it has been the top choice among graphic designers for creating digital artwork, particularly vector-based files. Over 30 years after it burst onto the scene and transformed the graphic design industry, Illustrator is showing no signs of letting up and remains one of the most popular and powerful graphic design programs ever created.

Can Arial Font Be Used for Commercial Use?

Fonts are a critical element of any design, and the choice of font can make or break a project. Arial is a widely used sans-serif typeface that has been included with versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system since 1987. It is a versatile font that can be used for various projects, but there are some restrictions on its use.

Arial fonts can be used for commercial use if you have a proprietary license to do so. Arial is a Monotype typeface with which the Monotype Imaging corporation holds all copyright and trademark rights. By purchasing a Microsoft product, you purchase the license to use that particular typeface.

If you are using Arial for commercial purposes and do not have a valid license, you may violate copyright law and be subject to legal action. If you’re not sure whether or not you have a valid license, contact Monotype Imaging or an attorney specializing in intellectual property law.

» MORE: What Happens If You Use A Free Font For Commercial Use?

What Are the Restrictions for the Commercial Use of Arial Font?

Arial is a proprietary font, meaning that it can only be used with the permission of its owner, Microsoft. If you plan to use Arial for commercial purposes, it is important to ensure that you have a valid license to get around any restrictions.

The restrictions for the use of Arial font are the use without the purchase of a license from Microsoft that allows for commercial use.  If you illegally obtained or are using a pirated version of Arial, you may also be subject to legal penalties.

To use Arial font for commercial purposes, you will need to purchase a license from Microsoft. The price of the license will depend on how you plan to use the font. For example, if you want to use Arial for a website, you will need to purchase a Webfont license.

Commercial use is defined as any revenue-generating activity. This includes, but is not limited to, selling products or services, advertising, and sponsorships. If you are using Arial to create a product that will be sold, you will need to purchase a Commercial Font license.

» MORE: 7 Reasons Why Arial Font Is So Popular

When Can Arial Font Be Used for Free?

Using a font like Arial for free is only possible in very specific circumstances. If you’re unsure of whether or not your circumstance requires a license, there are multiple options that you can choose to avoid any confusion or legal trouble.

There are a few circumstances in which you can use Arial font for free. If you are using Arial for personal use, such as in a document or presentation, you do not need to purchase a license. Arial can also be used for educational purposes without a license.

However, if you are using Arial for commercial purposes, you will need to purchase a license. To get around the restrictions of use for Arial fonts, you can look for free alternatives that are similar. Some examples of free fonts that are similar to Arial include Helvetica, Verdana, and Tahoma.

When choosing a font for your project, make sure to read the licensing agreement before use. This will help you avoid any legal issues down the road.

» MORE: Is Helvetica Font Free for Commercial Use?

Fonts That Can Be Used for Commercial Purposes

When it comes to fonts, there are many options available for commercial use. Choosing the right font for your project can be a challenge, but there are plenty of great choices out there.

There are many free and paid alternatives to Arial fonts that can be used for commercial purposes. Below is a list of some popular fonts that are free for commercial use and can be used in place of Arial.

  • Arrow
  • Chanticleer Roman NF Regular
  • Bona Nova
  • Amethysta Regular
  • Old Standard TT

These fonts have a free commercial license and can be used similarly to Arial. There are also multiple sites, programs, and web creation tools that provide access to various fonts for commercial use. When in doubt, always check the licensing agreement before using a font for your project.

Free Fonts for Website Creation

When it comes to commercial website creation, there are plenty of hosting platforms that offer free web fonts that can be used. Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly all offer a variety of fonts and templates that can be used for commercial purposes.

When creating a website, it’s important to consider the overall aesthetic of the site. The font that you choose should complement the overall design of the site. These templates include fonts that are similar to Arial and can be used for commercial purposes.

Programs/Applications With Free Fonts

Google Fonts is a popular option that offers a wide variety of fonts that can be used for both personal and commercial projects. Google Fonts offers a collection of free fonts that can be used for website creation and other commercial purposes. There are over 800 fonts available, all of which can be used for commercial purposes.

Placeit is a site that provides multiple downloadable templates with unique fonts available for commercial use. Placeit offers a wide range of templates, including logos, business cards, and social media graphics.

Adobe Fonts is a subscription service that gives users access to over 16,000 fonts. Adobe Fonts can be used for both personal and commercial projects. The subscription allows unlimited downloads of fonts for use in multiple programs, such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

» MORE: Can Placeit Be Used for Commercial Use?

Purchasing A License

If you want to use Arial font for commercial purposes, you will need to purchase a license from Microsoft. The price of the license will depend on how you plan to use the font. For example, if you want to use Arial for a website, you will need to purchase a Webfont license.

How Do I Know If a Font Is Free for Commercial Use?

When looking for fonts, always check the licensing agreement before use. This will help you avoid any legal issues down the road. If you’re unsure about the licensing agreement, you can contact the font creator or publisher directly.

To know if a font is free for commercial use, Sites will usually indicate whether fonts include a license for commercial usage. Check to see if any font is licensed when you download it. If they don’t include a licensing agreement in the downloads area or within the ZIP file, beware.

Conclusion

When it comes to fonts, there are many factors to consider. The type of project you’re working on, the overall aesthetic you’re going for, and the licensing agreement are all important things to keep in mind. With so many great fonts available for commercial use, there’s no need to limit yourself to Arial. Experiment with different fonts and find the perfect one for your project.

How Long Does It Take to Design a Book Cover?

Graphic designers often get asked how long it will take to design a book cover. While the answer can vary depending on the project, here are some general guidelines to help you estimate how long your book cover design might take.

A simple book cover can usually be designed in a day or two, whereas a complex cover may take a week or more. Simple covers may only require a title and author name, while complex covers can involve illustrations, multiple text elements, and die-cuts.

Of course, some book covers may require more time – especially if they are particularly intricate or detailed. And in some cases, a client may need revisions or changes made to the design, which can also take additional time. This article will look at the process of cover creation and how each element can affect the timeline for a designer and author.

How Do Graphic Designers Create Book Covers?

Designing a book cover is both an art and a science. A good book cover should be eye-catching and visually appealing, but it also needs to convey important information about the book’s content.

Graphic designers typically start by a synopsis of the book to get a feel for the story. They then brainstorm ideas for the cover, sketching out potential designs. Once a design is chosen, the designer will create a more polished version using computer software.

Some book covers are more complex than others and may require additional elements such as illustrations or photos. In these cases, the designer may work with other artists or photographers to get the right visuals for the cover.

Factors That Affect Book Cover Creation Timelines

There are multiple types and styles of a book cover that affect how long it will take to design. Below are some of the main factors that can influence timelines:

  • The type of book cover (hardcover, paperback, etc.)
  • The size and dimensions of the book
  • The number of pages in the book
  • The amount of text and other elements on the cover
  • How many colors are used in the design
  • Whether or not illustrations or other graphics are used
  • The level of detail in the design
  • The number of revisions or changes required

Depending on the factors above, a book cover can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks to design. If you’re working with a professional graphic designer, they will be able to give you a more accurate estimate based on your specific project.

Type of Book Cover

There are three main types of book covers: paperbacks, hardcovers, and dust jackets.

Paperback covers are usually made of cardstock or paperboard and are typically glued to the book’s spine. Hardcover covers are generally made of heavier board and are often covered in cloth or leather. Dust jackets are usually made of paper and are wrapped around the book’s cover.

Book covers can also be classified by their construction: some are “ French fold,” meaning they have two folds that create four panels; others are “single fold,” with just one fold that creates two panels.

Book Cover Style

There are many different book cover styles, and some can increase the timeline for the designer to create them. Here are some of the most common:

  • Photo covers – Photo covers typically feature a close-up image of the book’s subject matter. They can be effective in conveying the mood or tone of the book.
  • Illustrated covers – Illustrated covers are often used for children’s books, fantasy novels, or other fiction. They usually feature an illustration of the book’s main characters or scene. Illustrated covers will generally take more than ten working days to complete, depending on the complexity of the illustration.
  • Text-only covers – As the name suggests, text-only covers feature only text – typically the book’s title and author name. They are commonly used for non-fiction books, self-help books, or anything else where the book’s subject matter is the main focus. These covers will typically take only two or three days to complete.
  • Minimalist covers – Minimalist covers are simple designs that feature only a few elements. They are often used for novels, poetry collections, or other books where the focus is on the book’s words, not its visuals. These covers will often take the least amount of time at five working days or less.

Elements of Book Covers

Depending on the number of various elements the designer must include, book covers take varying amounts of time to create. Some common elements that may be featured on a book cover are:

  • An image or illustrations
  • A description of the book’s contents
  • Endorsements or reviews
  • Praise for the author
  • Award information

Some book covers are made using templates, clip art, or stock images. These can be quicker to design than a completely custom cover but may look less professional. Using pre-made elements may be the best option if you’re on a tight timeline or working with a limited budget.

Most book covers can be designed within a few days to a week. It depends on various factors, including the size and complexity of the book cover, the artist’s experience and skill level, and the client’s specific instructions.

Tools Designers Can Utilize to Help Speed Up a Book Cover Creation Process

Because creating a book cover usually requires the use of graphic design software, certain tools and actions help speed up the process for designers. If you want to design a book cover yourself, there are a few tools that can help speed up the process:

Book Cover Templates

Placeit is a free online design platform that’s simple to use. It offers a wide variety of templates for different types of book covers and tools for adding text, images, and effects.

Many book cover designers begin with book cover templates. While this doesn’t provide a completely custom design, it can be a helpful starting point that can save time.

Graphic Design Software

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are industry-standard graphic design software programs. They’re both fairly complex, but there are several online tutorials and resources that can help you learn how to use them.

Actionable Tips to Help You Design a Book Cover Faster

Designing a book cover can be challenging for both the designer and the author. If you’re a book author, you can help speed up the process by being prepared to provide clear and concise instructions to your designer. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be for them to create a cover that you’re happy with.

For designers, there are multiple ways to speed up your design process and still meet all of the author’s criteria.

  1. Keep it simple – When it comes to book covers, less is often more. A complex design can be overwhelming and difficult to read, so try to stick to a simple layout with a limited number of elements.
  2. Use typography – The typeface you choose for your book cover can greatly impact its overall look and feel. When selecting a font, be sure to choose one that’s easily readable and appropriate for the book’s genre.
  3. Use color wisely – The colors you use on your book cover can also affect its overall appearance. When choosing colors, consider the book’s genre, target audience, and any existing branding guidelines.
  4. Consider the spine – Don’t forget about the spine! When designing a book cover, be sure to leave enough space for the text that will appear on the spine.
  5. Use high-quality images – If you’re using images on your book cover, use high-quality ones. Blurriness or pixelation will make your cover look unprofessional.

Conclusion

Designing a book cover can be a time-consuming process, but there are ways to speed up the process. By using templates, graphic design software, and typography, you can create a professional-looking book cover in a shorter amount of time. Keep in mind that the complexity of the design and the number of elements you use will also affect the amount of time it takes to design a book cover.

How Much Should a Graphic Designer Charge for a Flyer?

Flyers are a common and effective marketing tool for small businesses, but their success depends on many factors – including the quality of the design. A poorly designed flyer will not only be ineffective, but it can also reflect badly on your business. On the other hand, an expertly designed flyer can grab attention, convey important information, and generate interest in your products or services.

A graphic designer should charge between $50 and $200 per hour for a simple one-sided flyer. The price of designing a flyer can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the experience of the designer.

Of course, the final cost will also depend on factors such as the number of revisions requested, the time frame given, and whether the client is providing their own content or if the designer needs to create it from scratch. This article will cover the flyer design process and how graphic designers may charge for creating different flyers.

How Do Graphic Designers Create Fliers?

The first step in creating an effective flyer is understanding the client’s needs. What is the purpose of the flyer? Who is the target audience? Once the designer has a clear understanding of the goal, they can begin to conceptualize a design that will achieve it.

After the initial consultation, the designer will create a rough draft of the flyer. This will be a basic layout of the text and images and is typically done in black and white. Once the client has approved the layout, the designer will begin to add color, typography, and other graphic elements.

The final step is to print the flyer or deliver it to the client in digital form. Depending on the agreement, the designer may also be responsible for distributing the flyer.

What Tools Do Designers Use to Create Fliers?

Creating a flyer usually requires the use of graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. These programs allow designers to create layouts, add text and images, and play with different color schemes until they find the perfect look for the flyer.

Designers typically use vector-based software such as Adobe Illustrator to create flyers. This type of software allows designers to create images that can be scaled to any size without losing quality.

Photoshop may also be used to create flyers, but it is not as common because it is primarily a raster-based program. This means that images created in Photoshop will become pixelated when they are enlarged. Designers may also use stock photos or illustrations to save time and money. However, it’s important to make sure that these photos are high quality and fit the overall tone of the flyer.

Designing a flyer comes with costs for a graphic designer’s time, as well as the printing costs. The time it takes to design a flyer will depend on its complexity. A simple one-sided flyer can usually be designed in an hour or two, while a more complex design may take several hours or even days. The price of designing a flyer will vary depending on the designer’s experience and the complexity of the project.

As for printing, the cost will depend on the number of flyers being printed and the quality of the paper. For a simple one-sided flyer, the average cost is between $0.10 and $0.25 per flyer. Higher quality paper and more complex designs will cost more to print.

Where to Find a Designer For Flyer Design

If you’re looking for a graphic designer to help with your flyer design, there are a few ways to find someone.

Freelance Graphic Designers On Fiverr, Upwork, etc.

One option is to use a freelancer marketplace such as Fiverr or Upwork. These sites allow you to post your project and receive bids from freelance designers. Another option is to use a local print shop or design studio. Many of these businesses have their own in-house designers who can help with your project.

The best way to find a designer is to ask for recommendations from friends, family, or other businesses. Once you’ve found a few designers that you like, be sure to check out their portfolios and read reviews before hiring anyone.

Graphic Design Agencies

In-house graphic designers that work within an agency will likely have a higher hourly rate than freelance designers. However, agencies typically offer discounts for bulk orders, so it’s worth considering if you need multiple flyers designed. These agencies typically have a team of designers that can help with your project. The downside is that they can be more expensive than freelancers or print shops.

Additional Tools for Flyer Design

There are some tools that make flyer design a more simple process, including templates, stock photos, and more. Microsoft Word offers a variety of flyer templates that can be used to create a professional-looking flyer. Placeit is a free online design platform that’s popular with small businesses and individuals. It offers a wide variety of templates for flyers, as well as other types of designs.

Stock photos are particularly useful for flyer design because they can be used to add color and interest without taking up too much space. iStock and Shutterstock are two popular sites that offer royalty-free stock photos. Printing services may also offer design templates that can be used to create a flyer. Vistaprint, for example, offers a variety of templates that can be customized with your own images and text.

Higher quality paper and more complex designs will cost more to print. When choosing a designer, be sure to ask for recommendations and check out their portfolios before hiring anyone. Agencies typically have a team of designers that can help with your project, but they can be more expensive than freelancers or print shops. If you’re on a tight budget, there are some free online design platforms that offer a wide variety of flyer templates.

Conclusion

When it comes to designing a flyer, there are many options available. The price of designing a flyer will depend on the complexity of the project and the designer’s experience. Printing costs will also vary depending on the number of flyers being printed and the quality of the paper.

The most important thing is to make sure that the flyer is effective in conveying the message that you want to communicate. Keep in mind the purpose of the flyer, as well as your target audience. Use high-quality images and make sure the text is easy to read. And finally, don’t forget to proofread the flyer before printing it!

Can You Use Canva Fonts for Commercial Use?

Creativity has no limits with Canva, and anyone who uses Canva for commercial purposes knows that creating commercial material requires licensing some fonts for commercial use. So using Canva fonts for commercial use is quite common.

In short, you can use some, but not all, Canva fonts for commercial use. Some fonts on Canva “Free and Pro editions” are free to use with commercial rights, and some are not. It is up to the creator to check all font licenses. 

Since the font creator owns fonts, Canva is limited to issuing commercial use rights only for fonts that Canva has created. However, all fonts have different licensing requirements governed by their end-user agreements. Therefore, although Canva provides access to these fonts, they do not have control over the licensing use of the fonts. 

Free Stock Media Might Not Be Free For Commercial Use

Canva’s terms of use state directly that the user is responsible for obtaining commercial licenses. In addition, Canva discloses that Canva does not cover the use of any of the free material outside of its software. 

Some Free Well Known Commercial Fonts on Canva Include:

  • Arrow
  • Bona Nova
  • Old Standard TT
  • Modern Sans
  • Merge
  • Teen Regular
  • Kong Quest
  • Don Graffiti
  • Oldies Cartoon
  • Allura

Canva also states in its free user licensing agreement that if you receive a legal notice, you must stop using said materials (including fonts) immediately and report it to Canva! 

Canva Cannot Issue Legal Rights to Use any Media Commercially.

Canva is a creating platform, and although it does create designs for commercial use, it may own the rights; however, only the creator of the work can re-issue a commercial use license. As long as Canva created the font, they can set the use rights for the font. 

Check The Fonts License Through A Search Engine

Typing in the font name into the search bar on your search engine will bring up references to the licensing information on the font. For instance, if you search Neue Machina Ultra Bold, you will see that it is not commercially licensed without paying a one hundred and eighty dollar fee for the use license, although the font is part of the Canva free use agreement. 

Google has A Ton of Free Fonts Available on Canva!

Canva uses fonts from many sources, and Google Fonts just happens to be one of them. Any font that is part of google’s open use font software license is free to use commercially. However, you should still read the licensing information to understand precisely what commercial activities are allowed and not allowed with the font. 

A License is Needed To Use Any Font, Free or Not

U.S Copyright law has a gray area for typefaces and what is allowed for commercial use. Technically, Typefaces are not covered under U.S. Copyright law, but the artistic creations of an artist or the software the typeface uses are protected. Thus, you need a license to use the font if it is not in the public domain or available commercially. 

Creating Your Own Font Will Save You Money

The main benefit to creating a unique font for a brand is that no one else is using the font, nor can they. Netflix Sans is a font only Netflix can use because they created it and own the rights to the typeface. 

These applications can help with creating a new font:

  • Adobe illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Fontlab
  • Birdfont

Copyright content claims are a thing of the past after creating your font for commercial use. 

Royalty-Free and Commercial use Are Very Different

A Royalty-free license means that you can use the digital asset without paying any royalties to the original creator. Canva has several of these designs and elements available for any unique design. Most Royalty-free designs are perfect for social media or reproduced images or fonts. A commercial use license is usually called a re-sale extended license or can be industry-specific depending on the font used for the commercial project. 

Commercial use licenses cover many different aspects of commercial use. But, almost always, the trademarking of another’s work is prohibited without permission. For example, although trademarking the logo in its entirety may still be legal, trademarking the font would not be permitted. In most cases, Canva fonts are okay to put on sold products (so long as you create the design in Canva’s software) but cannot be used for developing or trademarking logos. 

Using Canva Pro Element Fonts are Okay for Commercial Use

There has been speculation about Canva’s Pro element features (including fonts) being available for commercial use. Fonts are in their category as far as design creation is concerned. 

Technically using the elements that have been used through Canva Pro should not yield copyright infringement claims unless the font’s license is specified as not available for commercial use. Avoid significant issues, and check the font licensing requirements before using the design commercially. 

Where To Get 100% Commercially Usable Fonts

Canva is such a large graphic design library that some of their fonts are not commercially usable. However, there are some graphic design library’s that only include commercially usable fonts and graphics.

Placeit.net is one of the library’s that includes all commercially usable fonts. This way you don’t have to worry about accidentally using a font that doesn’t have commercial usage rights. Using Placeit for your fonts and graphics will give you peace of mind knowing everything is 100% commercially usable.

Canva Fonts are Okay for Use in Some Commercial Areas

In conclusion, Canva fonts, free or premium, are okay to use in most social media productions or print on demand products. The gray area comes in mass-producing (over 250,000 units of a single design) or when attempting to trademark a logo. As long as the font is licensed for commercial use, you can use the font in Canva for these purposes. 

How Much Should You Charge for a Movie Cover Design?

As a freelance graphic designer, you may wonder how much you should charge to design a movie cover. After all, movie covers are some of the films’ most important marketing materials. They need to be eye-catching and convey the key messages of the movie in order to attract potential viewers.

You should charge between $85 and $1000 to design a movie cover based on your experience, the scope of the project, how many different versions of the cover will be needed, and if additional marketing materials are needed, such as posters or billboards.

Freelance graphic designers on Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs charge anywhere an average of $85 per hour for a simple movie cover design, while those with more experience charge around much more. This article will explore how much you should charge for designing a movie cover.

How to Charge for Movie Cover Design

To come up with an accurate quote for designing a movie cover, you need to take the following into account:

Your Experience

Experience is one of the biggest factors that will affect how much you can charge for designing a movie cover. If you have a lot of experience working with film companies or on other high-profile projects, then you’ll be able to command a higher price. However, if you’re just starting out, then you may need to lower your rates in order to compete with other designers.

The Scope Of The Project

The scope of the project will also affect your price. If the client only needs a single version of the cover, then you can charge less than if they need multiple versions (e.g., for different international markets). If the cover is needed on a hurried timeline, then you can also charge more.

How Many Different Versions Of The Cover You Need

As mentioned above, if the client needs multiple versions of the cover (e.g., for different international markets), then you can charge more. This is because designing multiple versions takes more time and effort than designing just one.

If Additional Marketing Materials Are Needed

Designing posters or other marketing materials will allow you to charge more because the project will take more of your time. Movie posters, billboard designs, and even social media ads are all potential marketing materials that you can design once you’ve designed the cover.

Your Costs

Your costs, such as for software or other tools, will also need to be factored into your price. Make sure to add these costs into your quote so that you’re not losing money on the project.

When quoting a price for designing a movie cover, be sure to include the cost of any revisions that may be needed. The client may want to make changes to the design after seeing it in person, or they may want a completely different design altogether. Include at least two rounds of revisions in your quote so that you’re covered if the client isn’t happy with the first design.

Where to Offer Movie Cover Design Services

Whether you’re working as a freelance designer or you’re part of a design agency, there are many different places where you can offer your movie cover design services.

Freelance Designers on Fiverr, Placeit, Upwork, etc.

Fiverr is a popular online marketplace for freelancers, including graphic designers and other creative professionals who offer their services for prices determined by themselves.

On Fiverr, the average price for a movie cover design is $50, although some designers charge as much as $500. The prices vary depending on the designer’s experience and the scope of the project.

Placeit is worth mentioning as a unique design software where you can customize templates to create designs, including movie covers. You can sign up for a free account and use the templates to create designs for your paying clients.

Upwork is another online marketplace for freelancers, similar to Fiverr. However, Upwork has a more sophisticated pricing system, with prices ranging from $20/hour to $150/hour.

Design Agencies

Design agencies are companies that offer design services for hire. They typically have a team of designers who work on projects for their clients.

Design agencies generally charge more than freelance designers because they have overhead costs and they need to make a profit. However, they can also offer a higher level of service and more expertise.

The average price for a movie cover design from a design agency is $500, although some agencies charge as much as $5,000. Working for a design agency is often the best option for designers who want to work on high-budget projects.

Local Designers

There may also be local designers in your area who offer their services. To find them, you can search online or ask around at your local movie theater.

Prices from local designers can vary widely, so it’s important to get a quote from each one before you decide to hire them.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how much to charge for movie cover design, you can start offering your services to clients. Remember to consider all of the factors we’ve discussed, such as the scope of the project and your costs, when quoting a price.

Is GIMP Good Enough to Use? [The Facts Explained]

In this digital age, photo manipulation and graphic design software are in high demand. However, not everyone has hundreds of dollars to shell out each year on paid programs. For this reason, many people consider turning to free software, such as GIMP.

Overall, GIMP is a high-quality image editing program. You’ll find many of the same tools in GIMP that you’d find in Adobe Photoshop, and it works well with all types of images. However, user support is limited and features are lower-quality than those on high-end products.

Below, we’ll discuss both the high points and downsides of this free software. Keep reading to learn more!

Is GIMP Good Enough?

GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a free, open-source photo editing and graphic design program, and a popular alternative to paid programs like Adobe Photoshop.

GIMP has become one of the top picks for free image manipulation and graphic design software. It offers a full array of professional-quality features, including:

  • Filters
  • Layers
  • Customizable brushes
  • Automatic enhancement tools

There is a very active community of GIMP contributors, and the program is constantly being updated. Whether you’re a photographer who needs to retouch photos, a graphic designer, or a digital artist, you’ll likely find that GIMP is a great alternative to more expensive image manipulation applications.

Pros and Cons of Using GIMP

Some people love GIMP, while others prefer to use higher-end software. Whether or not GIMP will be good enough for you to use depends heavily on what you’re looking for out of a photo manipulation software.

To make the decision easier for you, we’ll now discuss some of the pros and cons of using GIMP as your primary software.

Pros of Using GIMP

Using GIMP to edit photos, build graphic designs, or create digital art comes with many benefits. Some of the things users love most about this software are:

  1. Plentiful tools
  2. The free interface
  3. Intuitive user controls

Below, we’ll highlight what makes these features so great.

1. Plentiful Tools

GIMP provides users with all the tools they need to create and manipulate images and graphics. Although the software is free, the tools are anything but low quality. GIMP’s brush-based tools are incredibly customizable and work on even the highest-resolution images out there.

You can retouch, crop, and denoise images, even adjust colors and add gradients if you wish. With layer masks, filters, and animation tools available, you can even create your own GIFs with this free software!

2. The Free Interface

The factor that draws people to GIMP in the first place is undoubtedly its free interface. While most photo editing software is purchased on a subscription basis, GIMP is completely free and open-source for all.

There’s no free trial and no freemium-locked features. All you have to do is download the software to your computer, and you can use all it has to offer completely free for life. Whether you’re using it for personal or commercial purposes, you’ll never have to pay a cent for GIMP.

3. Intuitive User Controls

Compared to other software, GIMP is relatively intuitive and easy to learn. You’ll probably have to mess around with the software for a little while before you understand how exactly everything works, but GIMP has always been easy for even beginners to pick up. And, with the single-window mode now set as the default configuration, it’s never been easier to understand.

Cons of Using GIMP

Although GIMP is an excellent choice for some, not everyone chooses it as their go-to program. Some of the things that draw people away from GIMP include:

  1. No tutorials
  2. Lack of user support
  3. Lower-quality features

Below is a more in-depth look at some things to consider before downloading GIMP.

1. No Tutorials

Most photo editing programs give you some kind of welcome screen or tutorial when you first open it. However, GIMP doesn’t offer anything like this. You’ll be thrown immediately into the software and need to rely on yourself and online tutorials to figure out how to use it.

2. Lack of User Support

Professional programs like Photoshop and Affinity have dedicated support teams to answer user questions. However, GIMP does not. They even state on their Contact page that they may not be able to answer all the emails they receive. If you’re having a problem or need a question answered, you’ll typically have to do your own research.

3. Lower-Quality Features

Although GIMP does offer plentiful features that allow you to easily manipulate photos and images, they aren’t as high-quality as those you’ll find with paid software. The layer-based edits in particular are limited, and most professional users find that GIMP doesn’t meet their efficiency needs.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for free photo editing software, GIMP is one of the best choices. Whether you’re looking to retouch photos, create digital art, or do graphic design, it offers most of the features you need to do it well. However, keep in mind that it is more limited than paid software, both functionally and support-wise.

How Much Should You Charge for a Sticker Design?

Stickers are fun to make. If you know how to create unique designs, you can print them as stickers through various websites and sell them to paying customers. As a new seller, you might wonder – how much should you charge for a sticker design? What is the ideal price to settle on for your new endeavor?

There is a formula to find an excellent sticker price. Divide the total cost of the stickers by the stickers to find the price for each sticker. For example, if it costs $200 and you make 200 stickers, you come to $1. Now build in a profit margin to each sticker of 50 cents or more for your time and design experience.

Read on to learn more about picking the best price for your sticker design. It’s your creation, so you should select a price that will work for you. Let’s get started.

What is the Best Price for Sticker Design?

The best price point for a sticker design is anything under a few dollars. It depends on a few factors, but even complex stickers shouldn’t sell for too much money. This way, people will buy multiple stickers rather than invest in just one. Most people want to invest several stickers at once, not just one.

A sweet spot for sticker prices is $1.00-$3.00 per sticker. The price depends on a few factors, but most sticker costs shouldn’t rise above this point. You want to charge enough to make a profit, but not so much that people will take their business elsewhere. 

It’s up to you to determine the ideal price for your stickers. We’ll talk next about some factors that can change the cost of your sticker design.

What Factors Can Impact Price?

Several factors might have an impact on the price. It’s critical to consider these before selecting the cost to get the best income for your hard work.

Some factors to consider include:

  • The cost of materials
  • The time it took to create the design
  • The size of the stickers

These can shift the cost.

You deserve compensation for the design you created. Don’t sell yourself short – charge customers a price that fits the work, the size, and the materials you paid for to complete the endeavor. There’s lots to think about in this area.

Practice Makes Perfect

It’s difficult to determine the ideal price until you are actually in the world selling your stickers. The best way to figure out cost is by setting up a stand and making observations. You can play with price points on various sell dates to determine which price point attracts the most customers.

It might seem tricky to find the right point, but you’ll get there. There’s lots to consider when it comes to selling your sticker designs. Observation should always be your best friend. Even with observation, ensure you still set the price high enough to make a profit on your work.

Can You Make a Living Selling Sticker Designs?

If you love stickers and find success in the market, you might wonder – is it possible to make a living by selling sticker designs? Or do you need to do something else on the side?

It’s possible to make a living by selling sticker designs. However, it’s critical to note that you will need to sell a lot of stickers a month to make enough to live on in life. If you charge $2.00 per sticker, you will have to sell 2,000 a month to make $48,000 revenue per year before expenses and taxes.

You can make a living on stickers, but you’re better off selling something on the side or utilizing stickers as a side hustle. The sticker business can be unstable, and it’s best to know you have income.

Final Thoughts

If you are an artist, an excellent way to make an income is through creating sticker designs. You can sell the art itself, sell online stickers, or print them and sell them in person. Ideally, you should charge $1.00-$3.00 per sticker. Figure out how much it will cost per sticker to order and ship them, and then add 50 cents or more to each sticker as profit for your time and design experience. The total price will vary per sticker depending on size, material, and time, among others.

We hope this information was helpful! Through sites like placeit.net, it’s become simpler than ever to turn a design into something that can sell for a profit. With the right tools and exposure, you can turn your sticker designs into a business that can sustain you for a lifetime. If you have art, make it your job!

What Should Graphic Designers Charge for T-Shirts?

Having a Graphic Designer create a T-shirt for you or your event is a widespread practice these days. For example, if you are having a family reunion or your kindergarten class is having graduation, getting specifically designed shirts is a fantastic way to commemorate. So, what should a graphic designer charge for T-shirts?

You can expect to spend between $100 to $400 for a good T-shirt design. Graphic designers can charge two ways: flat fees or hourly. The designer you choose might be new to designing and cheaper and take more time, whereas a seasoned designer could charge a flat fee and finish the job in an afternoon.

For those who are not ready to pay top dollar for a professional graphic designer, consider using Placeit which has thousands of t-shirt design templates at a far lower cost.

There are a few things that you must know before you begin your search for a graphic designer, and they can take time and effort if you know where to start. So read on and learn everything you need to know about what a graphic designer should charge for a T-shirt!

How Graphic Designers Set Their Prices

Graphic designers are some of the most versatile workers in any industry. On top of creating top-tier graphics with cutting-edge software, they can create pieces of artwork involving computers and elements of physical art.

A few skills that graphic designers possess are:

  • Color – If you are creating a new logo for your company or the newsletter that announces your new business venture having the right colors is not just a matter of taste but of science. Graphic designers know which colors to use and how colors work with each other.
  • Shape – Shapes are critical for any designer worth their salt. Knowing how shapes will impact the design and the project is one of the main jobs of the designer. Shapes work to create art pieces or a collage that would work great on a T-shirt or your company logo.
  • Effect – The total effect of the design is something that the graphic designer places as their primary goal. The combined effect of the shape and color can make a memory spring to mind of your event or product. Designers know what effects the decisions they make will have on your event.

They might sound like wizards with Wacom tablets, but graphic designers are trained in schools like accountants and doctors. They take classes that teach them about depth and color, which eventually makes them into the superior computer operators that we all know and love.

How Graphic Designers Make Money

The most considerable expense a designer has is their time. They must decide early in the project whether they want to charge the client by the hour or the job. This impacts how they work going forward and will significantly impact the project.

The criteria for a graphic designer when pricing jobs are:

  • Time – The first thing they think about is how much time it will take to complete the project. They often could get a deadline with the request, making their time prime real estate. Unfortunately, time is the only finite resource a designer has, and they usually charge top-dollar for quick turnarounds.
  • Request – Another thing they must think about when going over pricing is the job itself. Do the client’s demands give them enough time to complete the job and give it their 100% effort? Sometimes if there isn’t enough time to finish the job, a designer won’t consider the offer.
  • Event – Depending on the occasion, the designer could charge less or do the job as a donation. For things like T-shirt design, donation works are used as a write-off for the designer, and if they are interested in the event, they could do it out of the goodness of their heart.

Designers’ best thing is their ability to make it work. Some designers, those starting, will pay less attention to the price and more attention to what they can create and who will see it. Older, more established designers could see projects as stepping stones that show their high-end designs while still taking time to work with small clients.

Conclusion

Professional graphic designers work with software to create vector images that can be used as design templates for T-shirts. These shirts can be for any occasion and will feature a one-of-a-kind design available only for you or your brand.

If you are in the market for a T-shirt design from a professional graphic designer, you could be spending between $100 and $400. They will make an exquisite design that will draw attention to your event or make a reminder that could last for years.

For those who are not ready to pay top dollar for a professional graphic designer, consider using Placeit which has thousands of t-shirt design templates at a far lower cost.