Every Twitch streamer is unique but developing a global streaming business requires the right branding. You must stand out among the crowd of other streamers, creators, and brands. To that end, a great stream design can catapult you to the top of your genre. One way to do that is with to-notch Twitch overlays.

You should buy a professional Twitch overlay if you stream regularly on the platform. Overlays provide simple branding that makes you look professional. If you plan to stream regularly, having a professional overlay will give you the best chance of growing your fan base. The right overlay will reflect your personality without inhibiting the enjoyment of your stream.

Buying a professional Twitch overlay doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are a bunch of free and cheap Twitch overlay templates.

Your streaming genre has a big influence on the type of overlays you should use on your stream. By reading further, you will learn what the overlay types are and how you can use them.

Reasons to Use a Twitch Overlay while Streaming

It does not take much to become a global streamer these days. You just need a live streaming platform such as Twitch and some recording software. Most platforms even provide the basic tools for free. However, if you want to expand your brand into something unique and professional, you must customize your stream design.

The right customization or branding will help you stand out in a crowded genre. Therefore, you want your branding to reflect your personality and the type of content you stream as much as possible. For instance, you should not use the customization for a gaming stream with an ASMR one. Luckily, you can do that with stream overlays.

What Is a Twitch Stream Overlay?

Stream overlays are graphics, information, and other content that displays on top of the raw live video feed. Visible to all viewers, these overlays can present text, webcams, images, custom QR codes, or any other interactive element. They give you a way to add more entertainment, styling, and content to your broadcast.

Twitch streamers often use overlays to show viewer donations, recent subscriptions, or new followers. You can even have multiple overlays on screen, giving you full customization over how they appear. However, you need a third-party streaming application such as OBS to use them.

Why Use a Twitch Stream Overlay?

Branding is the main reason to use stream overlays. You can use your overlays to make your stream truly yours with unique and personalized content. For instance, webcams are the most commonly used overlay. Live webcam overlays let your viewers see you and your reactions to viewer comments and the content your broadcast.

Other common reasons include:

• Showing social media shares and profiles
• Viewer interactions
• Display donations and raids
• Make your branding visible even before someone presses play

Common Twitch Overlay Types and Categories

While most people use stream overlays for similar reasons, not every type of overlay system works with every stream. As such, you must understand the needs of your stream and brand before choosing the overlays you will use.

Common Twitch Overlay Content Categories

A few commonly used overlays:

• Standard images
• Webcam Frame
• Follower and subscriber alerts
• Donations
• Twitch stream extensions – exclusive content provided by Twitch

Twitch Stream Types

Stream overlays come in combinations of the following 6 types, though you may find them under other names.

• Minimalist – simple overlays that provide interaction without cluttering the screen, perfect for first-person shooters and action games
• Cute – highly-stylized overlays for showing off your personality, great for casual streams and hangouts
• Retro – adds elements of the past and nostalgia to your streams, great for retro gaming
• Premium – pre-made professional-looking high-end overlays that must be bought and licensed from a provider. Suitable got gamers, casual streamers, and businesses, they come as templates compatible with most stream providers and applications
• Free – no-cost, pre-made stock overlays, some require no licensing, fairly basic but will work for most broadcasts, may need customizing before use
• Custom – professional-quality overlays made specifically for you and your brand, recommended for high-end professional streamers, but are usually the most expensive options

Do I Need a Full Streaming Overlay Package?

Professional and custom Twitch overlays often come as packages of different overlays. However, not every streamer will need a full package. Most beginners only need a webcam and maybe donation alerts for instance. Meanwhile, professional, and well-known streamers should conder a complete overlay package or two. You may also consider how much will fit in your budget.

Where to Find Professional and Custom Twitch Overlays?

If you decide that your brand and streams would benefit from using overlays, you must either find or create them. Luckily, there are a few stock graphics providers that offer quality professional and custom-made stream overlays. You just need to find the right one for your stream.

Luckily, you have a few good options when looking for overlay providers:

• Search engines – All reputable search engines will give you a list of “professional custom overlay service” providers with the best and most reputable on the first page of the results.
• Social media – Most reputable providers have profiles on all the popular social media platforms. Just search for design-related groups and accounts.
• Marketplaces – You will also find a few reputable overlay providers on different online marketplaces. (My personal recommendation is Placeit.net)

Conclusion

Twitch streamers can enhance their streams by adding Twitch overlays to their broadcasts. These pieces of text and graphics hover over your live video feed, providing your viewers a unique way to interact with your brand. In doing so, these overlays make your brand stand out from the crowd, drawing in more viewers than you otherwise have on your own.

Art is all over the place in various media. There’s painting, sculpting, writing, stitching, and everything else creative under the sun, and that includes digital drawing. So many artists out there make gorgeous works of art with their computers or other electronic devices that it can be tempting to want to try too.

Drawing digitally is a great way to express creativity and can be both a rewarding skill and hobby. It doesn’t take much to pick up, but it does still take a lot of time, practice, and effort just like with any other form of art.

In the end, whether or not to pick up drawing digitally is completely up to the individual. However, it doesn’t hurt to try building new skills so instead of just thinking about it, why not give it a go? Keep reading for some tips that might help the decision to start drawing digitally or not.

It Doesn’t Have to Cost a Lot

One of the greatest things about digital art is that chances are, you already have the software needed to get started. Plenty of digital artists use built-in software or freeware programs to produce their work, so it isn’t going to require a bunch of startup material cost.

It also doesn’t require some fancy classes to learn how to do. Some artists just dive right in and teach themselves, while others spend countless hours reading tutorials, watching YouTube videos, or reading “How To” books from the local library. While getting the top-of-the-line software and tech might sound appealing, it doesn’t have to be there in order to produce great work.

In regards to equipment, a basic drawing tablet will allow you to freehand draw and take your digital drawing to the next level. There are advanced styluses and advanced drawing tablets, but a basic drawing tablet will allow you to do nearly the same things but without the pin-point precision and some added features.

Art of Any Kind is a Skill, not a Talent

There is a very common misconception that art is a God-given talent, and only people who are born with this special ability are able to produce great works of art. While some people take to a specific medium or style better than others, that doesn’t mean that their art itself is a talent. It is entirely a skill built up just like any other skill: with a ton of practice.

Some people will insist that to “get good” at art one has to practice daily. That really isn’t true. Practicing a lot, whenever possible or the mood strikes, is far better and will lead to less burnout. Behind every great digital artist are countless hours of work, effort, and research that has gone into building those skills. They wouldn’t have ever gotten to where they were if they didn’t take the plunge and risk making things that weren’t so great to start out with.

You Will Always be Your Own Worst Critic

While there can be a large swath of toxic individuals on the internet, most people, especially other artists, are just happy to see someone trying. Just remember that no matter what happens or how much praise a piece of art gets, the artist has already seen a thousand things they consider errors. Nobody will be harsher on a piece of art, either traditional or digital, than the artist themselves.

What a beginner might see as a terrible piece looking nothing like the work they idolize, an established artist will see an immense amount of effort put in to just try. There will always be something worth it in there, so push aside those worries and that internal criticism and just try. Can’t get better without taking that first step.

There is a Steep Learning Curve

No matter what, drawing digitally is a new skill and with that comes some sort of learning curve. This is a hobby with an extremely steep learning curve and that unfortunately isn’t going to be avoidable. If starting from the ground up with absolutely no artistic experience previously, that seems like a huge mountain to climb. There’s all these terms, programs, and functions to learn that seem insurmountable in some situations. Just take it one tiny step at a time and soon it will become second nature.

If starting with an artistic background of some sort, the curve is a little less steep. Coming from traditional drawing to digital can be as simple as finding software and programs that feel a lot like the previous media or doing a little mix of the two. Try scanning in a traditional sketch and then converting that to a digital piece, either by functions in the program or putting it on its own layer to draw over. That can help at least get a feel for how things work.

It Can Become Profitable

Digital art is one of the ways that people can become their own boss. Eventually, the artist might become confident enough in their skills to offer art commissions. This can add up to quite a hefty sum with a good amount of advertising, which will in turn teach a huge number of transferrable skills to the artist.

From there, it can also lead to building a portfolio and landing a successive artistic career. It’s not a useless skill by any means, especially since it has potential to make money down the line. Some artists even manage to successfully make their own business and live entirely off of their art.

Conclusion

If thinking about picking up drawing digitally, most artists are going to insist to just take the plunge. It doesn’t have to cost a lot, nor does it need to be perfect immediately. While there’s a mountain of learning and practice ahead, it can be an amazing hobby and skill to cultivate that might even become worthwhile profit down the line.

Just always remember that it is a skill not a talent and requires a lot of practice. For every great piece of art, regardless of medium, there are countless hours of effort gone into growing that bank of skills to be able to produce that one piece. It wouldn’t have gotten there without deciding to try in the first place, and it’s not like it is going to hurt anything to give it a whirl to decide if it’s a good medium for creative expression.

Unfortunately, Illustrator is one of the software that usually causes you to spend a decent amount of time doing trial and error to figure out why something is happening. Due to a large number of settings, options, and moving parts in the software, many things can be wrong at the same time, and most recently, something is causing an issue with the gradient appearance. 

When your gradient in Illustrator looks choppy, most of the time it is a color management issue, an issue with using the gradient tool instead of gradient mesh, or due to the screen you are using combined with your graphics card. Usually, you can reset certain settings or use different tools to adjust and fix the choppy issue. 

Now, you can always choose to not fix it for a mockup or a rough draft, but eventually, you are going to want your file to look professional and well done. A gradient that looks choppy does not fit into that category, so you may start doing some research as early as possible on how to fix it. 

How To Fix The Choppy Gradient

If you have a gradient that looks choppy or like it has lines and spots with missing colors you are going to need to fix it. While you may think it’ll look okay in the finished product, you will actually be able to see it and when it is printed out it’ll be more noticeable. What other people will see is an issue with the pixels or a bad printing job. 

While you will know it was a bit out of your control, certain things can look unprofessional and not well done to others who are unaware of the Illustrator issue. 

Fixing The Color Management Issue

While color management is a combination of settings through your graphics card, screens resolution, and even your printing ability, there are a few ways to fix it. This can tell you if it is an illustrator issue or an issue with your monitor, graphics card, or printer. 

You can change the settings on your monitor to adjust resolution or color hues and this may give you a smoother-looking gradient, however, when your print it out, it may still look the same. In this case, try changing the orientation of how it prints out and see if that helps. If it is printing horizontal with the printer strokes then you have a chance of creating lines across the image. 

However, if you turn the image landscape so it goes against the strokes of the printer you are more likely to have smoother lines and color distinction. 

(Source: Graphic Design, Adobe Community)

Using Gradient Mesh Instead Of Gradient Tool

Most people who are trying to create a gradient prefer to use gradient mesh instead of the gradient tool. The gradient mesh allows for a better mix and combination of color pixels for less of a choppy gradient. 

The gradient mesh applies a grid to the gradient that will follow the contour of the image and you can apply different colors to each grid point that than feather into each other flawlessly. This can help stop the choppiness of certain gradient problems. 

While this is a workaround to a problem, it can be a tad difficult for some people to grasp gradient mesh over the gradient tool. You can find the gradient mesh option in Illustrator CS5, CS6, and CC, once you choose the object go to Object > Create Gradient Mesh. 

(Source: Webucator, Adobe Community)

Customer Service

If all other options fail, you always have the option to contact customer service through Illustrator. They have email and phone options to contact for support, and you can also join the conversation on their forum that will allow you to get other experiences from customers who have had the same issue. 

No matter the problem, chances are someone else has had that same problem and together you can both find a solution. 

Final Thoughts

Once you figure out how to manage Illustrator and all its ins and outs, you can then start to create amazing images and mockups. However, unfortunately, once you figure out how to use it, you will have to continue learning even more. 

Illustrator has a few cons that create problems you have to figure out yourself through trial and error. You may have to do some research to fix things like a choppy gradient, but once you fix it, you’ll be ready when you encounter something else. 

When you are setting up your Twitch profile, you will likely upload images to personalize certain aspects of your streaming channel. In the process of uploading an image, you might come across a pop-up saying “Image format not supported”. Why is Twitch saying “Image format not supported”?

If Twitch says “Image format not supported”, it is because the file you are uploading is not supported by Twitch. For profile pictures and emotes, Twitch requires certain file types and sizes. You must convert your image to the correct file type, and then upload it again.

Read on to learn more about why Twitch is saying “Image format not supported” as well as ways to convert your image to a certain file. You will also learn a better way to enhance your Twitch profile customization.

Why Is Twitch Saying “Image Format Not Supported”?

If Twitch says “Image format not supported” while you are customizing your Twitch profile, it is because the image you have chosen to upload has been saved as a file type that is not compatible with Twitch. Whether you are uploading an image for your profile picture or an emote, Twitch requires a specific file type.

Images for Twitch profile pictures can be uploaded as JPEG, PNG, or GIF files and cannot be larger than 10MB. Images for Twitch emotes must be PNG files and must be between 112 x 112px and 4,096 x 4,096px. 

If you attempt to upload an image larger than the listed sizes or as a different file type from those above, Twitch will notify you with a pop-up saying “Image format not supported”. If you are not familiar with uploading images for Twitch emotes, note that although your PNG file can be as big as 4,096 x 4,096px, once you upload it, you must choose between the sizes of 28 x 28px, 56 x 56px, and 112 x 112px.

New Twitch streamers may not even realize that their images are saved as a file type not compatible with Twitch. Luckily, it is a quick fix. If you see “Image format not supported” on your screen, it is nothing to worry about. Read below to see the easiest way to convert your image into a file type suitable for Twitch profiles and emotes.

How To Convert Your Image Into Another File

When Twitch says “Image format not supported”, click out of the pop-up and clear the image from the upload process. You will not be able to change the file type in Twitch. However, the process to do so outside of Twitch is simple. For different computers, there are different conversion methods.

If you are using a Mac, your computer already contains Preview, which allows you to convert images easily. Locate the saved image on your computer and right-click it. Extend the “Open With” option and select “Preview (default)”. Once the image is opened in Preview, click “File”, “Export”, and under format, select either PNG for emotes or PNG, JPEG, or GIF for profile pictures.

If you have a Windows or other PC, the process is just as easy. You should be able to download a free image viewing program with no problem. After doing so, open the image in the program, click “File”, then choose “Save As”. Under the formats section, choose the respective file type and save the image.

You can also convert your image online. In an online file conversion site, you should first have the option to choose the file type you wish to convert your image into. Once you select the file type (PNG, JPEG, or GIF), click “Select Image” and open the image you wish to convert. You might have to agree to the website’s terms next, but in any case, select “Convert Image”. 

Image Converted: Now What?

Now that you have converted your image into a PNG file for emotes or either a PNG, JPEG, or GIF file for profile pictures, simply go back to your Twitch profile customization page. Repeat the process of selecting your newly converted image to upload, and you should have no problem.

If Twitch continues to send a pop-up saying “Image format not supported”, there might be an underlying problem with the image itself or a temporary malfunction with Twitch TV. The easiest way to figure out the problem is by contacting Twitch customer service to see if they can sort the problem out for you.

Placeit For Twitch Customization

Before, during, and after beginning the customization of your Twitch profile, you might hit a creative roadblock. Having trouble figuring out how to personalize your streaming platform can make your channel less appealing than it could be. Placeit is a great resource for igniting your creative endeavors when using graphic design to customize your Twitch channel.

Placeit offers Twitch templates for banners, overlays, and panels to make your channel appeal to your subscribers and attract new viewers. With thousands of options to choose from on the free, online software, you do not have to worry about installation and unknown fees when using Placeit to make your designs unique.

Also, Placeit has specific Twitch templates that are formatted specifically for Twitch, so they will upload correctly.

Takeaway

If Twitch is saying “Image format not supported”, it is because the file type you have saved your image as is not compatible with Twitch services. Converting your image into a compatible file type is simple, whether you are using your computer’s built-in program or an online resource.

By now, we already know the role that Photoshop has played in the creative world, and it’s safe to say that things would be very different if we didn’t have this software around. Adobe has done an incredible job of keeping this software functional by producing yearly updates with new and improved functions incorporated. Many have even wondered whether they still need the older Photoshop version after installing updates, which has left a huge group challenged.

You don’t need to remove the old version of Photoshop when updating unless it interferes with how the new updates function. However, you should first check whether the new versions, including the plug-ins, are working perfectly before removing the older version.

That’s not all, as you still need to know how to check Photoshop updates and install them, remove the older version of Photoshop, and troubleshoot a crashing Photoshop, which you will learn if you read on.

Do You Need the Older Version of Photoshop After Updating?

Photoshop is a handy tool that allows us to bring out our creative side. Thanks to regular updates rolled out by Adobe, it has outperformed the competition. These updates are meant to improve an already impressive software and provide you with extra features that make your work easier.

However, many people have been left torn between removing the older versions of Photoshop after updating or keeping them. Although there’s no one answer fits all, the decision you make will be determined by one of the following:

Does the Software Still Work?

Updates can be a bit tricky to deal with, especially if there have been more changes. Before rushing to remove the older version after installing updates, you should check if the software is working well. Some updates might have bugs that interfere with the software’s performance, and this could create more problems when working. Check if the plug-ins are working properly and how they respond to commands.

Is the Older Version Interfering With the Software?

Only remove the older Photoshop files if they interfere with the new updates’ function. If you experience extended loading time and the software crashing more often, maybe it’s time to remove the older files and let the new version run as it should. The biggest clue to keep an eye on is how the plug-ins are responding.

How Do You Check for Photoshop Updates?

Photoshop will always alert you when there are new updates, and you can see the notification on the dashboard. You might also receive an email from Adobe about the updates. However, you can also check the official Photoshop website for new updates.

If you don’t bother checking for updates, you’ll see a pop-up window notifying you of the pending updates, and you might not be able to use the software until you install the updates.

Installing the updates is easy and straightforward. First, you need to click on the ‘install’ updates on the dashboard to download the necessary files. You don’t need to choose any specific files as the process is automatic.

After the download is complete, you’ll have to accept the terms and let the updates install. The process should take a few minutes, and you should restart the computer to effect the changes.

How Do You Remove the Older Version of Photoshop?

It’s possible to uninstall the older version of Photoshop while keeping the newer version, but only if you follow specific steps. You must use the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app to make this work. Here’s how you do it:

1. Open the Creative Cloud App
2. Select the ‘More Action’ icon on the All Apps page
3. Select ‘Uninstall’ in the drop-down list
4. You’ll be prompted with a choice on which Photoshop software you need to remove
5. You can click cancel to stop the uninstallation, remove to get rid of the files and keep to retain the original files.

If you uninstall the software using another method, you risk deleting even the new updates. Alternatively, you can uninstall the entire software before updating it and installing the official website’s newer version.

Outro

Photoshop is incredible software that helps to bring out our creative sides. The older version can only be removed if it inconveniences you and interferes with the software’s performance. However, you must first check if the new updates are working properly before removing the older version. The software would provide you a notification or receive an email whenever a new update is available.

In terms of image quality, there is no competition between the lossless compression style of PNG formatting and the lossy compression style of JPG formatting; but have you considered the PDF format for images? While PDF isn’t commonly used for graphics and images, it could be a serious contender with the same high-quality compression style as PNG.

PDF and PNG are on the same level in terms of image quality. It would be best to use PNG for web images and PDF for print images. With only 72 dpi, the quality of PNG is just not good enough for print. The lack of transparency and ease of integration makes PDF less preferable for the web.

Despite these similarities, quite a few significant differences can determine which format is used. That decision is based on a few factors about your image and its purpose, so keep reading to find out what those are and which image format would best suit your needs.

Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF or Portable Document is the standard for document sharing because it creates an exact replica of the file you’re sharing, including graphics and images. PDFs are also great for sharing screenshots.

Typically, you won’t see PDF files with just images or photographs, but a text-heavy document with those two elements dispersed throughout the file. You might not think of PDF as an image format, but it’s worth looking at the pros and cons before writing it off.

The Pros of PDF

One of the primary benefits of a PDF is the ability to control who has access and their allowances. For example, you create a logo or graphic and want to share it with a client. Not only can your client get easy access to the PDF, but they can also annotate the document to provide feedback.

Here are a few more benefits of saving a file/image as a PDF:

• PDFs can endure additional compression using an online tool without losing the quality of the image, so the file size won’t be so large, taking up a lot of storage space and causing slow uploads/downloads.
• PDFs are a secure file format that allows adding a password or watermark. You can authorize access, editing, copying, and restrict specific users or groups of users.
• PDFs are the preferred delivery format for printers. Commercial printers are calibrated for the CMYK color mode, which PDFs use.
• PDF format is suitable for vector and raster images.

The Cons of PDF

The main drawback to PDF, especially for web design, is that it doesn’t allow for transparency, which is critical for adding graphics and logos to websites or product mockups. You can put a PDF, like a newsletter or a flyer, online, but using it in place of a web page can seriously hamper the user experience.

Here are a few more challenges of saving a file/image as a PDF:

• PDFs are not optimized for web browser windows or device viewpoints.
• PDFs don’t allow for the same ease of scrolling around or scanning as a regular web page.
• PDFs are also not accessible for those using assistive technology for web content.

Portable Network Graphics (PNG)

PNG or Portable Network Graphics is primarily used for saving and sharing images and graphics. Although you can save a photograph as a PNG, especially if you want to maintain that high quality, it’s mostly used for icons and logos.

Like its main rival JPG, PNG can be shared and viewed across various platforms and applications, like placeit.net, making it quite user-friendly. Let’s look at the pros and cons to determine which format is best and for what job.

The Pros of PNG

The primary benefit of this format is its ability to maintain image quality, especially for web-based images. The image quality isn’t affected since there is no reduction in image size, therefore retaining all its data.

Here are a few more benefits of saving an image as a PNG:

• PNG supports images and graphics with transparent backgrounds.
• PNG is easily editable in design applications like Photoshop
• PNGs maintain lots of color depth which makes for more vibrant images.

The Cons of PNG

The primary drawback to PNG is the large file size that comes with the lossless compression style. Unlike PDF, there aren’t options for further compression that wouldn’t affect the quality of the image. Reducing the PNG file size would have to be accomplished by limiting the number of colors or the amount of detail in your image.

Here are a few more challenges of saving an image as a PNG:

• PNG is suitable primarily for raster images, not vector images.
• PNG isn’t best for printing because it uses an RGB color mode, and commercial/digital printers are calibrated to the CMYK color mode.
• PNG’s large file size takes up a lot of storage space on your device and causes slow uploads/downloads.
• PNG doesn’t support embedding EXIF metadata used by most digital cameras.

When Should You Use PNG or PDF?

While the image quality between PNG and PDF is neck and neck, it is evident what each image/file format is best suited for based on the pros and cons that have been laid out in this article.

It would be best to use PNG for web images and PDF for print images. With only 72 dpi, the quality of PNG is just not good enough for print. The lack of transparency and ease of integration makes PDF less preferable for the web.

There are always exceptions to the rule. PDFs allowance of additional compression without compromising quality can help with upload/download times. Some fine art printers differ from digital or commercial printers by using RGB, ideal for PNG images.

Conclusion

All in all, PDF and PNG have advantages that can be utilized and disadvantages that can be avoided in the right context. They also have the ability to be somewhat interchangeable at times; it’s just about the user’s needs. So, whether you’re uploading a logo or graphic for apparel mockups or posting a newsletter with images and animation, there is an image/file format suitable for you.

Did you know that Photoshop is a great program for photo editing? The fact that you probably don’t is a good indication of just how good it is. Photoshop is one of the most popular photo editing programs out there, and for good reason.

Photoshop is a powerful software that can be used for a wide range of creative tasks. While its price may be high, it is worth the investment for the potential it has to help you create beautiful and professional-looking photos.

You see, Photoshop is not only a great photo editing program, but it’s also a useful tool for everyone. If you’re looking to improve your skills, then you’ll find a lot to love in Photoshop. Even if you’re not a photographer, you’ll find a lot to enjoy if you give it a try. Keep reading to know everything you need to know about the cost and whether or not it’s worth the cost.

When Is Photoshop Worth It?

Photoshop is worth every penny. There isn’t a single feature in the program that you won’t find useful, and it will easily be one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. If you want to get into photo editing, then Photoshop is definitely worth the cost.

The software offers a ton of power and control over your images at an affordable price, but don’t take my word for it. Let’s go over the different things that make Photoshop worth it, so you can make up your own mind about whether or not it should be part of your arsenal.

It’s Versatile

You can do a lot with Photoshop, and this versatility is one of its biggest selling points. It doesn’t matter what kind of image you have; whether it was taken on a phone camera or a professional DSLR camera, there are plenty of things you can do with Photoshop to improve the quality or the look of the image.

It’s Powerful

You can edit images, create graphics, and perform a ton of different kinds of tasks that are far beyond what you can do with any other tool. Photoshop is truly a powerful program that offers almost infinite potential for creativity.

The more you get into it, the more you’ll see what it can do, and then you’ll be hooked. You may not be able to afford Photoshop at first, but once you see how much power it has to offer, you won’t be able to resist upgrading from your free trial.

It Will Make Your Life Easier

Photoshop is easy to use and quick to learn. Once you know how to use it, there will be very little that will stand in your way as far as getting the kind of images that you want are concerned. It will give you so much control over your images that it will make life so much easier for anyone who wants to get their images the way they want them.

Photoshop Is a Powerful Image Editing Software

Photoshop is a powerful tool for anyone who uses a computer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional photographer who works with specialty programs to create digital images, or a casual photographer who uses the most popular software to edit their photos. Photoshop has everything you need to make your photos look their best. From image editing to creation and cloning, there’s plenty to love about Photoshop.

The Best Version for Beginners

If you’re a new photographer who’s been trying out editing photos for the first time, or you don’t know very much about photography yet and want to learn the basics, then the photo editing software in Photoshop may be just what you’re looking for. The software is easy to use, and it has an intuitive interface.

While it may seem like a basic software program at first, Photoshop is actually one of the most powerful image editing programs out there. It comes with a lot of tools and features, so if you gain an understanding of it, you’ll be ready to handle nearly any photo editing challenge you may come up against.

The Downsides of Photoshop

If you’re a beginner, there are some things you should be aware of before you start using Photoshop. The top two drawbacks to Photoshop are:

• It can take a while to learn
• It is expensive

It Has a Learning Curve

The thing about Photoshop is that it doesn’t have a steep learning curve. Unlike some other more advanced programs, you won’t feel overwhelmed or confused when you start using it.

The software is very easy to use, and it has a very straightforward approach to editing photos. You won’t find advanced features or tools within the software, so you won’t feel lost when you first start using it.

It’s Not Free

One of the worst things about Photoshop is that it’s not free. Yes, you get given a free license when you first purchase the software, but you also have to pay for it. There are subscription programs that cost money that give you lifetime access to the software, but you have to pay for that as well. There are also various options for non-subscribers like donation-based software that lets you try out the software for free.

Conclusion

Photoshop is a powerful software that can help you create professional-looking photos. It’s easy to use, allows plenty of control over your photo editing, but is not free to use. If you need design at a reasonable rate and aren’t ready for Photoshop, there is always Placeit.net! Whether you’re a beginner or a professional photographer, you’ll find a lot to love about Photoshop.

So, is Photoshop worth the cost? The short answer is yes. No matter what your skill level is when it comes to photo editing, you’re going to benefit from using Photoshop. Whether you’re looking to improve your skills, or you just want to have a little fun with a new program, Photoshop is a great tool for almost anyone.

Whether you have just begun job searching as a graphic designer or have been completing professional projects for years, chances are that you have heard of Upwork. Upwork is a freelancing platform where clients can post job opportunities and freelance graphic designers, writers, and more apply for posted jobs. Is Upwork worth it for graphic designers?

Upwork is definitely worth it for graphic designers. The technology of the world today calls for more graphic designers than ever. With job opportunities asking for skill levels from entry-level to expert, Upwork offers several opportunities for graphic designers.

Read on to learn more about whether Upwork is worth it for graphic designers. In discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the freelance platform, you might find that Upwork is the perfect place to search for your next graphic design project. 

Is Upwork Worth It for Graphic Designers?

Upwork offers opportunities posted by people from all over. Whether it involves designing a flyer or creating a webpage layout, infographic, or logo, jobs for graphic designers are constantly available on Upwork. In the freelance industry, it can be difficult to find specific jobs on other platforms.

As a graphic designer, you might spend hours searching for jobs through online career sites. The difference between Upwork and other sites is that Upwork is meant specifically for freelancers. While you can add filters in seeking certain project types, you will not have to funnel through countless jobs that have no relation to what you are looking for. 

Upwork is great for all skill levels and all types of work. Typically in the form of contracts, clients can hire you to work on one project, stay on board for a few months, or even hire you for a full-time job. Oftentimes, a client offers one or more projects with the opportunity to attain a full-time job depending on your work. 

As with any venture, there are some considerations to think about before deciding if Upwork is a good fit for you. However, there are ways to improve your chances of getting hired. In any case, Upwork is a great place to look for graphic design work, both for experts and those just beginning their journey in the industry.

Pros and Cons of Working With Upwork

Upwork is a great place to find graphic design opportunities. With the ability to customize your profile, capitalize on successful projects with clients, and earn money quickly, you will find yourself happy to have invested your time.

Upwork has its pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
– Variety of job types – Choose your hourly rate, hours, and more – Earn cash on the side or find a full-time job – Client ratings	– Cost of applying to jobs – Percentage taken from work – Skills required

As you can see, there are more advantages than there are disadvantages when you choose to find jobs with Upwork. However, the cons are still worth consideration. Below are more details regarding how Upwork is both beneficial yet costly.

Advantages 

The largest advantage of choosing Upwork involves the amount of work available. Depending on your skill level, you should have no problem finding work that you are capable of completing. By simply searching for graphic design projects based on the skill level the client is looking for, you can better find jobs you are suited for.

You can also choose the base pay for which you wish to be compensated. Though some clients state how much money they are willing to offer, establishing your own hourly rate is a great way to determine how much your labor is worth for a client. In many cases, you can also choose your own hours. Sometimes, especially with a time-sensitive project, the contract may require certain hours, but quick design endeavors should not be a problem.

Whether you are hired by a client to complete one project or find a 3-month job that eventually leads to a full-time hire, Upwork allows you to make money quickly. With the contract-style hires, you can get paid after each successfully completed project.

Clients can rate you after completing a project. If you work well with the client, have quick turnaround times, and do good work, the rating your client gives you can help boost your success in finding other jobs on Upwork. Other clients can see how you have been rated in the past and better judge if they would like to work with you.

Disadvantages

While it is not a drastic downside, you do have to pay a fee to apply to most jobs. Upwork uses “Connects” that you must purchase and give a portion of for every job you apply to. However, every 10 Connects only costs $1.50. So, you can easily get 80 Connects for $12.00. Most jobs offered by clients on Upwork only require 1-5 Connects to apply.

Another fee involves the money your receive for successfully completing a project. Since Upwork is essentially a free-to-use platform, it takes 20% of your earnings when you get paid. If you do a good job of finding worthwhile work and completing projects for good money, however, this may not be a huge issue for you. Just keep in mind that whatever the client is offering, you will make 20% less than that.

The last notable downside to using Upwork is the skill level required. Yes, there are plenty of entry-level projects offered by clients, but many clients require intermediate or expert-level hires. You can change your experience level on Upwork, but if you truly are entry-level, even jobs that seem easy but are labeled expert may be out of grasp.

How Much Do Graphic Designers Make on Upwork?

How much you make on Upwork depends on the work you complete. You might only make $20 on an hour-long project, but some contracts lasting months can extend to allow you to make thousands of dollars. It is also worth noting that the more money you make, the less percentage Upwork takes from your earnings. If you truly apply yourself when using Upwork, you can make a substantial amount of money. 

Most posted jobs are short projects, so it can be difficult to make a living on Upwork, but many people who please their clients find themselves earning a full-time, salary job that transfers from Upwork to the client’s company directly.

Depending on your intentions when using Upwork, you can secure a nice chunk of spending money or find jobs that act as your main source of income. That is why Upwork is such a great platform. You have different options for how often you want to work, what type of work you do, and how much money you can make.

Should You Use Upwork?

If you are a graphic designer struggling to find work, Upwork is the place to go. Even if you struggle to find as much consistent work as you would like, you can continue to build your portfolio for future endeavors.

You should absolutely use Upwork to search for freelance graphic design jobs. With the low fees and endless opportunities, you may find that working through Upwork is your preferred way to get paid for graphic design.

Use Placeit for Upwork Projects

If you get hired to complete graphic design work, you are going to need a platform through which you create your designs. Placeit has everything you need for your graphic design endeavors. From logos, to design layouts, to a wide variety of templates to choose from, you will have no problem creating the best designs for your Upwork clients when working with Placeit.

Best of all, everything you create on Placeit comes with full commercial usage rights. This means you can sell the designs to paying clients, and they are fully copyright-free.

Takeaway

Upwork is worth it for graphic designers. The freelance industry is constantly seeking those with the technological skills to complete a wide range of projects. Upwork offers the opportunity to choose your hours and the type of work you want with ease.

Being an artist will often require working in many different mediums and growing with technology to become more skilled. One way that shows up most often is by using tablets to paint or draw. There is a learning curve when it comes to painting or drawing on a tablet as its feel is vastly different from pencil or brush and paper. However, many programs will help you make the transition. One of those programs is Clip Studio Pro.

If you have used Clip Studio Pro, you probably appreciate that it can be used on various devices including Apple and Windows. However, one problem many people have found is that the brush strokes sometimes lag creating jagged or missed pieces of lines. This can be very frustrating, but there are ways to fix it. Read on to find out how to make using technology a tool and not a hassle.

How Can I Fix Brush Lag in Clip Studio Pro?

If you are using Clip Studio, are happily drawing, and then find to your chagrin that the brush lagged for a moment causing an otherwise beautiful line to be jagged, then it may be tempting to give up and go back to the tried-and-true brush and paper.

However, before you give up, try uninstalling the tablet driver and making sure the latest one is installed. If that does not work here are some of the solutions for the following problems which cause brush lag.

Lagging at the Start of the Stroke

If there is a lag at the beginning of the stroke, take the following steps:

1. Click the file button. Scroll down the menu to the option labeled “Preferences”.
2. After the menu has opened click on the second option labeled “Tablet”. Go to the bottom of the window to “Tablet Settings.”
3. Click the down arrow to the right of “Input Frequency”.
4. Select “Prioritize Quality. Click Okay.

Starting lags are so annoying. Hopefully, with these steps, you can get back to your preferred stroke.

Lagging at the End of the Stroke

If there is a lag at the end of the stroke when you are lifting the pen from the tablet, try the following:

1. Click the file button. Scroll down the menu until you get to “Preferences.” Click on it.
2. After the menu has opened click on the sixth option labeled Performance.” Focus on the part of the menu labeled “Undo” towards the bottom of the menu.
3. Click the right-facing arrow to the right of the box labeled “Undo Levels”. Set it to 30, then check to see if the lag is gone. If it has not, go back into Performance.
4. Once you are there, go back down to the option labeled “Undo Interval Between Actions.” Click the right-facing arrow until it has been set to 0. This should take care of the problem.

With these steps, you may be able to fix a lag!

Delay on the Entire Stroke

If the entire stroke is delayed, then it can be five causes:

1. The canvas is too big. If you think this might be the problem, “File”, then “New” and create a new canvas with 72dpi to see if the lagging is still occurring.
2. There is a problem with the setting of the brush Try different brush settings to see if the lag occurs with all of them or just one. If it is just one, return the brush to default settings.
3. There is an issue with pen tablet settings. You can try turning off the “Windows Setting Ink”. Or, if you are using a Wacom tablet go to the pen setting and turn off
   Double Click Distance”. Then go to the Mapping setting and turn off “Use Digital Ink Function.
4. There is a problem with the settings on your Mac. Go into the Clip Studio Program, click “Menu”, then select the option labeled “Tablet.” Make the settings [Processing Priority]= “1”, and [Precision]=[Recommended].
5. There is a problem with the display connection if you are using Windows. If you are set up with multiple monitors that are all connected to different graphics boards, there can be a delay in communication. Check that they are all properly connected to one graphics board by right-clicking the Windows start button, clicking on Search, and entering [dxdiag].

Windows should pop up with the names of each display. If the names are different change them so that they are the same.

Timing Delay

If there is a timing delay and it is happening regularly, then it usually means there is another driver connected that is causing the delay. For example, if you also use an X-box and the driver is installed, uninstall it then test the brush to see if it is still lagging.

Another issue that may cause a timing delay is your security settings. If you have tried everything else and this is the only other possible option, then check to make sure your security is up to date. Then refer to this page for different exclusions that you may be able to apply.

One of the above options should work. If not, then reach out to Clip Studios support for further guidance and help.

Conclusion

A brush lagging is a common problem with Clip Studio Pro. There are many different types of lags, and it is best to narrow down the specific one you are having before trying to fix it. The most common ones are a lag at the beginning of the stroke, a lag at the end of the brushstroke, the entire brushstroke being delayed, or there is a delay at regular intervals.

For each of these problems go into the settings and locate the different things you can try. Make sure that other drivers are uninstalled as they can affect the timing of your brushstrokes. Follows the guidelines for whatever you are using, whether you are on Windows or Mac, using multiple screens, or just one. Work your way down the list if you are not sure of the specific issue, and if nothing else works reach out to support at Clip Studio for further guidance.

If you own a computer and used Microsoft Word, you have come across clip arts. They’re premade graphics and characters that you can use for personal projects. They’re mostly used in graphics designing as they help cut down the time it takes to come up with new characters. Recently, there have been questions on whether it’s legal to use clip arts in a logo, and it’s only fair if we discuss this at length.

It’s illegal to use clip arts in a logo as they’re not considered original and might face potential legal complications. Even with royalty-free clip arts, their use is usually limited to personal and not commercial projects. Using clips arts in your logo, even after modifying them, could lead to copyright infringement.

That’s not all, as you still need to know whether you need permission to use clip arts, if you can use these images freely and whether you can copyright a logo you’ve designed, which you will learn if you read on.

Is Using Clip Art in a Logo Illegal?

Clip arts are not considered original, and using them in your logo might lead to copyright infringement. Stock images are also a type of clip art, and it’s important to avoid using them in your logo. There has been confusion as to why you’re allowed to use clip arts (royalty-free or premium) in certain projects and prohibited in others. The answer to this is very simple:

Clip arts have a clause in their terms and conditions prohibiting their use in a commercial project, and a logo falls under this category. Even though you’re allowed to use them within your presentation, fliers and other files, they shouldn’t be displayed publicly as part of your business identity.

Clip arts are very popular in graphics design as they help to cut down work when coming up with new designs. Without copyright infringement, royalty-free clip arts can be used freely in brochures, work presentations, and digital projects. This freedom of use has prompted many to consider using clip arts in their business logos, but doing so is not legal.

A logo should contain original artwork made from scratch. It could be the first letter of your company’s name, like Facebook, or an original clip art like Apple Inc. However, it cannot contain any existing artwork.

Do you Need Permission to Use Clip Arts?

You’ll need permission from the owner to use their clip art if they have copyrighted it. Such use is considered Fair Use, and you won’t be sued for copyright infringement. However, you’re allowed to use clip arts in the public domain without needing permission from the owner.

Fair use is where the owner permits you to use clip art or part of the clip art, and they hold the right to limit the extent of use. For instance, they can allow you to use their clip art in your blog posts, but not on YouTube, where you can monetize the videos. Alternatively, they can allow you to use their work commercially only if you agree to compensate them. This type of permission is usually a written consent that you can present if there is a dispute.

Another option is to use clip arts from the public domain, where it’s unnecessary to ask for permission. Clip arts in public domains are those whose copyright claim has expired or didn’t have one. However, check if there are any limitations of use in the terms and conditions to avoid unnecessary lawsuits.

Can you Use Clip Arts Freely?

You’re allowed to freely use clip arts, especially royalty-free images, as you see fit. However, you should only use them in personal projects and attribute the owner. Here’s how you can use clip arts without triggering copyright problems:

• PowerPoint projects – you can have as many clip arts in your slides as possible. Microsoft comes equipped with hundreds of clip arts you can use.
• Gift tags – you can include several clip arts in gift tags without breaking any law.
• Party fliers – accessorize your party fliers with impressive clip arts
• Blog posts – Microsoft permits using their clip arts in personal blogs.

Additionally, it depends on where you get the clip arts, as not every website offering them has the license to do so. Although Microsoft allows you to use their clip arts, they prohibit packaging and reselling them to your clients.

Can You Copyright a Logo You Have Designed?

 You could copyright a logo you designed if you used original artwork. The logo has to be unique and not a derivative of an existing one. Once copyrighted, the logo is protected under the law as an artistic work, and you can sue someone who uses it without your permission.

A logo is not limited to a symbol or a picture, as you can use a company’s name as Coca-Cola does. A company logo assigns you a ‘common law trademark,’ which gives you the legal rights to use the logo without filing any paperwork. Logos under common law trademarks are still protected, and you can sue someone for using them without your permission.

Although common law trademark offers protection, there are some crucial things you must know, such as:

• Geographical limitations – the law can prevent someone in your geo-location from using your logo or business name if you have registered it but allow someone from another state to use it.
• No fees – you don’t pay any fees under common law trademark, unlike federal registration.
• Enforcement – it’s tricky reinforcing common law trademark as there is no paperwork to attest to this, unlike federal registration.
• You can’t pass it on – a common law trademark cannot be passed once you sell a business, and the buyer would be required to rebrand or file for federal registration.

Outro

It’s considered illegal to use clip arts in a logo as they’re not original work. The same applies to royalty-free clip arts since most of them restrict commercial use. You need permission from the owner before using their clip arts in your projects, which is considered Fair Use.

For those seeking a better way to make logos, that are copyright-free and commercially usable, I highly recommend Placeit. They have a logo maker that allows you to browse through thousands of professional logo templates, and quickly customize one to use for your business.