You can create designs with any program, as long as the file you upload meets our Accepted File Requirements. This page offers a selection of programs and online platforms for designing, but a simple internet search will link you to all sorts of resources to match your distinct learning style. Listing here is not an endorsement by Spoonflower but we do fancy our Design Tools, our Blog, and Videos and Tutorials, so be certain to review those!
Programs
- Adobe - offering Photoshop for image creation and editing and Illustrator for vector drawing
- Affinity Designer - offering vector and raster design tools
- Art Rage - realistic art painting, oils, chalk, etc. (an earlier version is offered for free)
- Canva - online design program
- Convert My Image - online conversion site to create JPGs from other file types
- COLOURlovers - design program full of free pattern templates
- Gimp - photoshop-like program
- Inkscape - vector drawing program
- Paint.NET - photoshop-like program
- PicMonkey - edit your own photos, or use their clipart and text to make something brand new
- Pixlr - online photo editing tool with design options
- Procreate - a complete art studio you can take anywhere, on any device
- Sketchbook - drawing program for desktop, tablet, or mobile
Blogs and Websites
- Design Sponge - "How to Make a Repeat Pattern"
- Digital Arts - 31 tips to help with repeating pattern designs
- Vectortuts Beginners Guide - A beginners guide textile design printing. Learn how to prepare a basic vector file for digital textile printing using Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Vectortuts Directory - directory offering tutorials for various design programs
Books
- Adobe Photoshop for Textile Design
- Digital Textile Design
- A Field Guide to Fabric Design
- Mastering the Art of Digital Textile Design