Many creators face one common problem when they start a POD business. Their designs do not look clean or professional. The final print often looks dull or blurry.
In most cases, the issue is the tools. Some tools export low-resolution images. Others do not support vector graphics. When designs are resized, the quality drops.
This is why print on demand design tools matter. These tools help you create print-ready artwork that stays sharp at any size. The best options include ready-made templates, vector support, commercial-use graphics, and mockup previews made for POD sellers.
In this guide, you will find the best design tools for print on demand that can be used to create different styles, budgets, and workflows.
How to Choose a POD Design Tool
Different print on demand design tools suit different creative needs and design projects. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your needs and make a choice based on that.
Here are the key things to look for when choosing the best print on demand design tools for your workflow:
- Vector vs. Raster Tools
Vector graphics use paths, not pixels. This means they scale without losing quality. They work best for printables, logos, and text designs.
Raster graphics like PNG and JPG use pixels. They are great for photos and textured designs. However, they can look blurry when resized. If you use raster designs, choose a tool that supports high-resolution exports.
- Ease of Use
Some print on demand design tools are made for beginners. They use drag-and-drop editing and simple controls. Advanced tools offer more control over shapes, colors, and effects. Before choosing a print on demand design tool, think about how easy it is to use and how much time you want to spend learning it.
- Budget and Learning Curve
Free print on demand design tools are budget-friendly and easy to learn. They are ideal for beginners. Paid tools offer advanced features and more flexibility. However, they often have a steeper learning curve.
Also Read:
Beginner-Friendly POD Design Tools for Quick and Easy Creation
These print on demand design tools are ideal for beginners. They help sellers create simple designs without learning complex software.
1. Canva
Best For: Quick social media graphics, quote shirts, and clip art
Canva is one of the easiest design tools for print on demand beginners. It lets you create and sell designs using ready-made templates. You can use these templates for t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more.
Canva’s drag-and-drop editor makes design simple and is one of the best print on demand design tools for non-designers. You can easily add text, shapes, and clip art for designing and making money with Canva. The result looks clean and professional.
Key Features
- Large library of graphics you can use for commercial designs
- More than 4.5 million templates
- Templates work for both print and digital products
- Download designs as transparent PNG files
Pricing
- Free plan available, paid pricing starts at $15/month
Learning Curve
- Very easy to use, with a low learning curve for advanced functionality
2. Podbase
Best For: Direct, in-app POD design creation and instant sizing and margin checks.
Podbase is one of the best print on demand design tools for creators. It is built for POD selling.
You can design products directly on the POD site. There is no need to switch tools.
Podbase connects with the product catalog. It also has a built-in mockup generator. This lets you preview real product images before you sell.
Key Features
- The tool includes a built-in editor for POD products
- You can see the product preview while you design
- The tool supports many popular and new tech items
- Large POD product catalog connected to the editor
Pricing
- Free to start, you only pay when orders are placed
Learning Curve
- Easy to use for print designs
3. Placeit
Best For: High-quality merch mockups, product designs, and logo creation
If you want print on demand design tools for clean and professional designs, Placeit is a great option.
Placeit offers a large library of mockups, videos, images, and templates. You can use them to create POD designs fast.
The interface is simple and easy to use. All elements are customizable. You do not need design skills or technical experience.
Key Features
- The tool has over 160,000 mockups with real people
- You can use video templates for social media platforms
- The editor works with simple drag-and-drop actions
- You can preview mockups for many POD products
Pricing
- No free plan. It offers an unlimited subscription package that starts at $7.47/month
Learning Curve
- Very low learning curve for basic design and customization
4. Kittl
Best For: AI-powered image generation and detailed text-based designs for branding
This is one of the well-known AI design tools for print on demand for designers, sellers, and brands.
Kittl blends pro design features with AI tools. You can use it for product designs, brand assets, mockups, and marketing visuals.
It also offers curated templates and ready-made mockups. These features of a print on demand design tools help you start faster and create POD designs with ease.
Key Features
- Helps create styled typography
- AI tools for print on demand design
- Vector editing keeps artwork types sharp and clean.
- You also get retro-style graphics
Pricing
- Free plan available. Paid pricing starts at $15/month
Learning Curve
- Quick learning curve for beginners and professionals
Also Read:
Professional & Industry-Standard Vector Tools
If you sell POD products at scale, these print on demand design tools can help. They offer advanced features. These features support large volumes and scalable designs.
5. Adobe Illustrator
Best For: Creating crisp, original vector art for professional designers
Adobe Illustrator is a popular print on demand design tool. Many creators and designers use it to make scalable artwork in various sizes.
It helps you control shapes and colors. You can make designs that stay sharp at any size.
Illustrator also has better color tools and easy cropping. It can adjust designs quickly. AI features help you create high-quality designs faster.
Key Features
- Text to Vector Graphic for generating editable vector illustrations
- Built-in tools for icons, charts, lettering, banners, and complex logo creation
- Generative Expand for instant resizing, adding bleed, and exploring design variations
- Smooth gradient tool with preset transitions
Pricing
Adobe Illustrator offers pricing plans tailored to individuals and businesses. Pricing starts at $22.99/month for individuals and $37.99/month per license for businesses.
Learning Curve
- Steep learning curve due to advanced, professional-level features
6. Figma
Best For: Collaborative design, prototyping, and complex layout for pattern-based POD products
If you want print on demand design tools with strong design and collaboration features, Figma is a good choice. It lets creators explore design ideas, build prototypes, and stay organized while designing.
Teams or partners can work together on different designs at the same time. This helps keep the workflow fast and smooth.
Key Features
- The tool has strong prototyping tools
- Auto layout adjusts designs when you resize them
- You can create repeat patterns and full-bleed designs
- Figma Draw lets you make vector art and includes creative brush tools
Pricing
- Free starter plan. Paid plans start at $5/month for a collaboration seat and $20/month for a full seat.
Learning Curve
- Moderate learning curve, especially for users new to structured layout design
7. Vectr
Best For: Creating professional logos, icons, and illustrations
Vectr is a cloud-based print on demand design tool. It makes creating scalable graphics, logos, and illustrations simple.
You can turn images into vectors. You can also generate logos or use AI tools. These help you make precise vector designs easily.
Key Features
- Cloud-based SVG editor to create scalable graphics
- Your designs sync across devices
- You can convert raster images to vectors
- Magic Edit tools let you retouch, replace, or change images easily
Pricing
- Vectr’s pricing plans start at $3.99/month
Learning Curve
- Easy to use with a minimal learning curve
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Specialty & Raster-Focused Tools
Here’s a list of raster-based print on demand design tools ideal for hand-drawn art and creating designs with advanced shading or textures.
8. Adobe Photoshop
Best For: Creating realistic textures, shading, and detailed designs
Adobe Photoshop is a professional raster graphics editor for creating and editing high-resolution images. It lets you retouch photos, add textures, apply shading, and combine multiple elements into one design for print-on-demand items.
Key Features
- Advanced image adjustments for temperature, tint, and color balance
- Precision tools for painting, drawing, retouching, and visual effects
- Firefly Boards for ideation and generating multiple iterations on one canvas
- Customizable brushes and textures for detailed raster (pixel) designs and photo tees
Pricing
Adobe Photoshop’s individual plan starts at $22.99/month. Team and business plans start at $37.99/month per license.
Learning Curve
- Steep learning curve
9. Procreate
Best For: Hand-drawn illustrations and artwork for iPad only
Procreate is a popular print on demand design tool. Many digital artists and POD sellers use it.
It is great for hand-drawn artwork. The touch interface is easy to use. The brush engine is powerful. You can create illustrations, textures, and custom designs quickly and easily.
Key Features
- 300+ variety of brushes with different textures
- High-resolution canvas for print-ready designs
- Layer-based editing with blending options
- Color control and palette management for print and digital arts
Pricing
- One-time purchase of $12.99 from the App Store
Learning Curve
- Beginner-friendly with a minimal learning curve
10. GIMP
Best For: Raster graphics and texture work
GIMP is a free, open-source print on demand design tool. It is great for creators who want advanced raster editing without paying for premium software.
The interface may look different at first, but it allows you to create advanced designs and hand-drawn effects. These are perfect for POD products.
Here are the main features GIMP offers compared to other print on demand design tools.
Key Features
- Full-featured photo manipulation and raster editing capabilities
- High-quality image retouching and restoration
- Original artwork creation from photos or blank canvases
- Graphic design element production for digital and print
Pricing
- Completely free to use
Learning Curve
- Moderate learning curve due to its interface
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Choose the Best Print on Demand Design Tools for Your Brand
The good news is that whether you’re a beginner or a professional or are looking for good AI tools for print on demand design there are reliable print on demand design tools that can meet your needs.
A good rule of thumb would be to start with Podbase or tools like Canva for better flexibility to practice and grow, then gradually explore more advanced features as you scale your business.
This way, you can test different print design ideas, streamline your workflow, and scale your POD business with ease.
Saulius Meilutis is the CEO of Podbase, helping creators and entrepreneurs monetize their ideas with print-on-demand. He shares insights on eCommerce, growth, and building lean online businesses.
