Ever looked at a gorgeous wall art print on Etsy and thought, “Pfft… I can totally make that”?
Well, my friend, you’re absolutely right.
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| Best Tools to Create Digital Art Prints: From Doodles to Dollars! |
Creating digital art prints isn’t some mysterious wizardry reserved for elite artists. It’s a mix of the right tools, a sprinkle of creativity, and a dash of business sense. Whether you’re sketching flowers, designing abstract patterns, or creating cheeky quotes, the tools you choose will make or break your game.
By the way, I’ve been there — starting with a clunky old laptop and free paint software that crashed every five minutes. Fast forward to today, and I’ve got a toolkit so smooth, it feels like magic.
Let’s dive into the best tools to create digital art prints so you can go from “I wish I could” to “I just sold my first print!” 🚀
Why Choosing the Right Tools Matters
Think of your tools as your kitchen knives. Sure, you could cut a tomato with a butter knife, but why torture yourself?
When you’ve got the right software, tablet, and resources, everything just… clicks.
You draw faster, design better, and spend less time fixing mistakes. Plus, good tools help you create art that’s crisp, printable, and sellable.
1. Procreate – The iPad Artist’s Best Friend
If digital art had a prom queen, it would be Procreate.
Why? It’s simple, intuitive, and ridiculously fun to use.
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Platform: iPad (Apple Pencil recommended)
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Best For: Hand-drawn illustrations, lettering, painting
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Why It Rocks:
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Massive brush library
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Smooth Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity
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Time-lapse recording of your art process (hello, Instagram reels!)
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One-time payment — no subscription headaches
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Personal Tip: I once designed a floral art print in Procreate during a train ride. Sold it the same week. Not kidding.
2. Adobe Photoshop – The Industry Giant
Photoshop is like the Swiss Army knife of digital art. Sure, it can edit photos, but when it comes to digital prints, it’s a beast.
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Platform: Windows, Mac
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Best For: Photo-based prints, mixed media, complex designs
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Why It Rocks:
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Powerful layering system
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Custom brushes for painterly effects
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High-res export options
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Works seamlessly with other Adobe apps like Illustrator
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Heads-Up: It has a learning curve, but once you get it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
3. Canva – The Easy-Peasy Designer
Not a “draw from scratch” person? Canva’s your bestie.
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Platform: Web, Mobile
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Best For: Typography prints, minimalist art, quick designs
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Why It Rocks:
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Huge template library
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Drag-and-drop interface
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Free and paid versions available
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Great for beginners with zero design background
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Real Talk: I once made a motivational quote print in Canva in under 10 minutes. Sold 15 copies in a week.
4. Affinity Designer – The Budget-Friendly Pro
Think of Affinity Designer as Photoshop’s cool, affordable cousin.
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Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad
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Best For: Vector art, scalable designs, clean shapes
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Why It Rocks:
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One-time payment (no subscriptions!)
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Professional-grade features
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Works offline
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Smooth performance even on older devices
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5. Adobe Illustrator – Vector Magic
If your art style is bold, crisp, and scalable, Illustrator is your playground.
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Platform: Windows, Mac
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Best For: Vector-based art prints, patterns, logos
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Why It Rocks:
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Infinite scalability without losing quality
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Advanced typography tools
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Huge community and resources
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6. Krita – The Free Hidden Gem
Budget tight? Krita is your knight in shining pixels.
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Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
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Best For: Painting, illustration, comic-style art
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Why It Rocks:
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100% free and open-source
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Gorgeous brush engine
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Professional tools without the price tag
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7. Corel Painter – The Painter’s Paradise
For those who want their art to feel like traditional painting, Corel Painter is perfect.
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Platform: Windows, Mac
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Best For: Realistic painting effects
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Why It Rocks:
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Hundreds of natural media brushes
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Real paint mixing
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Depth and texture simulation
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8. Clip Studio Paint – Comic & Manga Heaven
If you’re into cute, detailed, or comic-style art prints, this is your jam.
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Platform: Windows, Mac, iPad, Android
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Best For: Comics, anime, detailed illustrations
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Why It Rocks:
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Amazing brush customization
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Vector + raster in one file
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Great for stylized prints
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9. iPad + Apple Pencil – The Dynamic Duo
Technically not software, but if you’re serious about digital art prints, this combo is a game-changer.
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Draw anywhere — couch, café, airplane seat
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Pairs beautifully with Procreate, Affinity Designer, and Photoshop
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Natural hand feel for artists
10. Wacom Tablets – The OG Drawing Experience
For desktop warriors, Wacom tablets are still the gold standard.
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Why It Rocks:
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Unmatched pen sensitivity
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Large drawing surface
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Works with almost all design software
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Bonus Tools for Selling Your Digital Prints
Because let’s be honest — making art is one thing, selling it is another.
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Etsy – The go-to marketplace for digital art prints
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Gumroad – Great for direct-to-customer sales
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Creative Market – Ideal for premium buyers
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Print-on-Demand Services (Redbubble, Society6) – Sell without handling printing or shipping
Pro Tips for Creating & Selling Digital Art Prints
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Work in High Resolution – Minimum 300 DPI for print quality
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Save in Multiple Formats – JPG for display, PDF/PNG for download
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Batch Your Work – Create collections for higher perceived value
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Watermark Previews – Protect your work from freebie hunters
FAQ: Quick Answers for Curious Minds
Q: Can I sell art I made with Canva?
A: Yes, but only if you use free elements or licensed pro elements. Avoid selling Canva templates directly as prints.
Q: What’s the best size for digital art prints?
A: Common sizes are 8x10", 11x14", and A4 — but offer multiple sizes for flexibility.
Q: How do I price my prints?
A: Research competitors, factor in your time, and don’t undersell your creativity. $5–$15 is common for digital downloads.
Q: Do I need a copyright?
A: Not necessarily, but it’s wise to add a copyright notice on your listings.
