Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Graphic Design Software

You're ready to launch your career as a graphic designer, but you don't have a huge budget so you're considering free graphic design software, at least until the money starts rolling in. But, you've heard that free software isn't always the good idea it sounds like at first. For some industries, free software works just fine, but for graphic designers it really depends. That's why we've put together this guide to the advantages and disadvantages of free software for graphic designers.

Advantages of Free Software for Graphic Designers

Basic Digital Tools - Most free graphic design software includes access to the basic tools every graphic designer needs to create stunning graphics and design websites, pamphlets, brochures, posters, flyers, and more. There are usually several templates available for each format you're designing, although most of the time the best templates require an additional charge. Features that are often included in free software are an image database (may be quite limited), editing tools, collaboration tools, and an intuitive interface.

High-Quality Graphics and Images - Free design software is often a slimmed-down version of a paid software package, so the quality of the graphics and images you create in the free version is the same as it would be in the paid version. So, you aren't usually sacrificing quality by choosing a free product. This may not always be the case if the software does not offer a paid version, though, so make sure to check out the quality of the graphics and images before you start your first project to make sure it's going to reflect positively on your skills.

Disadvantages of Free Software for Graphic Designers

Hidden Charges - You've probably heard the adage that there's no such thing as a free lunch. In many cases, this is true for graphic design software. Most programs only offer very basic tools for free and require you to pay for more advanced tools. While you might be able to get away with just the basics for small projects, it won't be that way forever. You're probably going to want a template that is only available in the higher packages or you'll need to be able to remove the background of an image, which you can't do on the free version. So, always check the fine print for free software before you start designing.

Non-Unique Designs - Everyone who has access to the free design software has access to the same designs. This means it's very challenging to create unique products for your clients, who may not be very happy if their design looks like everyone else's design. Your professionalism can take a big hit if you're not designing your own graphics from scratch.

Watermarks - Most free design software requires you to use its watermark on your finished projects. You can't use your own watermark and you can't remove the standard one. This makes your projects look unprofessional because it is clear you're using free software.

Conclusion

In the end, you'll probably want a professional graphic design program to have access to all the tools, a full image database, and the ability to remove watermarks. You might not be able to splurge on a paid product right away, but it's to your benefit to upgrade as soon as possible.