Software to create decals

[Mike 1017]

My new computer has Ai but no Word. I did use the Try Word for free and with using Ai it worked out to my satisfaction. I don't see spending the $ for Word just to make decals once in a while. Is there any Free Software that I could use to create decals?

Mike

[RancheroSteve]

I usually use Photoshop Elements (a stripped down version of Photoshop) when I need to create decals. Not quite free, but you can pick up older versions on disc very cheaply. There's also a program called Krita which is free and works very much like Photoshop - lots of tools for manipulating images. I have it, but I've only used it sparingly.

[DJMar]

LibreOffice is a free software suite that has their own version of both MS Word and Publisher. If you're used to working in either of those programs, it's a simple and easy switch.

https://www.libreoffice.org/

[Deathgoblin]

I'm a cheapskate.  Use Paint Shop Pro 4 that I got while working for a computer company in the early 2000's.   Does what I need it to. 

[peteski]

If you are planning on doing artwork for more than few custom decals I recommend getting and learning any of the many publishing apps available out there.

Unlike simple word processors or Power Point apps, publishing software gives you much better control of the graphic objects in your design. It also allows shows you the exact sizes of the objects so you can take guesswork and experimenting with resizing the artwork until it fits.  Ability to separate layers is also very helpful. But there is a usually a fairly steep learning curve. However, after you get through that learning curve you will wonder why you were using some primitive software which was never meant for designing things like decal artwork.

Software such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or  a freeware Inkscape will be ideal  for artwork design.  You don't need the latest and greatest versions. Older versions of this software has capabilities more than adequate for the type of work like decal design.  Older versions (including the product key or license) can often be found cheaply on eBay.  Try not to get the student editions but full versions.

I use a very old Corel Draw versions 10 and 12 (these were new over 20 years ago).  I have used Corel Draw since version 3, so that was why I continued to use it.

 

Here  are some samples of scratchpad files I used for designing the decal artwork.

 

 

 

[eran_k]

inkscape is free and quite powerfull