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

[Exotics_Builder]

10 hours ago, peteski said:

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.

 

 

 

CorelDRAW is what I use.

[Jim Dodson]

Peteski, I see you are using Print White as a command. What printer are you using that prints white? Thanks, Jim D.

[MeatMan]

Inkscape for me too, and check out this guy for instruction.

https://www.youtube.com/@LogosByNick

[peteski]

4 hours ago, Jim Dodson said:

Peteski, I see you are using Print White as a command. What printer are you using that prints white? Thanks, Jim D.

The ancient Alps MD-5000.  There is a online group for Alps owners with about 2400 members. I'm one of the groups owners. https://alps.groups.io/g/ALPS/

[Mike C]

Try this, Adobe Photoshop CS2

https://www.snapfiles.com/get/photoshopcs2.html

[Straightliner59]

For a free Word compatible program, I use Open Office. It's a full office suite. I have access to MS Office, and use Open Office, instead. I have been using PhotoImpact Pro (unfortunately no longer available, except for used versions) for about 20 years, now. I really like it. I'm sure discs could be found on Ebay.

[Jim Dodson]

19 hours ago, peteski said:

The ancient Alps MD-5000.  There is a online group for Alps owners with about 2400 members. I'm one of the groups owners. https://alps.groups.io/g/ALPS/

Peter, thank you for your reply, Jim D.

[peteski]

Best decal design software is vector based (with a capability to also include bitmaps). Vector graphics (which are type of CAD type drawings) are much easier to manipulate and will not lose resolution if manipulated.  Photoshop (and freeware GIMP) are mainly bitmap manipulation apps, so while they can be used to produce decal artwork, they are not optimal.

Here is a brief AI generated (but accurate) definition of both formats:

Vector graphics use mathematical equations to create lines and curves, which allows them to be scaled infinitely without losing quality, making them ideal for logos and illustrations. In contrast, bitmaps are made of pixels and are resolution-dependent, so scaling them up results in pixelation or blurriness

[Chariots of Fire]

Got an old Micro Graphx program that is vector based and works great.  Probably takes a step or two more to do some of the creating but I can create all of the decals I have ever needed with.  M-G was taken over by Corel Draw.

[Xingu]

On 11/1/2025 at 2:13 PM, DJMar said:

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/

I second this as an alternative to Word. Although slightly different, it is basically an open source version of Word.

[robdebie]

Vector graphics are the way to go, not a shred of a doubt in my mind about that. I use CorelDraw, any old version will do. Here's one example, where I used a set of scaled drawings as my 'sketching board'. The next step was trying a b&w print on the model itself, followed by a few corrections to decal sizes. Third and last step so far: the printed set, outsourced to SpotModel in Spain.

Rob

[Russell C]

13 hours ago, robdebie said:

Vector graphics are the way to go, not a shred of a doubt in my mind about that. I use CorelDraw....

Ditto, it's what I used back in the late 1990s for the graphics on my top fuel 4x4, but at that time, I only had the resources of white peel & stick injet printer paper. What I should do one of these days is peel those off and get real decals printed for me, I still have the Corel file. But I also cheat here, in a way - back in graphic arts school, it took me months to learn how to draw in Adobe Illustrator, and later at my first graphics job how to switch over to Corel. I keep my hand in it occasionally, so as not let my skills get too rusty. So, while such vector art software is the ultimate for getting exactly what you want, the uphill struggle is learning how to use it. Once you do learn, the sky's the limit on what you can create.

[OldNYJim]

This is a great new, fully free tool for Windows and Mac that allows you to create vector graphics:

https://www.affinity.studio/

I prefer the tools by Adobe having used them for years, but this is the best I’ve found that doesn’t cost

[robdebie]

2 hours ago, Russell C said:

So, while such vector art software is the ultimate for getting exactly what you want, the uphill struggle is learning how to use it.

Yes, I admit that it takes an effort to learn it. I my case, way back, I struggled with the tutorials included in CorelDraw 9. But then I got a book (how old fashioned) and everything became easy! The biggest difference was mostly that the book had pictures of the icons to use, whereas the tutorial merely mentioned the icon's name, at a point where I knew nothing, so I could not find those icons.

I'm not saying you need a book, but you do need to find a tutorial that fits you.

By coincidence I'm preparing a club presentation for next month, showing a few basic operations in CorelDraw, drawing a few things 'live' using a beamer. My intention is to have the club members judge for themselves whether they could it too.

Rob

[SpeedAndViolence]

9 hours ago, robdebie said:

Yes, I admit that it takes an effort to learn it. I my case, way back, I struggled with the tutorials included in CorelDraw 9. But then I got a book (how old fashioned) and everything became easy! The biggest difference was mostly that the book had pictures of the icons to use, whereas the tutorial merely mentioned the icon's name, at a point where I knew nothing, so I could not find those icons.

I'm not saying you need a book, but you do need to find a tutorial that fits you.

By coincidence I'm preparing a club presentation for next month, showing a few basic operations in CorelDraw, drawing a few things 'live' using a beamer. My intention is to have the club members judge for themselves whether they could it too.

Rob

It would fantastic, if you opted to record it and upload it to YT, and then share the link here. Just a thought..... 😁

[robdebie]

3 hours ago, SpeedAndViolence said:

It would fantastic, if you opted to record it and upload it to YT, and then share the link here. Just a thought..... 😁

Ah.. Never considered that.. The basic idea of doing presentations at our club meetings is 1. to learn from each other and 2. to make the meetings more interesting. If we publish the presentations, goal #2 is lost. Plus, if we would record the presentations, I'm sure we'll have a even more difficult time finding presentors. It's pretty horrible for an amateur speaker to see yourself back on video 🙂 Plus all the extra work with recording and editing..  I think I found enough arguments to say no to the idea  🙂

Rob

[Pico]

Inkscape!

[Straightliner59]

18 minutes ago, robdebie said:

Ah.. Never considered that.. The basic idea of doing presentations at our club meetings is 1. to learn from each other and 2. to make the meetings more interesting. If we publish the presentations, goal #2 is lost. Plus, if we would record the presentations, I'm sure we'll have a even more difficult time finding presentors. It's pretty horrible for an amateur speaker to see yourself back on video 🙂 Plus all the extra work with recording and editing..  I think I found enough arguments to say no to the idea  🙂

Rob

That's more reasons than I would have needed!😂