The Best Software for Printing Businesses and Why Vector Artwork Still Reigns Supreme

In professional printing, your results are only as good as your artwork. Whether you’re producing DTF, DTG, UV, or screen prints, clean vector graphics make all the difference between a sharp finish and a fuzzy edge, especially in DTF printing.

Today, there’s more choice than ever when it comes to print-ready design software, from industry-standard paid tools to new professional options that are completely free.

Why Vectors Are Essential for Print

Vector graphics use mathematical paths, not pixels, to define shapes and colour. This makes them infinitely scalable, ensuring artwork remains crisp at any size, ideal for printing logos, garment graphics, signage, and packaging.

DTF printers and RIP software handle vector data more efficiently, producing:

• Sharper edges and lines

• Cleaner gradients and colour transitions

• More predictable colour reproduction across substrates

Essential File Formats for Print

Not all formats are created equal. To avoid costly rework or misprints, it’s best to stick to open, widely supported formats that maintain vector data.

Format	Best For	Notes
AI (Adobe Illustrator)	Industry standard, excellent for complex designs	Locked to Adobe ecosystem
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)	Web and print flexibility	Open format, lightweight
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)	Screen and signage work	Legacy format, limited modern effects
PDF (Portable Document Format)	Proofs and production files	Preserves vector data and colours
CDR (CorelDRAW)	Signage and embroidery	Less universal outside Corel

Big News: Affinity Software Now Free

The design world was shaken when Canva announced that Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher, all professional-grade creative tools, are now free at baseline level.

For printing businesses, including DTF printers, this means:

• No subscription barrier

• Full access to pro-level tools

• Compatibility with vector formats like SVG, PDF, and EPS

It’s a major opportunity for start-ups, freelancers, and print shops to access professional software without ongoing costs. Some premium features (such as advanced AI tools) remain in the paid tier, but the core creative power is entirely free.

Paid Vector Software for Professionals

Software	Pros	Cons	Formats Supported
Adobe Illustrator	Deep feature set, industry-wide standard, colour-accurate PDFs	Expensive, subscription-only	AI, PDF, SVG, EPS, DXF
CorelDRAW	Ideal for signage, embroidery, wide format; one-off licence available	Less modern interface, Mac version weaker	CDR, AI, PDF, EPS, SVG
Affinity (Pro)	Fast, cross-platform, affordable upgrade	Some print controls gated	SVG, PDF, AI (import), EPS
Vectr	Easy to learn, browser collaboration	Limited tools, less powerful	SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG

For established print teams, Illustrator and CorelDRAW remain trusted, while Affinity Pro is rapidly becoming a cost-effective alternative.

Free Vector Tools Worth Trying

Software	Pros	Cons	Formats Supported
Affinity (Free Baseline)	Professional UI, full export options	Some features behind paywall	SVG, PDF, AI (import), EPS
Inkscape	Open source, strong SVG support, active community	Slower with large files	SVG, PDF, EPS, AI (import)
Boxy SVG	Browser and Linux versions free, modern interface	Limited animation, some paid tiers	SVG, PDF, PNG, JPEG, WebP

If you’re testing workflows or training staff, these are excellent low-risk starting points.

Subscription vs. One-Off Licences

Subscription fatigue is a growing concern across the print industry. Many professionals want to own their software outright, without being tied to ongoing monthly payments.

However, subscriptions bring advantages, automatic updates, cloud storage, and team collaboration, making them worthwhile for larger design departments.

The rise of one-off licence models, like Affinity’s, offers flexibility for smaller teams wanting professional tools without recurring costs.

Tips for Print Professionals

✅ Use software that exports clean vector data compatible with your printer or RIP software.✅ Always test file exports — transparency and gradients can render differently between tools.✅ Choose open formats (SVG, PDF) for consistent cross-platform compatibility.✅ Explore Affinity’s new free suite before committing to a premium plan.

Final Thoughts

In print, precision is everything and it starts with your artwork. Whether you use Adobe, CorelDRAW, or Affinity, the key is maintaining clean, scalable vector data throughout your workflow.

Investing time in the right tools now means fewer print issues, sharper results, and more consistent colour output later.

At Resolute, we understand how critical file preparation is to perfect prints, that’s why we always recommend starting with vectors. Have more questions? Get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team here…