Sublimation is a type of printing that uses heat transfer to create designs and images on fabric. If you’ve come across t-shirts with colorful designs, then that’s the work of sublimation printing.
When choosing free sublimation printing software, there are things you need to keep in mind. First, despite being free, it should have enough resources to enable you to create designs. This includes free templates and fonts.
Secondly, the software should be compatible with multiple operating systems. Being limited to only one device could affect how well you create designs. If it has mobile apps, that’s better, as that means you can create designs anywhere.
Finally, it should give you control over what you can do. You should be able to change the size and color of your designs without affecting the overall quality.
With that in mind, let’s now check out the best free sublimation printing software to consider.
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Best Free Sublimation Printing Software Worth Checking Out
1. Canva
First on our list is Canva, a popular free software that is ideal for creating visual content that is hassle-free. Canva can be used by anyone who has an interest; no experience is needed.
This amazing software has several amazing features. You get access to an array of eye-catching free templates, photos, and fonts. With these templates, you can visualize your ideas with ease before bringing them to life.
Additionally, Canva allows collaboration with other team members. With this, you can pool your knowledge to come up with unique sublimation printing designs. You can also drag and drop external files, saving you time and effort.
With over 135 million active monthly users plus over 15 billion created designs, it is evident that Canva doesn’t disappoint.
Additionally, Canva supports the editing of existing files. You can then share the final design with your sublimation printing machine.
But the best bit about Canva is that it has apps for Android and iOS. So you can create designs on the move from any smartphone or tablet.
2. Inkscape
Inkscape is another free sublimation printing software that is compatible with Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux.
It offers an option to create a wide variety of illustrations that are artistic and technical, perfect for attire printing. With this software, you can design cartoons, logos, clip art, etc.
Inkscape uses vector graphics. They offer the sharpest resolutions for your designs. Additionally, its SVG file format is supported by an array of applications.
The software is also beginner-friendly. New users get access to several learning materials to help them get started right away.
Furthermore, Inkscape offers various tools such as object creation, object manipulation, fill, and stroke, among others. In addition to this, there are other Inkscape shortcut commands like import and export.
Examples of file formats you can import and export include AI, SVG, PNG, PDF, PS, and EPS. It also uses programming languages like Python and Scheme.
3. GIMP
GIMP is a GNU image manipulation program that is available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, plus several other OS.
The software provides graphic designers, photographers, and illustrators with image editing tools at no cost. GIMP also has a multilingual system with languages such as C, C++, Scheme, Python, etc.
Additionally, if you are looking for top-quality color management features, then GIMP is your go-to software. Furthermore, GIMP provides you with several customization options thanks to its third party plug-ins.
With GIMP’s retouching, restoring, and creative composites, you can create over-the-top pieces with only your imagination being your limit. GIMPS’s graphic design elements will also help you come up with iconic apparel designs that stand out.
In addition to its amazing design components, GIMP also has a FAQ page tailored to answer all your questions. The software is also one of the few here that has wide support for third party plugins.
Also Read: Photopea vs GIMP
4. Krita
Krita is another image sublimation printing software that dates back to 1998. That makes it one of the oldest options on our list. Over that time, it has undergone many changes to the free and versatile tool that it is today.
History aside, what are the specific features that make Krita perfect for making sublimation printing designs?
First, the clean and flexible interface makes it user-friendly software that makes your work easier. You can move and customize your panels to fit your workflow.
The learning curve is not that steep either, so any newbie can navigate around and understand functionalities within minutes.
Additionally, Krita allows you to create your own shortcuts for common tools such as dark and light color themes. For a good range of effects, you can use Krita’s skillfully made brushes that are available for free.
Furthermore, Krita has built-in vector tools that come in handy for creating comic panels. There’s even a productivity feature called drawing assistant that makes your creation work even easier.
Other Krita production features include layer management, full-color management, PSD support, HDR painting, and training resources, among others.
Besides Windows, you can use Krita on Android and macOS.
Discover more Krita-like tools here.
5. Lunacy
Lunacy has a very animated website design. Like all the other free sublimation printing software, it helps users create all types of designs from scratch. However, it’s one of the few ones here that offers AI tools.
Another helpful Lunacy feature is the auto layout. It lets you create designs by simply defining the rules to be followed. This is a game changer for sublimation designers with a bulky workload but limited time.
Additionally, Lunacy allows you to work in both online and offline modes. This means that you can work anywhere, even in a cabin in the woods. Lunacy also allows real-time collaboration with your team members.
You can also turn your designs into clickable prototypes using Lunacy’s prototyping feature. With this, testing your designs beforehand becomes faster. You get to see the mockups of how the final design would look like.
Some of Lunacy’s AI functions include Image Upscaler, which allows image enlargement in order to enhance resolution.
There’s also a background remover that turns any photo background transparent. Other helpful AI functions include text and avatar generators.
The only mobile platform supported by Lunacy is iOS.
6. Vectr
Vectr is a simple but powerful free graphics editor that sublimation printing enthusiasts can use for designing. As the name suggests, it deals with vectors, which are usually sharper and compatible with a multitude of software.
The tool is easy to use and faster to learn. So you can figure out the core functionalities without much help.
Vectr also allows real-time collaboration. All you have to do is share your URL so others can watch you create or tweak your designs. Furthermore, they can also participate while offering you feedback on the same.
The sublimation printing software also allows the scaling of graphics without losing clarity. This means your final designs with Vectr will always come out crisp and clean.
Vectr also makes use of AI to aid in your process. The feature is not only time-saving but very easy to use.
All you have to do is give editing instructions, then watch them get executed in no time. It’s the kind of feature designed to benefit people handling huge loads of sublimation printing.
There’s a chat feature, too, that facilitates communication. This speeds up collaboration tasks since feedback and suggestions are instant. There’s very little back and forth.
Finally, there is a user guide for all new graphic designers unfamiliar with Vectr.
7. Printful Design Maker
If you want to create amazing mockups that you can keep using for subsequent prints, then try Printful Design Maker.
With just a few clicks, you can turn your 2D design into a 3D product. You can preview and download your mockup, saving you time and money.
Additionally, Printful Design Maker lets you experiment with trendy designs. It constantly provides new design updates, giving you access to fresh styles. You even get to test new designs and add them to your template collections.
Printful Design Maker has an in-built text design tool. It allows you to transform text into different shapes and colors depending on the nature of your sublimation print.
Furthermore, this software has a wide selection of pre-designed templates and clip art you can use for quick designs.
There’s a detailed help center for new users. You’ll come across FAQs, tutorials, and blogs with vital guides.
8. SketchUp
SketchUp offers 3D modeling. You get to visualize and bring your 3D designs to life. With just a few clicks, you can create breathtaking artwork that makes your apparel pop.
Like a few of the software we’ve already discussed, collaboration is also possible with SketchUp. You get to create your masterpiece and share it with the world while getting positive feedback for improvement. This is made possible by its 10GB of Trimble Connect cloud storage.
Additionally, SketchUp allows you to customize your 3D workspace with its array of professionally developed extensions. All it takes is a simple tap of the mouse, and you see in real-time what the final output will look like.
Once you have achieved your desired design with SketchUp, you can proceed to share it with your sublimation machine for printing.
Explore SketchUp Alternatives For iPad here.
9. SumoPaint
SumoPaint is the ultimate drawing and printing software for any budding graphic designer looking for a sublimation alternative. With over 300 brushes, you can draw your pictures and combine them with filters, symbols, text, and other editing tools.
The software even supports 3D models. You’re provided with a variety of effects to aid in building and printing 3D models. That means you don’t have to be a 3D expert to pull this off.
On top of this, SumoPaint has an easy-to-use interface with colorful backgrounds.
Other amazing features include SumoPhoto and SumoPixel. SumoPhoto helps you quickly edit your photos through a library of filters, effects, and elements. The Sumo Pixel editor has a symmetry tool that makes it easy for you to achieve top-notch pixel art.
These two combine very well to add variety to your sublimation designs. But what sets SumoPaint apart from the rest is the richness of color. If you use a high-resolution screen like the Apple Retina, you’ll get the best results.
10. Easel.ly
While Easl.ly isn’t free, the cheapest plan only costs $2 per month. This is almost free, considering the premium features you’ll have access to.
The software is trusted by over six million people. This software provides you with thousands of templates that you can choose from as you begin your process.
Easel.ly is also an intuitive and user-friendly software. It’s been recommended by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) as being suitable even for a sixth grader.
The software understands that its users might have questions from time to time. It has a support team ready to answer questions and concerns.
But the standout aspect of Easel.ly is how versatile it is. You’re not just limited to making sublimation printing designs. Every graphic design element can be made with this tool at a fraction of the price of costlier premium alternatives.
You can always upgrade your subscription at any time using these price plans to access more resources.
Explore: Krita vs GIMP
11. Photopea
One thing that makes Photopea reliable is that it’s fully online. So, there’s no need to download software to your device. Additionally, you can use it on the go on different devices. As long as they can access the internet through browsers.
The site is easy to use. Every functionality is clearly labeled in a way that makes things easy, even for newbies. The background is also dark, making it easy on the eye for long hours of design work.
You can import or drag and drop files into Photopea directly from your device. Additionally, there are hundreds of free templates you can tweak to suit your sublimation printing needs. But it’s the types of file formats supported on Photopea that make it a good alternative.
You can edit PSD, AI, XD, FIG, sketch, PDF, and RAW files without losing any quality. All these are file formats from premium tools like Adobe Photoshop.
Additionally, you can save your final designs on Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox automatically. This minimizes the chances of you losing your work after spending too many hours on it.
Explore the best alternatives to Photopea here.
Final Word
If you’ve been thinking of creating tantalizing designs for your sublimation printing, these options should help you nail it.
Besides being free, they have a gentle learning curve. So you don’t need to be an expert designer. A working computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection is all you need.
That said, pay attention to the factors we mentioned earlier. It will help make the right choice.
If you ask me, Canva is my recommendation due to its resourcefulness.
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