Best Graphic Design Software???

[Mac2004]

I want to start a graphic design (desktop publishing) business out of my home designing flyers, stationary, business cards, promotional cards, business ads, newsletters, etc. I use a 27 inch iMac. Which graphic design software program is the best one to buy for this? I want a program that has been thoroughly tested and is highly rated among graphic designers and software reviewers. What do print places use?

 

[maflynn]

Check out the offerings from Adobe and I suppose, you can use staples, or officemax for most of your printing needs.

 

[firedept]

I have been in the printing industry a long time. We use Adobe Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop.

 

[RedOrchestra]

Adobe Creative Suite is the industry standard - unfortunately NOW it's only available through the cloud at $50/month.

 

[Mac2004]

Screw the "Cloud"..... I want a disc that I can buy.

 

[maflynn]

Screw the "Cloud"..... I want a disc that I can buy.

Look for the older versions on ebay then.

Also check out idraw, and sketch for illustrator competitors.

For a photoshop replacement, pixelmator.

for indesign replacement QuarkXPress

 

[RedOrchestra]

I'm not sure how much luck you'll have finding a disk - ebay?

Even before Adobe went the cloud route, I think the only place to buy CS6 "resident software" was online (that's how I had to buy mine) - but look around.

In fact, they are no longer numbering their releases - it's now only known as Adobe CC (Creative Cloud.)

Just saw a Legacy Edition for Mac on Amazon for $2,300!

 

[rei101]

I want to start a graphic design (desktop publishing) business out of my home designing flyers, stationary, business cards, promotional cards, business ads, newsletters, etc. I use a 27 inch iMac. Which graphic design software program is the best one to buy for this? I want a program that has been thoroughly tested and is highly rated among graphic designers and software reviewers. What do print places use?

Illustrator and Photoshop CS6

But, are you a graphic designer? It does not looks like. How come are you going to start a business if you do not know the difference between CMYK and RGB? Or resolutions?

I am saying because if you were a graphic designer you already knew those softwares.

 

[Artofilm]

Ya I'd have to agree with rei101 here. If you plan to be a graphic designer, you'll need to get some education on the software(s) before you start selling your abilities as a service.

There are usually after-work classes at your local college you can take to study on a topic like graphic design.

 

[bakechad]

Since you are just starting out and not tied to any particular piece of software, you might want to take a look at Inkscape. While it is not in the same league as some of the other software mentioned here, it is open source and does an excellent job at the tasks you have listed. This way you can get your feet wet without putting out a bunch of money in software and training.

http://inkscape.org/

 

[AppleCore77]

Check Best Buy for CS6 disks. They possibly still have them. You can also still buy them straight from Adobe website.



But Adobe is the go to software!

 

[brown1]

I want to start a graphic design (desktop publishing) business out of my home designing flyers, stationary, business cards, promotional cards, business ads, newsletters, etc. I use a 27 inch iMac. Which graphic design software program is the best one to buy for this? I want a program that has been thoroughly tested and is highly rated among graphic designers and software reviewers. What do print places use?

hoping you can help? I'm starting up my own printing business - what software did you find the most useful on initial setup? and did you change?