Evgenia Papicheva, Author at The Designest

45+ Best Pin Mockup Templates📌(Free & Paid)

Evgenia Papicheva — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 13:49:27 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Many of us can remember ourselves passionately collecting various stuff: stamps, stickers, caps, and pins, of course. Buying, trading or winning them — a whole challenge to get one of these in your collection! Everything depended on the image and it was a disaster to have two identical ones. Now, as you’ve grown up, let’s turn your attention to collecting pin mockup templates, which won’t be less fun.

Essential Pin Mockups

Metal Pin Mockup Scene

Enamel Pins Mockup Scene

Sweatshirt with Pins Mockup Scene

Metallic Enamel Pin Badge Mockup

Rectangle Badge Mockups

Wood Enamel Pin Paper Mockup

elements.envato.com

Compared with other types of design templates, a pin or button mockup is a more ingenious way to present your work. Various mugs, bags and stickers are so wide-spread that it’s gone tricky to pick something special for showcasing one’s designs. So badge mockup templates have come in use, and with an abundance of styles, you’ll easily find something to fit your current project.

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Button Badge Mockup

Do you want your badges laying still or epically floating in the air? Take your time to decide that when you make adjustments to the PSD mockup itself. Add your designs to see it obtaining a realistic metallic gloss on the round edges. Choose the position of your badge between 3 scenes in the set (scenes with flying and laying badges) to enhance its aesthetics! This pin mockup would be a nice cute option to use when you decide to showcase a logotype, illustration, maybe a crafted texture or pattern.

Pin mockups create an enabling decor for your illustrations, patterns, textures, and, sure thing, logos. Also, they can free you from shooting if you’re producing and selling merchandise — so many kinds of them are featured in the selection. Round, square, flat and even enamel pin mockup templates — we haven’t missed anything.

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Metal Pin Template — Text and Logo Mockups

This lapel pin mockup set is an item your toolbox won’t do without. Choose between table or jeans texture and pick one of 9 badge mockups for your branding and identity presentational designs. The graphic comes in PSD format and you can easily customize this enamel pin design according to your needs with the use of Smart Objects. A rich variety of resources in this pin button mockup pack enable it to meet all your requirements. Give your designs real sticking power with these enamel pins.

Button Pin Mockup

Square Button Mockup

Present your designs with this pin badge mockup. Due to its high resolution, the template looks photorealistic and so will your result! You can use it for print, portfolio, showcase, ads, banners, background and more. The Smart Objects of the pin button mockup make it easy to put your artwork inside of the template and customize every detail. All you need for working with it is your creative ideas, the mockup will get the rest of the job done.

Simple Enamel Pin

Metallic Pin Badges Scenes

Discover the unique way of displaying your logos, emblems or monograms with these pin button mockups! Strive for the impressive results with 2 premade scenes coming in the package. Just drag and drop your illustrations into the Smart layer and the result is ready. It also offers distinct pin color options: silver, copper or golden shades. The backing cards’ color is changeable as well so you can customize each little detail. Even if you leave the details be as they initially are, the setting is already made the way it looks great!

Pin Badge Mockups

Metal Button Mockup

Don’t you find showcasing your brand identity with a small badge on your suit or shirt a great way to attract your clients? Meet the photorealistic metal pin mockup that is perfect to pin and display your brand icon, a quick slogan you support, an event, personal celebration, background or your logo. It can be a soft enamel pin mockup or a storng metal ones, depends on your project. The mockup features the Smart Objects that facilitate your work and save your time and effort: you just put your images inside them and the work is done!

Enamel Pin on Fabric Logo Mockup

Metallic Enamel Pin Mockups

There are so many things to discover in the package! Apart from the isolated high-quality enamel pin design itself, there are 6 themed scenes demonstrating the pins in all their glory. Besides, some backgrounds are available as separate PSD files, so add 5 textures to the product’s value. Due to the Smart Object included in each pin button mockup you can customize them easily: you just put your image inside of it and you are done. So, if you have no inspiration and ideas on what should you do to finish your own design, you can find them in this set of enamel pins.

Free Pin Button Mockup

Pin Pals — Enamel Badge Creator

This stunning enamel pin mockup generator will help you to create badges with ease! This handy, time-saving shortcut features a variety of Affinity Styles, which transform vector shapes and text in an instant. This cute and soft enamel pin mockup allows you to convert flat, lifeless shapes into realistic-looking badges giving them that iconic 3D enamel look! Due to the Smart Objects, you will be able to drag and drop your logos and images inside the template in seconds and get different pin designs to find the perfect one.

Pin Button Badge Mockup

Enamel Pin Mockup Generator

Make your presentation even more attractive with over 32 styles of a Enamel Pin Mockups Generator from MrMockup! To give you a better start, they have crafted some premade scenes and templates ready to use. Just replace the design in the Smart Object layer of the pin button mockup, hit save and you are done. It’s a very versatile tool, you can create multiple designs in different styles to best fit your vision: form soft enamel pin mockup to bolg and grungy pin design. It is a perfect template to use as a background or to showcase your logos, texts, images or photos and make it in a memorable way.

Pin Design Mockup

Pin Button Mockup

Introducing a pin badge mockup that is a real treasure for all the designers out there. It can be used as a background or a promotional item in your branding and any design presentations. The graphic comes in PSD format and you can customize it in no time according to your needs with the use of the Smart Objects. You just put your artwork inside them and get the result!

Enamel Pin Mockup Bundle

Two Metallic Button Pins Mockup

Time to showcase your artworks! These photorealistic pin mockups enable you to get an outstanding result in no time. There are Smart Objects on pins with a round mask inside to help you adjust your design. These two pins also include the color options for each parts of the badge so you can customize it according to your likings. No matter what are you working on at the moment: ads, prints, cards, posters, illustrations — you’ll be able to present it to your customers in a remarkable way.

Circle Button Pin Template

Rectangle Button Mockup

Did you collect badges in your childhood? It is time to collect them to your toolbox now! However, this time you can choose the image on them and change it whenever you want! Cool, isn’t it? This pin button mockup is ideal for presenting your badge design in seconds. You can use it as a background or for prints, portfolios, ads, banners and more. Organized and named layers make it easy to customize every detail of the template. All you have to do is enjoy your work!

Silver Pin Badge Mockup

Enamel Pin Mockup Set

Can you imagine a mockup that is so realistic that just by looking at it you feel its texture? This soft enamel pin mockup set is a great example of such templates! The pack of square pin mockups allows bringing a sense of easiness to your workflow, without harming the quality of a result. Just choose a design you’d like to apply, drag it to the Smart Object, customize colors and voilà! Neat and stylish showcasing of patterns, textures, logos has never been easier. The exciting creative process of working with the pin button mockup will make you lose track of time!

Gold Enamel Pin Mockup

Free Badge PSD Mockup

Pin mockup template is a great way to easily showcase any design on a cool-looking badge. Especially on such a realistic one! The high-resolution scene showcases the pin from 2 sides for a realistic presentation that hides no details. You can edit the pin button mockup via Photoshop and insert your designs for branding, football teams, special movements, band merch, or use it as a background. The work process won’t take long as the mockup has Smart Objects.

Free Enamel Pin Mockup

Pin Button Mockup Set

This pack of pin mockups is perfect for those who are not sure what they want their result to look like. The templates of this set are designed for beginners and expert designers. With this pin mockup pack, you get 7 well-organized and fully-layered PSD files that allow you to replace the artwork with your own easily and edit all the colors! The mockup features 4 background textures and 3 layer styles. Display your design in a more efficient way on this perfect pin mockup PSD bundle.

Pin Branding Mockup

Wood Enamel Pin Paper Mockup

Who told you that pins can’t be elegant? This wood pin badge mockup is here to prove them wrong. A simple yet attractive option for presenting your designs to clients and customers. Plus, it is incredibly easy to work with: due to the Smart Object all you have to do is drag and drop your image inside of it. And trust me, the result won’t leave you indifferent.

Free Enamel Pin Mockup

Pin Button Mockup

Round button badges are classic, so having such pin badge mockup in your toolbox is a must. Especially when there is a whole set of templates you can choose from! This pin mockup pack is here to help you if you are out of ideas. It doesn’t matter what is your current project about: ads, prints, cards, posters — the 3 PSD templates of this set will add a unique charm to your artwork! Mix them and try different combinations to find the ideal one exactly for you.

Enamel Brand Pin Mockup

Metallic Pin Mockup

Introducing the Metallic Pin Mockup — your secret weapon to showcase your design ideas with style and realism! This versatile pin mockup is packed with high-quality textures that will make your graphics pop. It’s highly customizable, with just a few clicks, you can easily tweak the smart object layer, replace the default placeholder, and add your own graphics. Get ready to impress the world with glaring chorme displays that will leave everyone in awe. It’s a perfect opportunity to elevate your presentations to new heights with this pin mockups.

Enamel Pin Mockup

Round Enamel Pin Mockup Set

Pin mockup template is always a good resource to have in your repertoire. Especially this one, as it will look amazing in every project: as a background or for ads, prints or posters. Customizable embossing and texturing of the pin surface will help you create the most realistic pin designs with the imitation of a convex metal surface and present your products. This set contains 5 enamel pin mockups including isolated pin mockups and mockups with a person wearing a pin. Add the spark of creativity to your own designs with this enamel pins mockup set!

Circle Button Pin Template

Pin Mockup

Looking to add a touch of sophistication to your designs? Look no further than this pin mockup! This sleek and stylish black and white pin badge mockup is perfect for showcasing your brand or logo. With the included Adobe Photoshop files, you can easily customize the design using the Smart Object feature. Plus, with its high resolution of 3000×2000 pixels and 300 dpi, your designs will look sharp and professional. Stay organized with the neatly organized layers, making editing a breeze.

Metallic Enamel Pin Generator Mockups

Square Pin Button Bage Mockup

This photorealistic and professional pin badge mockup is designed to leave a lasting impression. And hey, we won’t blame you if it makes you want to click that square badge aka button too! With its neat and minimal layout, it’s perfect for displaying your amazing designs on your website or portfolio. With three PSD files and a high resolution, you’ll have all the flexibility you need to create stunning pin mockup presentations. Plus, with the option to change the background color and four photo filters, you can tune the look to match your style perfectly.

Enamel Pin Logo Mockup — Two Forms Of Effect

PSD Pin Mockup Template

We have something to offer in case you looking for a new idea and catch yourself looking at the screen blanky. A classy holding pin mockup for your design project is here! Use it for ads, prints, posters or anything you are working on currently. You can add your own pin design with ease via the Smart Object included in each of the pin mockups and change the badge button color according to your needs.

Luxury Enamel Pin Logo Mockup

Pin Button Mockup

This pin button mockup is a perfect example of a template that despite its beauty won’t steal the spotlight from your designs. Putting them on the mockup is simple, too, as it has the Smart Object layers. Plus, you can change the sides’ color according to your liking. Working with the template will be fun and easy and you won’t regret choosing this template as it may help you not once.

Enamel Pin Mockup

Allow your designs some real sticking power with this enamel pin mockup. Such a realistic template is always great to have in your repertoire as there are so many ways to make it useful for your personal branding projects and pin designs. You can use it for banners, posts, logos, presentations, posters, etc. The enamel pin mockups are ready to help live out all your creative ideas!

Black Outline Enamel Pin Mockup

The post 45+ Best Pin Mockup Templates📌(Free & Paid) appeared first on The Designest.

Best Laptops for Cricut in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:19:12 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Did you notice how the Cricut Maker has become the must-have for professional crafters? Ready to take your crafting game to the next level? Meet the ultimate pro crafter’s kit: the Cricut Maker, Cricut Design Space software, and a compatible computer for Cricut. But not all computers are equally well suited when it comes to working with Cricut machines. The best laptops for Cricut Maker are determined by a variety of criteria. Read on to find out how to choose the best match.

Cricut is a brand of craft supplies that provides popular cutting machines, also known as craft plotters. These machines can cut all sorts of designs from a wide range of materials with stunning precision and speed. If you want to learn more about Cricut’s amazing capabilities, check out our Cricut machines review. Take a moment to read it before continuing. On top of that, creating DIY projects has undergone an astonishing shift because of the use of laptops. It’s not the old-school hefty computer for Cricut machine that is tied to one place anymore. It’s a modern and versatile laptop for Cricut Maker, which makes you ready for the strike of inspiration whenever you are. If you’re a creative entrepreneur, the best laptops for Cricut users can help you handle more orders and grow your business, and if you are a DIY enthusiast it makes your experience even more smooth and enjoyable.

Feeling inspired and looking for the perfect laptop to use with your Cricut machine? Choosing the best laptop for such specific purposes can be a daunting task, but we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested and reviewed the best laptops for Cricut Maker, and we’ll discuss the features and specs you should consider when shopping for a laptop that will work well with your machine. So let’s dive in and find out which laptops are best suited for working with Design Space software for Cricut machines.

How To Choose Best Computer For Cricut
Top 10 Laptops For Cricut
ASUS VivoBook S14
LG Gram 16Z90P
Acer Aspire 5
Apple MacBook Air M1
Microsoft Surface Book 3
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
Apple MacBook Pro M2
Dell Inspiron 15
HP Pavilion x360
Samsung Galaxy Book3
How To Set Up and Run Cricut Maker: Step-by-Step Guide
FAQ

How To Choose Best Computer For Cricut

Choosing the best laptop for your needs is quite a task. First of all, you need to formulate these needs, then research tons of websites and reviews to make the shortlist, and then spend even more time in hesitation deciding upon the best possible option for your budget. Sounds tedious, isn’t it? Rejoice, we’ve done all the donkey work for you and prepared the top 10 best laptops for Cricut Maker machine and other creative work. But if you want to delve deeper into tech specs to make a well-informed decision, here they are.

Although the minimum Design Space requirements are met by a wide range of Windows and Mac OS laptops, we advise you not to settle for minimum capabilities and consider all the factors to make a worthy deal. Because some of the advanced Cricut features cannot be used with the minimum system requirements, and instead need more powerful hardware. Basically, the more you pay, the better the experience you’ll have — both with Cricut machines and with other computing tasks. But even if you’re on a tight budget, you can still have the best laptop in your price range. There are some key factors to examine while choosing the best laptop for Cricut:

CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main component that controls a computer, running the operating system and apps. To use advanced programs for Cricut Designs or multitask while cutting with Cricut Maker, a powerful processor like an Intel i7 is necessary. Or at least i5 for faster and more efficient performance. While the Design Space app is pretty undemanding itself. You can run it both on cheap and less powerful Ryzen chip as well as top-notch M2 Apple chip.

GPU

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is a crucial component of any computer, as it helps run graphics-related work such as graphics, effects, and videos. When it comes to design, the importance of graphics cannot be overstated. It’s essential to choose a laptop with the latest graphics technology when you’re using Cricut Maker machine as a professional. While NVIDIA graphics cards are great, they can be quite expensive, so it’s ok to look for more affordable Intel or AMD options. By investing in a laptop with a high-quality GPU, you can take your Cricut projects to the next level and unleash your creativity in new and exciting ways.

RAM

The Random-access memory (RAM) functions as your laptop’s short-term memory, where data is stored for the computer processor to run applications and open your files. As many users know, a laptop’s power and speed is largely determined by its RAM. For those using Cricut Design Space, a budget laptop with 4GB RAM may suffice. However, for more advanced programs or professional multitasking alongside Cricut Designs, more RAM would allow a faster and more efficient laptop experience. Therefore, when considering the memory capacity of your computer, take note that options range from 4GB to 64GB, so only your budget and business needs are the limit.

Screen size

Design Space software is a powerful tool for visual projects, and it requires a decent screen space to make sure you can see everything you’re working on. That’s why it’s recommended to use laptops with a screen up from 14” when working with Cricut Design Space. While smaller laptops are easier to carry, if you’re using a laptop with a smaller screen, you might find yourself struggling to get everything in view, and that can make things tricky when you’re working on a big project.

Resolution

When it comes to purchasing a laptop for design work, it’s important to consider screen quality. The resolution of the screen is a key factor that determines how crisp, clear, and vibrant your designs will appear. If you’re looking for a screen that can display your work with optimal clarity, it’s recommended that you aim for a resolution of at least 1024 x 768. If you’re looking for a crisp clear image, you may want to consider laptops with 1920×1080 resolution. While higher resolutions often result in better image quality, they can also come with a higher price tag.

Battery life

Well, it is one of the crucial specs when choosing a gadget, especially for designers on the go. If you’re mainly working from home, a laptop with a shorter battery duration can save you money. However, if you’re frequently designing while on the move, it’s best to invest in a laptop with longer and more reliable battery lifespan. At the same time, keep in mind that it may vary based on workload, environment, and work type. We advise you to choose a laptop with long-lasting battery for the flexibility to work anywhere and anytime.

Top 10 Laptops For Cricut

ASUS VivoBook S14

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5 11 gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 14”
Resolution: 1920×1080 px
Battery life: 9-11 h
Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

Thin and lightweight
Wide connectivity options
Nice graphic performance

Reasons to Avoid

Audio quality is not so good
Outdated USB ports
Average battery life

The ASUS VivoBook S14 is a lightweight and stylish laptop that boasts a 14” Full HD NanoEdge bezel display, and an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor. This laptop is super portable, just look at those numbers — 0.62” thin and 3.2 lb of weight. Wow, you can take it wherever you go! Moreover, the special VivoBook S14’s fast-charging feature helps recharge a low battery to 60% in just 49 minutes, which, by the way, is pretty convenient when you are on the go.

The VivoBook S14 has 8GB RAM, which provides plenty of memory for multitasking and running multiple programs at once, and a 512GB SSD, which ensures fast storage and quick boot times. Comprehensive connections, including Thunderbolt 3 via USB Type-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, USB 2.0, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 6, allow you to connect to a wide range of devices, making it easy to transfer files, connect to external displays, and use other peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and webcams. The thin bezel NanoEdge display provides an immersive viewing experience, with 178 wide viewing angles and exceptional color reproduction for truly vivid visuals.

In summary, the ASUS VivoBook S14 is a high-quality laptop that offers a powerful processor, ample memory and storage, comprehensive connectivity, and features that make it secure and easy to use. Its sleek design and diamond-cut edges make it stand out from other laptops, while its fast-charging capabilities and lightweight construction make it easy to carry around with you. So, whether you’re a professional entrepreneur, die-hard DIY enthusiast, or Cricut hobbyist, the ASUS VivoBook S14 is a great choice, if you’re up for a reliable and versatile laptop that’s both stylish and functional.

LG Gram 16Z90P

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7 11 gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 16”
Resolution: 2560×1600 px
Battery life: 22 h
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Reasons to Buy

Very long battery life
Big display, suitable for work with graphics
Stylish look and durable full-metal body

Reasons to Avoid

Audio quality is questionable
Glossy screen
Quite expensive

The LG Gram laptop got a robust set of features designed for productivity and performance. First, let’s see what this device got inside. Intel Evo Platform Powered by 11th generation Intel core i7 processor, combined with Intel Xe Graphics and 16 GB RAM providing the necessary performance for memory-intensive tasks such as high-resolution content creation, designing, editing, and multitasking. For reliable and fast storage, this device is equipped with a 256GB SSD that provides quick access to your files. Connectivity options are also up to the mark.

As for the display, the impressive DCI-P3 99% wide color gamut enables delivers stunning visuals with exceptional color accuracy, allowing you to see your work exactly as you have imagined it. The 16″ display with a 16:10 WQXGA (2560×1600) resolution delivers a clear, vivid color expression, providing a really immersive experience.

Additionally, his laptop got thoughtful ergonomics. First and foremost the LG Gram is ultra-lightweight (only 2.62 lbs), making it easy to carry with you on the go. It is also designed to withstand even the toughest conditions, passing seven tests for military-grade durability. The full-metal body of magnesium alloy can withstand shock, vibration, dust, and temperature. The wider 16:10 touchpad gives you more control, even if you don’t use a mouse and the big, flat keypads ensure faster typing. While the Thunderbolt 4 connection allows you to charge, transfer, and display all at once, taking advantage of this device’s capabilities.

In a nutshell, the key selling points of LG Gram 16 are its ultra-lightweight design and its high-resolution, colorful 16:10 display, but LG also made sure that nothing else was compromised in any way. So if you need a solid laptop for creative work it is one of the best options.

Acer Aspire 5

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i3 11 gen
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920×1080 px
Battery life: 8-10 h
Operating system: Windows 11

Reasons to Buy

Reasonable price
Produce little to no noise
Good battery life for budget laptop

Reasons to Avoid

Not the best color reproduction
Some users refer to loose touchpad
Too slow for gaming

The Acer Aspire 5 with Intel Core i3 CPU is probably the best budget laptop for a Cricut Maker, that offers a range of features suitable for common computing needs. While we’d recommend you go for an i5 or i7 CPU, we need to admit that i3 is still a pretty nice processor for undemanding day-to-day tasks. This laptop features 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD to store files and applications, which is good for the budget price range. It’s also equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI as well as various USB ports connectivity technologies, making it easy to connect to other devices.

It’s an economy laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that provides sharp details and decent enough image quality. With a screen-to-body ratio of 82.58% and a narrow-bezel design this laptop delivers an immersive viewing experience, so you can dive into whatever is in front of you. In addition, Aspire 5 is ergonomically designed with a hinge that lifts the keyboard for comfortable typing, an improved cooling system that hardly gets warm (even on a stress test), and an appropriate sound experience.

In conclusion, buying a laptop for around $500 isn’t easy, most of the time you have to choose what you’re ready to sacrifice to get a good price. So rejoice! The Acer Aspire 5 is an affordable budget laptop without any serious flaws. But in case you want to relax playing the latest computer games in between or even while cutting your designs with Cricut, you’d better look for another laptop. As long as this model is not powerful enough to tackle this job. The laptop is lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around. If you’re looking for a decent laptop for day-to-day tasks for a reasonable price, the Acer Aspire 5 is a great choice.

Apple MacBook Air M1

Specifications

CPU: Apple M1 chip
GPU: Integrated Apple GPU
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 13.3”
Resolution: 2560 x 1600 px
Battery life: up to 18 h
Operating system: macOS Ventura

Reasons to Buy

Thin and lightweight laptop
Great battery life
Perfect color reproduction

Reasons to Avoid

It’s expensive
Works best with Apple environment
M1 is not the latest chip technology

The MacBook Air is the perfect computer for professionals on the go. With an all-day battery life of up to 18 hours, you never have to worry about running out of power during your busy day. And with the powerful Apple M1 chip featuring an 8-core CPU, you can easily handle everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming. In some cases even at the same time The chip delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power. This means you can enjoy seamless multitasking while running memory-hogging tasks like browsing multiple tabs or opening a huge graphic file for Circut cutting quickly and easily.

But the MacBook Air isn’t just powerful computer— it’s also stunningly beautiful. The 13.3-inch Retina display brings images to life with new levels of realism, making text sharp and clear and colors more vibrant. P3 wide color gamut covers 25% more colors than industry-standard sRGB, therefore it’s perfect for designers and other creative professionals.

If you already have an iPhone, MacBook Air feels familiar from the moment you turn it on. And it works perfectly with all your Apple devices. But if you want to use it, for example, with a non-Apple external monitor it may be not as seamless and exceptional as it would be inside the Apple environment. By the way, speaking of the environment. The MacBook Air is totally environmentally friendly. It is made with a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure and uses less energy for a smaller carbon footprint.

To sum up, if you’re a creative professional, graphic designer, or just someone who wants a powerful, easy-to-use, and environmentally friendly computer, the MacBook Air is the perfect choice.

Microsoft Surface Book 3

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7 10 gen
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 15”
Resolution: 3240 x 2160 px
Battery life: up to 17.5 h
Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

Very versatile configuration options
Powerful GPU
Big screen with nearly 4K resolution

Reasons to Avoid

Not the fastest laptop in this price range
It’s pretty heavy among other windows laptops
It’s pricey

Surface Book 3 is a versatile HD touchscreen laptop that combines the functionality of a robust computer, a powerful tablet, and a portable studio in one. It’s the best hybrid laptop for Cricut makers. The detachable screen makes it easy to switch between modes and get things done when inspiration strikes. With quad-core powered, 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, this device is the most powerful Surface laptop yet, now 30% faster than Surface Book 2. It has the fastest graphics on Surface, powered by NVIDIA GTX GeForce GPU, and boasts up to 17.5 hours of battery life with an improved standby mode that extends battery life when you’re away.

The high-resolution PixelSense Display is designed for Surface Pen and touch, making it perfect for sketching and drawing. With quad-core powered 10th Gen Intel Core processors and blazing NVIDIA graphics, this device can tackle intensive tasks, edit large graphic files, and provide the best gaming experience on Surface. The device also boasts a color gamut near-full 97% sRGB coverage and 58% AdobeRGB coverage, along with an HD IPS display and an original native screen resolution of 3240 x 2160 px.

The backlit keyboard and large, responsive trackpad make it easy to work on the go, while the touchscreen provides a more natural and intuitive experience. Additionally, Surface Book 3 has wireless connectivity options that include Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6.

In conclusion, The Surface Book 3 is still an appealing alternative for creatives even though its distinctive form might limit its ability to compete with more potent rivals. Although there are speedier devices available for the same price, the Surface Book 3 is a great option if you’re seeking a versatile tablet that can perform several jobs.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5 12 gen
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Battery life: up to 9 h
Operating system: Windows 11 Pro

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price for full-size laptop
Durable build
Decent battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Not the brightest screen
Mediocre sound and camera
It’s pretty heavy

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is a versatile computer that can enhance your work, study, or play experience. With its slim design (just 0.78”), it’s easy to take with you wherever you go, making it perfect for on-the-go use. This great laptop is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processors and Intel Iris Xe graphics, which deliver exceptional performance and speed to meet your daily needs. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS display provides nice viewing angles, decent color accuracy, and contrast, so you can be sure of picture quality. With its 4-sided narrow bezels, you get more available viewing screen, giving you a better experience overall.

In addition, the IdeaPad 3i laptop also has a full-function Type-C port that allows for faster data transfer, power delivery, and 4K display connectivity. It also includes USB port 3.2, USB port 2.0, and HDMI ports, as well as an SD card reader and audio jack. Plus, it comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options, so you can stay connected wherever you are.

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is also designed to be long-lasting, with a battery that will keep you going for hours on end. And if you need another 2 hours of battery life just use rapid charge boost. Only 15 minutes of charging will get you this extra time.

Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly laptop for cricut makers that doesn’t skimp on performance or features. If you’re primarily concerned with day-to-day computing tasks, affordability, and durability, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i laptop is a good choice for you.

Apple MacBook Pro M2

Specifications

CPU: Apple M2 chip
GPU: Integrated Apple GPU
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 14.2”
Resolution: 3024 x 1964 px
Battery life: up to 22h
Operating system: macOS Ventura

Reasons to Buy

Pro quality display
Powerful CPU and GPU
Amazing battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Expensive device
Suits best all Apple environment

The new MacBook Pro with M2 chip is a powerful device that offers top-of-the-line features. With the M2 Pro or M2 Max chip, users can take on even the most demanding projects. The M2 Pro has up to 12 CPU cores, up to 19 GPU cores, and up to 32GB of unified memory. This makes it an ideal device for professionals who need to run multiple pro apps simultaneously. Rejoice, creative multitaskers!

In addition, the MacBook Pro M2 has a beautiful 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, which features an Extreme Dynamic Range, over 1000 nits of brightness, and pro reference modes for doing your best work on the go. Color performance is strong, too, with the color gamut covering 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color space, and 89% of AdobeRGB, all with excellent color accuracy.

But that’s not all. The MacBook Pro features an impressive battery life of up to 22 hours, so you can use it all day without worrying about running out of power. This laptop also offers a range of connectivity options, lots of nifty ports as well as wireless Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Overall, the MacBook Pro is an excellent laptop for both amateur and professional Cricut users. It shows great versatility and efficiency across battery life, performance, display quality, and day-to-day use without any significant flaws. However, it is one of the expensive laptops, even the base model. But if you’re willing to invest in a device that provides everything at once, the MacBook Pro is a tolally solid choice.

Dell Inspiron 15

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Battery life: up to 9 h
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Reasons to Buy

Affordable laptop with nice specs
Well-built
Large touchscreen display

Reasons to Avoid

No USB C port
Becomes pretty warm on heavy load
Not the best sRGB coverage

The Inspiron laptop by Dell is a reliable and affordable device designed to get work done. Its primary strength lies in its solid performance, thanks to the Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB high-bandwidth RAM. With this much power, you can smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once without any interruption. It’s well-built, has plenty of legacy ports for accessories, and features a full number pad.

This laptop features a 15.6-inch FHD touchscreen, making it a joy to work with. The touch features are quick and precise, making work much simpler and more pleasant than before. While there’s only about 60% of sRGB color gamut coverage, it is still a great device to work with if your design work is restricted to monochrome vector patterns for cutting with your Cricut. However, if you’re working on color-sensitive projects like photo or video editing, this device may not be the best option for you.

This laptop’s biggest drawback is that it lacks a USB port Type-C, which can be pretty disappointing for some users. We thought that it has become the industry standard, but eventually, it isn’t. Or Dell got its standards. Anyway, it’s absent, get over it.

Overall, this laptop for Cricut makers fits perfectly in the budget category. Those looking for a reliable computer for general tasks will be happy with the Dell Inspiron. However, those looking for a more potent device or a laptop for color-sensitive work better go for more powerful devices.

HP Pavilion x360

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Screen size: 14″
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
Battery life: up to 8h
Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Reasons to Buy

Strong performance with 10th Gen Intel CPU
Portable and lightweight laptop
Nice touchscreen laptop

Reasons to Avoid

Battery won’t survive the whole workday
Screen brightness could be better
Webcam provides not enough fine details

The HP Pavilion x360 laptop is the perfect device for anyone looking for a powerful, yet lightweight computer that can handle whatever life throws your way. With its 11th Generation Intel Core processor, you’ll experience fast performance and instant responsiveness. Plus, with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage, you’ll have enough space to store your files and programs.

As for graphics, Intel Iris Xe GPU promises crystal-clear imagery and it certainly could be so if not for the display brightness, which is below average. Although the 14” Full HD multitouch-enabled edge-to-edge glass screen itself is pretty good. Everything will be fine as long as there is no color-sensitive editing in your workflow. By the way, the touchscreen option is especially convenient when you’re in a rush and don’t want to use the mouse or unfold a proper computer setup.

If you’re looking for a laptop that’s remote work ready, the HP Pavilion x360 has you covered. With Intel Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 combo (supporting Gigabit data rate), you can stay connected wherever you go. And with good connectivity options, including 2 USB type-A ports, 1 USB Type-C, 1 HDMI port, and an SD card reader, you’ll be able to plug in all of your favorite devices.

And let’s not forget about the design. The HP Pavilion x360’s streamlined metal design delivers a thinner, lighter PC with great durability. The 360-degree geared hinge is innovatively engineered to rotate 360 degrees, so you can use your device in four modes.

In short, the HP Pavilion x360 is a great value for anyone who has basic laptop needs for Cricut projects and wants integrated connectivity. It may not be designed for heavy workloads or long times away from an outlet, but if you need a laptop that can keep up with your daily tasks, the HP Pavilion x360 is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy Book3

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen size: 15.6”
Resolution: 1920×1080 px
Battery life: 15h
Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Reasons to Buy

Solid build
Good display quality
Big touchpad is perfect

Reasons to Avoid

Fans may be a little noisy
Quite pricey
Not suitable for gaming (only casual maybe)

Samsung Galaxy Book 3 is a new Samsung laptop designed for productivity and entertainment. It’s a workhorse, whether you’re working, studying, or simply browsing, this device with a powerful Intel Core i7 is here to breeze through all the things you need to do, without any lag or delays.

The Galaxy Book 3 is a highly portable laptop. Its thin and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around wherever you go, so you can always stay productive on the go. Moreover, its powerful battery will provide you with hours of uninterrupted use, so you can stay plugged in without being tied to a cord.

As for connectivity, well, The Galaxy Book3 is got you covered for almost any situation that may occur during your day. Whether you need to connect to a printer, a monitor, or any other device, you got it. With all the ports built right in, there’s no need to drag around a clunky adapter. The screen is big and crisp clear, so enjoy all your works or favorite entertainment on a super smooth 15.6-inch screen. Its stunning display brings out the best in everything you do, with vivid and bright visuals that are sure to impress.

In a nutshell, Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro is an accessible and solid option for those people who do not want an absolute beast of the best, but still looking for a future-proof laptop. With its powerful processor, long-lasting battery, and gorgeous display, this laptop is perfect for anyone who wants to stay productive and entertained on the go.

“Which laptop is best for work with Cricut after all?” you may ask. Well, honestly it depends on your workflow aside from cutting designs with Cricut. All devices listed above will perfectly work with Cricut’s Design Space, but if you ask me to decide which laptop I would choose for myself, then I would go for Samsung Galaxy Book 3. Personally, I’m a sucker for big screens and crisp clear images, pair it with a powerful CPU and that’s the recipe for a perfect laptop for me. And what is yours?

How To Set Up and Run Cricut Maker: Step-by-Step Guide

For your Windows computer, follow these steps to download, set up, and run Cricut’s Design Space for Desktop:

Go to Cricut website design.cricut.comin your web browser.
Select Download.
Once the download is finished, double-click the file in the browser or your Downloads folder.
If a window appears asking if you trust the application, choose that option.
A setup window displays the installation progress.
Sign in with your Cricut ID and password.
An icon of Design Space for Desktop automatically gets added to your desktop screen.
Have fun with Design Space for Windows Desktop!

For your Mac computer, follow these steps to download, set up, and run Cricut’s Design Space for Desktop:

Go to Cricut website design.cricut.comin your web browser.
Select Download.
Once the download is finished, double-click the .dmg file in the browser or your Downloads folder.
Drag the Cricut icon to the Applications folder icon to begin the installation. Design Space for Desktop automatically gets added to your Applications folder.
Double-click Cricut Design Space in your Applications folder to launch Design Space for Desktop.
A Mac notice may appear asking if you want to open the application that has been downloaded from the internet. Select Open to continue.
Sign in with your Cricut ID and password.
Have fun with Design Space for Windows Desktop!

Freuqently Asked Questions

Does Any Laptop Work With Cricut?

If you’re looking to use a Cricut machine, compatibility with your laptop is likely to be a primary concern. Fortunately, almost all laptops can be used with these devices, as long as Cricut system requirements is fairly undemanding. However, if you’re planning to use its advanced design features, you may find that a more premium laptop is a better choice. To help you make the right decision for your needs, our guide to the best laptop for Cricut maker offers reviews of top models for different budgets. Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking for a high-end model, we’ve got you covered.

Which Computer Works Best With Cricut?

Selecting the best computer depends on a multitude of factors, such as your budget, preferred OS, and intended way of use, to name just a few. For example, the Acer Aspire 5 is a popular budget option, while the Dell XPS and Apple Macbook Pro are premium laptops that offer amazing performance capabilities for Cricut. However, there are many other laptop options available that may suit your specific needs. To assist you in your search for the perfect laptop for Cricut maker, we recommend checking out our comprehensive guide on the best laptops for Cricut maker machines.

Which Laptop is Best For Cricut Design Space?

When it comes to finding the perfect laptop for use with Cricut Design Space, the options are vast and varied. From budget-friendly laptops like Lenovo IdeaPad 3i to premium models like MacBooks with M2 chip, you can use virtually any laptop with this software. However, it is important to note that some models may perform better than others, and not all of the features can be performed on minimum requirements. To help make your decision easier, our guide offers reviews of some of the best Cricut computers on the market.

Will a Chromebook Work With a Cricut?

Unfortunately, Cricut Maker and Cricut Design Space cannot be used with Chromebook since they are only compatible with Windows and Mac operating system computers as well as Android and iOS devices. But there are plenty of other devices that work seamlessly with Cricut software. As well as lots of budget laptops on the market if you only need them for running the Cricut software.

Can I Use Cricut Design Space on iOS or Android?

Yes. You don’t actually need a laptop for Cricut maker to run Design Space, so keep that in mind if you’re seriously strapped for cash. Instead, you can use a tablet or a smartphone. Cricut software is free and provided not only for Windows and Mac, but also for iOS, and Android devices. Design Space is not supported on a very few laptops such as Chromebooks or Unix / Linux Computers.

The post Best Laptops for Cricut in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

6 Best Monitors For Mac Mini in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:13:38 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

I guess it’s a common place, that digital designers relies on quality of their devices greatly. But, unfortunately, to keep up with the ever-evolving technology landscape, you need to be a bit of a tech geek. But fret not, because I am one. In this article, I will share with you a carefully curated list of 6 best monitors for Mac Mini that will enhance your digital design workflow.

Finding the best monitor for Mac Mini can be a daunting task, especially with an abundance of options available on a market. I will navigate you through the intricacies of display technology, exploring the finest options that offer impeccable color accuracy, seamless connectivity, and ergonomic design. So, if you’ve been struggling to find the ideal monitor to elevate your design experience, look no further. Join me as we unveil the top contenders, allowing you to make an informed decision and unleash your creative genius. Let’s dive in and discover the perfect visual companion and take the full advantage of your Mac Mini setup.

Top 3 Best Monitors For the Mac Mini

Acer R240HY

23.8 inches screen
Full HD resolution
Good image quality for external display
Affordable price for Mac Mini monitor

Dell U2720Q

27 inches screen
4K resolution
Excellent color reproduction
Versatile connectivity options

Apple Studio Display

27 inches screen
5K resolution
Exceptional color gamut coverage
Best integration with Mac mini, thanks to USB-C ports

Top 6 Best Monitors For the Mac Mini

Apple Studio Display
Asus VP249QGR
Dell U2720Q
Acer R240HY
BenQ PD2700U
LG 27UK850-W

Apple Studio Display

A high-resolution, color-accurate display tailored for Mac Mini users and creative professionals.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 5K Retina
Panel type: Not specified (likely IPS)
Color accuracy: Exceptional
Connectivity: Thunderbolt port or three USB-C ports

Reasons to Buy

Exceptional color reproduction.
High-resolution 5K Retina Mac Mini display./li>
Best integration and compatibility with Apple Mac Mini and other Apple products./li>

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to similar monitors for Mac Mini.
Limited connectivity options: there are only Thunderbolt and USB-C connection.

The first thing that came to mind when thinking of monitor for Mac Mini is another Apple product — Studio Display. It is a premium-grade Apple monitor that caters to the discerning needs of professional users seeking uncompromising image quality and color accuracy. The 27-inch Retina 5K display and impressive 5120 x 2880 resolution delivers a pixel-dense canvas, ensuring every detail of your digital designs is impeccably showcased. The Apple Studio Display color gamut coverage is equally remarkable, supporting 100% P3 wide color, which is vital for digital designers working on projects that require precise color reproduction.

The True-tone technology further enhances the accuracy by automatically adjusting the display’s white balance to match the ambient lighting conditions, providing an optimal viewing experience throughout the day. The Studio Display integration with macOS devices, particularly the Mac Mini, is seamless, further enhancing your productivity. The Thunderbolt or USB-C ports connectivity options ensure a quick and reliable connection your Mac Mini monitor to the Mac Mini, allowing you to dive into your creative projects without delays.

In conclusion, whether you’re working on illustrations, image editing, or motion design, the Apple Studio Display delivers excellence in every pixel, elevating your digital design journey to new heights. The only potential drawback to consider is the higher price compared to similar monitors on the market. However, the investment in the Apple Studio Display is well worth it for those who prioritize uncompromising color reproduction and seamless compatibility with Apple devices.

Asus VP249QGR

A best budget monitor with good image quality and fast response times for casual users and gamers.

Specifications

Screen size: 23.8 inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Good
Connectivity: HDMI port, DisplayPort, VGA

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price for its features.
Good image quality and color accuracy.
Fast response time suitable for gaming.

Reasons to Avoid

Limited viewing angles compared to other panel types.
Mediocre build quality and ergonomics.
Lack of advanced features like USB-C connectivity.

The Asus VP249QGR is a budget-friendly monitor that offers impressive performance for digital designers seeking an affordable yet reliable display solution. The 23.8-inch screen with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) suits nicely for digital design work. The monitor’s accuracy is also commendable, covering 99% of the sRGB color space, which is essential for working on standard design projects. For those who prioritize smooth visuals, the this device boasts a fast 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time, ensuring fluid and responsive interactions. For ergonomics this monitor offers tilt adjustments. While it may lack extensive adjustments like higher-priced monitors, it still offers basic ergonomics to support user comfort. One of the standout features of this display is its affordability. Priced competitively, it offers exceptional value for its impressive specifications and features.

As for the brightness the Asus VP249QGR proveds an ample brightness of 250 nits, that is good enough for most indoor environments and typical usage scenarios. While it may not match the brightness levels of top-notch screens like Mac Studio, but it delivers an absolut satisfactory visual experience for everyday tasks and digital design work. Let’s not forget that this device is a cheaper alternative for Apple Pro Display and other high-end monitors for Mac Mini.

To sum up, while the Asus VP249QGR may not offer the premium features of higher-priced monitors, its combination of affordability, color reproduction, and smooth performance places this device among best Mac Mini monitors and makes it a solid choise for digital designers on a budget. This is a workhorse that delivers a reliable and practical display solution.

Dell U2720Q

A versatile 4K monitor with excellent color reproduction and connectivity options, ideal for professional Mac users.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Excellent
Connectivity: HDMI port , DisplayPort, USB-C port

Reasons to Buy

Sharp and vibrant 4K display with 27-inch screen size.
Excellent color reproduction and wide color gamut.
Versatile connectivity options and ergonomic design.

Reasons to Avoid

Relatively higher price compared to other monitors.
Some users may experience minor backlight bleeding.
Lack of high refresh rate for gaming enthusiasts.

The Dell S2720Q is a compelling choice for Mac Mini users, offering a 27-inch 4K panel with decent pixel density and a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including USB-C with 65W power delivery. While it may not match the premium features of higher-priced monitors like Apple’s 5K studio display, this monitor excels in usability and productivity, providing excellent color reproduction and IPS viewing angles. For content creators seeking impressive performance without breaking the bank, the Dell U2720Q is a worthy alternative. Dell’s monitors focus on picture quality and performance, making them practical choices for professionals who prioritize functionality over gimmicks or extravagant designs.

This monitor offers seamless connectivity with Mac Mini, providing compatible ports such as HDMI and USB-C for easy integration. I’d like to highlight the USB-C port with up to 90W power delivery (highest in its class), that is best way to connect external display to your Mac Mini, while keeping great image quality. It is also serves as a convenient USB hub for connecting peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and external storage. Nice thing!

In the nutshell, the Dell U2720Q stands out as a stellar choice for professionals and creatives seeking uncompromising color reproduction, excellent image quality, and versatile connectivity options. This display has received rave reviews for its outstanding performance and reliability, solidifying its status as a highly recommended monitor in its class.

Acer R240HY

An affordable Mac Mini monitor with an IPS panel, offering good color reproduction and a slim design for everyday use.

Specifications

Screen size: 23.8 inches
Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Good
Connectivity: HDMI, VGA, DVI

Reasons to Buy

Affordable price for its screen size and features.
Good image quality with an IPS panel.
Slim bezels and sleek design.

Reasons to Avoid

Limited accuracy compared to higher-end monitors for Mac Mini.
Limited connectivity options (lacks USB-C ports or DisplayPort).
Very limited ergonomic stand adjustments.

The Acer R240HY is a superb monitor that offers an impressive display performance, making it an excellent choice for both work and entertainment. This device makes a nice cheaper option for Apple display like Apple Pro display XDR or Apple studio Display. Its 23.8-inch screen size with IPS panel and Full HD resolution, delivers nice and solid visuals, enhancing your viewing experience. This display provides HDMI, VGA, and DVI inputs, ensuring effortless connectivity to a wide range of devices, including laptops, gaming consoles, and desktops. The Acer R240HY has garnered positive reviews for its affordability and value for money, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious users. However, it’s important to note that the R240HY does not offer swivel, height, or pivot adjustments, but it does provide tilt adjustability.

In conclusion, the Acer R240HY is a reliable and user-friendly monitor. Despite its limited ergonomics, the monitor’s sleek and slim design adds a touch of modernity to any workspace, making it a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for users looking for a budget-friendly monitor with good image quality and color reproduction. Whether you’re a creative professional or a casual user, the Acer R240HY promises a delightful visual experience, making it a compelling addition to any workspace.

BenQ PD2700U

A top-tier 4K monitor with exceptional visual accuracy, perfect for design and other creative work.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Excellent
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Impressive 4K resolution and 27-inch screen.
Excellent color reproduction for professional tasks.
Advanced eye care technology.

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to entry-level monitors.
Limited refresh rate for gaming enthusiasts.
No built-in audio devices, requiring external speakers.

The BenQ PD2700U is an outstanding monitor that sets a new standard for professional-grade displays, making it a top choice for discerning users seeking an exceptional visuals. With its 27-inch 4K display, this monitor delivers breathtaking image clarity and sharpness, elevating your content to new heights. The PD2700U’s IPS panel technology guarantees wide viewing angles, delivering consistent and accurate colors from various perspectives. While exceptional color gamut coverage and true-to-life hues that are vital for design, editing, and video production provide nice designing experience. These features set it apart as a top-tier choice for professionals in the creative industry.

Ergonomics are also a strong suit of this monitor, as it offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing users to find the most comfortable viewing position for extended work sessions. These versatile adjustments cater to individual preferences and promote a healthier posture during prolonged usage.

In summary, the BenQ PD2700U stands out as a premium monitor that surpasses expectations with its outstanding display performance, flexible connectivity options, and ergonomic design. Its impressive 4K resolution, wide color gamut, and seamless integration make it a valuable asset for professionals and creative enthusiasts alike.

LG 27UK850-W

A premium 4K monitor with wide color gamut, versatile connectivity, and ergonomic design, tailored for professional and creative use.

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840×2160)
Panel type: IPS
Color accuracy: Excellent
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C

Reasons to Buy

4K resolution and 27-inch display.
Excellent accuracy for professional work.
Versatile connectivity options, including USB-C.

Reasons to Avoid

Higher price compared to budget monitors.
Limited refresh rate for gaming enthusiasts.
Integrated speakers may lack premium sound quality.

The LG 27UK850-W is an exceptional monitor that surpasses expectations, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a premium visual experience. With its 27-inch 4K display, this monitor delivers stunning image clarity and vibrant colors, elevating your content to a whole new level. The IPS panel technology ensures wide viewing angles, delivering consistent and accurate colors from various perspectives. This is particularly valuable for sharing content and collaborating on projects, making it an excellent choice for professional environments. Furthermore, this monitor boasts exceptional color reproduction, rendering lifelike hues that are essential for graphic design, photo editing, and video production. This feature sets it apart as a top-tier choice for creative professionals who demand precise color reproduction.

Ergonomics are another strong feature of this monitor, as it offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments, allowing users to find the most comfortable viewing position for extended work sessions. The monitor’s sleek and modern design, complemented by slim bezels, adds a touch of sophistication to any workspace, creating an immersive and enjoyable visual environment.

In conclusion, the LG 27UK850-W stands out as a top-notch monitor that impresses with its exceptional display performance, versatile connectivity options, and ergonomic design. Its stunning 4K resolution, wide color gamut, and seamless integration make it a valuable asset for professionals and creatives, enhancing their creative journey.

How Do We Evaluate Monitors For Mac Mini?

In the world of professional design, choosing the right monitor for your Mac Mini is a critical decision. As designers, we seek displays that effortlessly translate our creative vision into captivating visuals. When evaluating monitors for use with your Mac Mini, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure you choose the best option.

Display Size and Resolution: Consider the screen size and resolution that will suit your needs. Larger screens like 27 or even 32-inch screens provide more workspace for multitasking and immersive experiences, while compact ones can fit any workstation, no matter how limited in may be. As for resolution, for those starting out, Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution is a solid choice, but as your monitor becomes a professional tool, we recommend upgrading to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) for sharper imagery and larger screens.

Panel Type: The most common panel types are IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), and TN (Twisted Nematic). In most of the cases IPS panels offer the best color reproduction and wide viewing angles, making them ideal for tasks that require precise color reproduction. On the other hand, VA (Vertical Alignment) panels offer deep blacks and high contrast ratios, while TN (Twisted Nematic) panels are known for their fast response times, making them suitable for gaming or tasks where motion blur needs to be minimized.

Color Accuracy: If you require accurate color reproduction for visual-intensive tasks like graphic design or photo editing, look for monitors with good accuracy and support for wide color gamuts. Industry standards in this realm are sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3. For graphic designers seeking professional-grade displays, I’d recommend 100% AdobeRGB coverage or broader DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives-Protocol 3) color space, especially for video editing.

Ergonomics: Carefully look foe the monitor’s adjustability options, such as tilt, swivel, and height adjustments, when choosing the perfect match. Ergonomics play a significant role in your overall comfort and productivity. Look for monitors that offer adjustable stands, that enables you to find the perfect viewing position, reducing strain and enhancing your overall experience.

Refresh Rate and Response Time: For tasks involving fast-moving visuals, such as gaming or video editing, consider the refresh rate and response time of the monitor. A higher refresh rate, typically 60Hz or higher, ensures smooth and fluid motion, while lower response times minimize blur and ghosting effects. These features contribute to a more immersive and enjoyable experience.

Budget: Last but not least, determine your budget range and find a monitor that strikes the right balance between features and performance within that range. Remember, finding the best monitor for your Mac Mini doesn’t necessarily mean choosing the most expensive option. There are excellent monitors available at various price points that deliver exceptional value for your money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best monitor for photo editing on Mac Mini?

The BenQ SW2700PT is a top choice for photographers and graphic designers seeking professional-grade performance for their Mac Mini photo editing workflow. With its 27-inch QHD display, it delivers exceptional accuracy and wide viewing angles, essential for precise image editing. While multiple connectivity options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB 3.0 ports, ensures seamless integration.

Which monitor is good for Mac Mini M2?

The Dell U2720Q is a great monitor for the Mac Mini M2. With its 27-inch 4K display, accurate colors, and USB-C connectivity, it offers a sharp and vibrant viewing experience that complements the powerful capabilities of the Mac Mini M2. Whether you’re working on graphic design projects, video editing, or simply enjoying multimedia content, the Dell U2720Q provides the visual quality and functionality to enhance your Mac Mini M2 experience.

What kind of monitor can I use with a Mac Mini?

Firstly look for a monitor that offers a compatible interface such as HDMI or USB-C. Consider the display size and resolution that suits your needs, whether it’s a compact 24-inch monitor or bigger 32-inch display. Additionally, opt for a monitor with good color gamut coverage and wide viewing angles, typically found in IPS or similar panel technologies. Finally, ensure that the monitor is compatible with macOS and supports the desired resolution and refresh rate.

What type of monitor is needed for Mac mini?

For a Mac Mini, you’ll need a monitor that supports the desired resolution, has compatible ports like HDMI or Thunderbolt port, and offers good color gamut coverage along with wide viewing angles. Ensure the monitor is compatible with macOS and has the necessary connectivity options to seamlessly integrate with your Mac Mini setup. By finding a monitor that meets these criteria, you can enhance your productivity and visual experience with your Mac Mini.

The post 6 Best Monitors For Mac Mini in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

12 Best Cricut Programs in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 13:21:34 +0000

The Designest may receive compensation from companies, products, and services featured in this publication. For more details, please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure page.

Are you a crafting enthusiast or a DIY aficionado? Then you’ve likely heard of the Cricut machine, a cutting tool that’s a game-changer for anyone who loves to create. From intricate paper cutouts to custom vinyl decals, the Cricut machine performs a variety of tasks with remarkable precision. But let’s not forget — this powerful machine shines its brightest when paired with the right software.

Quality programs not only make designing your Cricut projects a breeze but also enable you to unlock the machines’s full potential. So whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, choosing the right software will elevate your crafting experience to new heights. Stick around as we dive into the 12 best Cricut programs you should consider this October.

Top 12 Best Cricut Programs

Cricut Design Space
Adobe Illustrator
Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)
CorelDRAW Graphics Suiteo
Vectr
Inkscape
Silhouette Studio
Easy Cut Studio
CanvasWorkspace
Affinity Designer
Corel Vector
Canva

Cricut Design Space

Platforms

Windows 10 or later
MacOS 11 or later
iOS 15 or later
Android 10.0 or higher

Pricing

Free
Cricut Access $9.99/month

Cricut Design Space is the ultimate all-in-one solution for Cricuts. When it comes to seamless integration with Cricut, nothing beats this software among free apps. Moreover, it offers thousands of pre-designed templates, making it easier to start creating even if you’re a newbie. It is also a cloud-based software, so you can easily access your projects from wherever you are. Unfortunately, despite its numerous advantages, no program is perfect. Internet connection dependency and occasional lags, especially when working on complex projects may deter some users. However, in my opinion, the pros still outweigh it, making Cricut software an exceptional choice for any crafting enthusiast.

Native Cricut software stands out for its ease of use, diverse design options, and cross-platform availability. So whether you’re stepping into the world of crafting or you’re a seasoned expert, this program promises to enrich your creative journey.

Adobe Illustrator

Platforms

Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
MacOS 10.15 or later

Pricing

$20.99/month

Adobe Illustrator is a dream when it comes to professional graphic designers, especially paired with Adobe Photoshop. Although it may be overkill for beginners starting to explore the Cricut machine capabilities. The primary focus on vector-based design ensures that your creations are scalable and won’t lose quality, ideal for large or complex Cricut files. First and foremost, there are awesome Pen Tools and Shape Builder that allows you to manipulate images with unparalleled precision. You can also take advantage of thousands of fonts and graphics readily available within the software, that will empower you to make truly unique crafts. Advanced layering options and work with multiple artboards make it easier to optimize your workflow. It also works seamlessly with Cricut via exporting your vector images as SVG files.

Adobe Illustrator isn’t just a robust design tool; it’s an investment in your crafting future. Some might say too expensive, but still, whether you’re a crafting enthusiast or a professional, Illustrator will elevate your Cricut experience.

Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL)

Platforms

Windows XP or later
MacOS 10.11 or later
iPadOS 11 or later
Android OS

Pricing

Desktop license $80.00
Tablet app $9.99

SCAL sets itself apart with custom fonts that can be used directly from any installed library, saving you time and expanding your design options. The shadow layering feature adds depth and complexity to your designs, while the ability to trace images means you can easily convert any picture into a cuttable format. Welding overlapping letters and shapes creates seamless designs. This program supports a wide variety of electronic cutting machines and is fully compatible with Cricut via SVG export. The software’s interface is customizable to suit your preferences and needs, although it’s not as intuitive as other options on the list and is quite outdated.

SCAL distinguishes itself with a versatile set of features, that makes it a flexible option for various machines, including Cricut. However, its less-than-modern interface could be a sticking point for users accustomed to more intuitive software.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Platforms

Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
MacOS 12 or later

Pricing

subscription $36.58/month
one-time purchase $859.00

CorelDRAW offers a broad suite of features, making it a powerful choice for professionals in the design industry. Its vector illustration capability makes it the best software for the creation of intricate and scalable designs, perfectly suited for both small and large projects. Speaking of large projects, the software also excels in handling multi-page layouts, giving users the ability to manage complex tasks with ease. When it comes to color, CorelDRAW doesn’t disappoint. Its advanced color management settings offer precise control, allowing you to achieve the perfect hues for your designs. Typography is another area where the software shines, with a wide array of fonts and text options to choose from. As for compatibility with Cricut machines, it allows you to export files in SVG format, ensuring a seamless workflow from design to cutting.

With CorelDRAW, you get a comprehensive design tool that’s perfect for those who are already comfortable in a digital design environment, while occasional users may find it quite overwhelming to start with.

Vectr

Platforms

Web-based

Pricing

Free
Premium starts at $9.99/year

Vectr is a uniquely powerful tool that delivers a range of features essential for aspiring crafters. The most noteworthy feature is its real-time collaboration capability. With Vectr, you can share your design via a unique URL and watch changes happen in real-time as you or someone else works on it. This feature sets it apart from many other design tools on the market. The platform also boasts web cross-platform capabilities, although it means internet connection dependency. Some users might find its feature set to be a bit limited, though its free price tag ensures accessibility to all.

Vectr stands out as the best budget software for Cricut beginners, especially favored by those who value collaboration. While its features cover most of the tasks, photo editing is not one of those.

Inkscape

Platforms

Windows 8.1 or later
MacOS 11.3 or later
Linux

Pricing

Free

Inkscape is a unique entrant in the list of design software, chiefly because it is an open-source program, meaning it is a completely free app. This budget-friendly aspect is a significant draw for hobbyists and professionals alike. When it comes to creating scalable vector designs that are essential for cutting projects, Inkscape shines. The software offers a range of extensions or plugins that add extra functionalities, enhancing its versatility for specialized tasks. However, the software does come with its challenges; the interface may require a bit of learning, and Mac users will find it lacks native support, it’s not an Apple users platform. Nevertheless, its file formats support ensures it plays nicely with Cricut machines, making it a solid option for those who are budget-conscious but still desire a range of features.

Inkscape is one of the best free software for Cricut software, especially with its zero-cost, open-source platform. Its strong focus on vector graphics and extendable functionalities make it a flexible option for crafting custom and complex designs for your cutting machine.

Silhouette Studio

Platforms

Windows 10 or later
MacOS 11 or later

Pricing

Free
Designer Edition $49.99

Silhouette Studio brings a host of user-friendly features that are particularly relevant for Cricut users. Starting with its Design Store, which makes graphic design a breeze, offering a myriad of premium designs at your fingertips. In the first place, it’s intended for Silhouette cutting machines, but if you get the Design edition of the Silhouette Studio software you can easily export your creation as SVG to cut with any other machine, there’s no need to convert files. What is awesome about this app is its PixScan technology which allows you to digitize a stamp collection or turn a hand-drawn sketch into a cut job using a camera or scanner.

While those looking for more advanced editing capabilities might find the software a bit limiting. Nonetheless, its compatibility with Cricut machines through SVG export ensures that it’s a solid choice for those prioritizing ease of use and an extensive design library.

Easy Cut Studio

Platforms

Windows XP or later
MacOS 10.8 to 13.5

Pricing

$69.95

Easy Cut Studio stands out for its specialized toolset tailored for cutting projects. What initially catches your eye is the software’s dated yet intuitive user interface. It’s surprisingly easy to navigate and create designs for cutting. Also, it’s not just about basic shapes and texts. One particularly compelling feature is the ‘Trace Image to Shapes’ tool, which lets you convert raster images into cuttable vector shapes with minimal effort. Importantly, the software provides advanced color separation and layer handling, giving you the creative freedom to manage complex, multi-colored designs with ease. While Easy Cut Studio primarily markets itself for use with a range of other cutting machines, it also offers support for Cricut machines via SVG export.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, Easy Cut Studio offers a blend of user-friendly design and advanced features, making it a worthy consideration for your Cricut designs. It also has a real-time preview, enabling you to see exactly how your design will look when cut.

CanvasWorkspace

Platforms

Windows 8.1 or later
MacOS 10.14 or later
Web-based

Pricing

Free

CanvasWorkspace seamlessly blends convenience and functionality in its design-focused environment. Originally designed for Brother machines, its ability to export various file formats adds a layer of compatibility with Cricut machines. The platform’s layout is intuitively organized, streamlining the design process and reducing the learning time for newcomers. What sets it apart is its online cloud-based feature that allows you to access your designs from anywhere. On the one hand, it is a massive boon for busy creatives, but on the other, it requires a stable internet connection, which could be a downside for some users. Additionally, it has an impressive variety of built-in free templates for simple designs, ideal for when inspiration strikes on the fly.

CanvasWorkspace offers a feature-rich, flexible design platform that’s tailored for vector graphics, making it the best software for Cricut apart from the original one.

Affinity Designer

Platforms

Windows 10 or later
MacOS 10.15 or later
iPadOS 15 or later

Pricing

Desktop $69.99
iPad $18.49

Affinity Designer offers an array of professional-grade features that make it stand out as software compatible with Cricut. One of its most appealing features is the ability to switch between vector and raster modes, giving you the best of both worlds when it comes to design. The software also offers various grid systems, which are invaluable for achieving precise, clean lines—something that Cricut users often seek. With the remarkable zoom capability of up to 1,000,000%, you can delve into the tiniest details of your design, ensuring that what gets cut is pixel-perfect. To make the design process even smoother, Affinity Designer offers customizable shortcuts so you can tailor your workflow exactly how you like it.

Affinity Designer is a robust alternative to other design software. While it may have a steeper learning curve, the absence of a subscription model and the software’s extensive capabilities make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about their Cricut crafting.

Corel Vector

Platforms

Web-based

Pricing

$99.99/year

Corel Vector is a web-based vector graphics-focused software for Cricut. It provides diverse, pre-made templates and all the tools you may need to make your own designs. The software’s cloud integration is another feather in its cap, ensuring that you can access your craft files when you’re ready to cut them with your Cricut machine, regardless of your location. This app provides a clean and intuitive extremely user-friendly interface making it easier for you to get your designs Cricut-ready. With unlimited cloud storage, you can keep your designs safe, synced, and available anywhere and anytime.

Corel Vector emerges as a solid choice for Cricut users, especially those who need the flexibility to work across different platforms. While it might be costly for hobbyists, it provides powerful vector-editing features to satisfy even pro-designers.

Canva

Platforms

Web-based
iOS 13.0 or higher
Android 6.0 or higher

Pricing

Free
Pro version $14.99/month

If you like it simple and flexible wherever you go, then Canva is a choice for you. This is one of the most popular design apps among unprofessional creatives. Its drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly to the extreme. Additionally, this free Cricut software platform offers multi-platform support, allowing you to work on your browser and switch to its mobile app when you’re on the move. Lastly, Canva provides a robust collection of a vast library of pre-designed free templates and stock elements including photos, icons, and graphics, covering almost all your design needs. When it comes to compatibility with Cricut, Canva allows you to export your designs as SVG or PNG files, which you can then upload into Design Space for cutting or drawing.

Canva is nice for those who prioritize ease of use and collaborative features. As long as this software is primarily raster-oriented, vector features may be limited, but it’s still an option if you need to create something quick and loose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What program do I use for Cricut?

The primary software designed for Cricut machines is Cricut Design Space. This program is directly integrated with Cricut’s hardware and offers an intuitive interface that makes it easier to design, edit, and cut or draw your projects. From simple vinyl decals to intricate paper crafts, Design Space is versatile enough to handle a broad spectrum of creative tasks.

Is the Cricut program free?

Yes, the basic version of Design Space is free to use. You can download it on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The free version offers numerous design features and templates, enough to get you started on a wide range of basic designs. However, if you are looking to expand your creative possibilities, Cricut offers a subscription-based service known as Cricut Access.

What apps are good for Cricut?

Apart from the original Cricut software, several other software programs are compatible with Cricut machines and offer a variety of features that can enhance your crafting experience. For example, Adobe Illustrator is perfect for those looking for advanced vector design capabilities. Sure Cuts A Lot is popular for its wide range of custom fonts and shadow layering features. While Silhouette Studio offers PixScan technology and a design store full of premium templates.

Is there a better app than Cricut Design Space?

Determining whether there is a “better” app than Cricut Design Space depends on your particular needs, skills, and the complexity of your graphic designs. While Design Space offers seamless integration with Cricut machines and is user-friendly, programs like Adobe Illustrator provide more advanced design tools suitable for professional use. Try a few different options to see which one aligns best with your crafting goals.

The post 12 Best Cricut Programs in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

Bad Graphic Design Examples: Good vs Bad Graphic Design

Evgenia Papicheva — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:13:51 +0000

Actually, we all know the only true definition of bad graphic design — it’s the one that has been made by someone else but you. In order to help you keep this statement correct, we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to the design failures. After going through our selection of bad graphic design examples, you’ll be able to spot and avoid many common pitfalls in your creations. Look, laugh, learn.

Jokes aside, graphic design is the practice of projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The goal is to convey a particular message or idea in a way that is both effective and aesthetically pleasing. I use the term ‘practice’ intentionally because the word ‘art’ often confuses novice graphic designers and makes them think that a designer’s job is about aesthetic and artistic expression only. This misunderstanding often becomes the root of epic design fails.

Graphic design usually has a specific objective, whether it’s to sell, inform, entertain, or evoke an emotion. It utilizes text and visuals to communicate a message and leverage the audience. What’s important — target audience. Graphic design often tailors its work to communicate effectively to a specific group of people. Thereby, good graphic design delivers the message the best way possible, while bad doesn’t.

This can manifest in numerous ways. At its core, poor graphic design fails to serve its intended audience or achieve its goal, but with just a little understanding graphic designers can cure this. We all agree that design is subjective, but there are certain universal indicators of inferior design. Let’s have a closer look at the common design mistakes and bad graphic design examples, so you don’t make them in your own projects.

Key Mistakes in Graphic Design

1. Lack of Clear Hierarchy

In the complex dance of design elements on a canvas, visual hierarchy plays the role of a choreographer, guiding the viewer’s eye with purpose and intent. At its core, hierarchy is about organizing information in a way that conveys importance, sequence, and interrelation ensuring a smooth user experience. A well-implemented visual hierarchy seamlessly takes a viewer through a journey — from the most dominant element, often the main message or focal point, to the more nuanced, subsidiary details. It’s a delicate balance of size, color, contrast, spacing, and placement that helps in distilling complex messages into digestible visuals. However, mistakes in establishing a clear visual hierarchy can confuse, disorient, or even repel viewers. Signs of poor hierarchy are glaring even for non-designers yet often overlooked:

Equal Visual Weight to All Elements

If everything on the canvas screams for attention, nothing stands out. When every element — from the main headline to the tiniest footnote — bears the same visual weight, the design becomes a cacophony of words and images where the main message is lost. Bombarding viewers with excessive information is counterproductive — no one will capture it. Just go on any news website to experience this. Have you ever tried to navigate through all the self-playing videos and sponsored articles to find what you’re here for?

Missing Focal Point

Every design should have a north star — a focal point that immediately draws the eye. Without this, the viewer’s gaze wanders aimlessly, making it harder to convey the primary message or evoke the desired emotion. One of the common mistakes is when everything appears equally weighted, leaving viewers unsure where to look first. It can be called a graphic design fail as long as it disrupts the flow, provides an unsatisfactory user experience, and eventually ends up with the viewer’s confusion rather than understanding. To remedy this it’s better to add more white space balancing content blocks.

Neglecting Clear Spacing and Grouping

Elements related to each other, when spaced too far apart or unevenly, can disrupt the flow and confuse viewers. Complex fancy layouts with multiple columns, boxes, and sections can disorient readers leaving them guessing and squinting what was it all about. Of course, by a professional designer, this faux pas may be used as a design tool but it takes a lot of trial and error (and sometimes even epic design fails) to balance readability and artistism, so exercise caution.

To sidestep these pitfalls, it takes just a little understanding and a lot of planning:

Define the primary message, secondary information, and any tertiary details.
Sketch or wireframe your design first, enabling you to visualize the hierarchy before diving into the finer details.
Use white space generously to give elements room to breathe.
Regularly step back and assess the design from a distance or ask for feedback to ensure the visual flow is logical and intuitive.
Remember, the goal of visual hierarchy is not just aesthetic; it’s to ensure that the design communicates effectively and provides a satisfying experience for the viewer.

2. Poor Color Choices

Colors are the symphony of visual design, creating mood, evoking emotions, and setting the tone for any piece. They communicate even before shapes, words, or images do, that’s how the human brain works. Studies show, that the moment you experience the color it affects you instantly without you even noticing. It’s a powerful tool, but just like a discordant note in a song, poor color scheme can quickly derail even the most well-intentioned designs. Therefore, to create a really impactful project choose used spectrum wisely.

Ignoring Color Psychology

Every color evokes an emotion or a reaction. Red can signify urgency or passion, while blue might convey trust and calm. In most situations, green is for ‘yes’ and red is for ‘no’. Using the wrong color for a message while following color trends can confuse the viewer or even convey the exact opposite of an intended emotion. This is a huge thing in logo design, where careful choice of the color scheme is an essential part.

Overcomplicating the Palette

Simplicity often trumps complexity. Using too many colors can overwhelm the viewer and dilute brand identity. It’s generally wise for graphic designers to stick to a primary palette of 2-3 main colors, supplemented by a few secondary or accent colors.

Ignoring Accessibility

It’s crucial to ensure that designs are accessible to everyone, including those with color blindness or visual impairments. Lack of contrast is the most often accessibility mistake. Light gray text on a white background might look sleek and modern, but if it’s too light, your message is lost.

Why did I miss the clashing colors? Because when used thoughtfully it can become a great design choice in some cases. There was a time when it was one of the color trends. It’s not ‘no-no’, it’s just ‘be sure why are you doing this’ and, as always — communication first.

To avoid these colorful pitfalls, here the good design tips:

Always start with a clear understanding of the project’s goals and the audience’s needs.
Ensure that the chosen colors align with the message or mood you intend to communicate.
Adhere to a limited primary color palette, preferably 2-3 colors.
Employ tools like color wheels, contrast checkers, and graphic design software that can suggest harmonious palettes.
Regularly seek feedback, and don’t hesitate to iterate and adjust.
Prioritize readability, remember, colors are not just decorative; they’re communicative.

3. Misuse of Fonts and Styles

Typography is the voice of design. It speaks volumes, not just in words, but in style, tone, and context. Fonts can be as evocative as images, but their misuse can spell disaster. Beyond aesthetics, poorly chosen fonts can alienate or confuse the audience, making content inaccessible or misrepresenting the intended tone. We designers must balance form and function, ensuring that our typeface choices enhance, rather than hinder, the overall communicative goal.

Overloading with Styles

In the vast sea of fonts available, it’s tempting to use multiple typefaces, thinking it adds flair. However, using too many can make a design seem disjointed and unprofessional. It can result in feeling inconsistent in design. Not many viewers (nor creators) can understand the artistic idea of why this exact page needs 8 different styles and what they represent. They’ll just say that it’s chaos.

Sacrificing Legibility

Decorative fonts have their place, but abusing or using them in the wrong context can compromise readability. It’s crucial to ensure that text remains clear and legible, especially in primary content areas. Also, good kerning (spacing between characters) and leading (spacing between lines) can greatly affect readability and aesthetics. Remember? Design is a communication.

Forgetting Context

A playful, whimsical typeface might appear inappropriate in a solemn context, just as a formal serif might feel out of place on a children’s event poster. Always consider the message and audience when choosing the right font. Also, note that some fonts look fantastic alone but jarring when paired. Research and tools dedicated to fonts pairing can guide you in choosing typefaces that enhance each other.

To navigate the intricacies of typography effectively, you need to begin with the end in mind: Who is your audience? What is your message? Tools like typography books, font pairing guides, typographical scale calculators, and graphic design software with built-in kerning and leading adjustments can be invaluable.

Not to fail with styles use the general rule of thumb: stick to 2-3 typefaces that complement each other— perhaps one for headings and another for body text. Keep it simple and elegant. And, as always, seek feedback and keep refining. Typography, when done right, can elevate a design from ordinary to extraordinary, so give it the attention and respect it deserves.

4. Lack of Alignment and Consistency

Alignment and consistency in graphic design are akin to the rhythmic beats that give cadence to a piece of music. They provide structure, create balance, and set the tone for a cohesive visual narrative. Ensuring alignment and maintaining consistency not only beautifies the design but also clarifies the message, making your work both pleasing and purposeful.

Random Placement of Elements

One of the most noticeable missteps is placing elements haphazardly. Without proper alignment, designs can look unorganized and disjointed, making it difficult for the viewer to navigate or absorb the content. Even mixing alignment types without a strong purpose is not welcome, try to stick to the most user-friendly left-side alignment. Another common mistake is inconsistent spacing around elements or the edges. To ensure a balanced and harmonious look it’s crucial to keep them uniform.

Lack of Repetition

Repeating certain design elements or styles can create a sense of unity and consistency. Using the same colors, fonts, or styles for similar elements or sections enhances user experience and elevates the whole project. While randomly introducing new styles or elements can make the design feel fragmented and untrustworthy. Consistency in styling not only distinguishes the works of a good designer but also reinforces recognition of the brand you’re working for. That’s why many companies have their own brandbook.

Here are some design tips on how to maintain alignment and consistency in your own projects:

Start with defining your limitations: Set style guidelines at the outset, determine fonts, colors, and other design elements you may and may not use.
Utilize grid systems available in most of the design software. By dictating the rhythm and flow of content, grids foster coherence, enhancing readability and the overall user experience.
Review your work periodically, checking alignments, margins, and styles. Zooming out and viewing the design as a thumbnail can also help spot misalignments or inconsistencies.
Always remember, that design is as much about the white space between elements as the elements themselves.

5. Ignoring Audience and Context

To call yourself a professional designer, creating visually stunning work is only half the battle. What is the other half? Ensuring that the design speaks effectively to its intended audience and fits its context like a glove. When designers neglect to consider who they’re speaking to and where their design will be seen, they risk creating work that, while beautiful, might be ineffective or even counterproductive. Don’t be one of those bad designers.

Ignoring Medium Specs

Every platform, whether print, web, or digital ad space, has its unique specifications and requirements. A design that looks stunning on a desktop screen might not translate well to mobile or billboard dimensions. In addition to the tech specs, different mediums have different audiences. So it’s essential to keep in mind where your work will be placed and who will see it.

Misaligned Messaging

One of the most evident signs of neglecting audience and context is when the design’s messaging feels out of place. Let’s take Comic Sans font as an example. This typeface is quite good for dyslexia, but emotional baggage and meme flare instantly turn everything related to this font into a joke. As well as designs intended for diverse audiences should always consider cultural sensitivities.

To circumvent these challenges, the solution starts long before the actual design phase: in research and planning that constitutes good design practice. Understand the target audience’s preferences, habits, and needs. Familiarize yourself with the platforms or mediums the design will appear on.

And always, always design with empathy – place yourself in the shoes of the end viewer and ask if the design feels relevant, resonant, and appropriate. By anchoring your design process in context and audience considerations, you not only make your work visually captivating but also contextually powerful and impactful.

6. Overdesign and Overcomplication

In our quest for originality and impact, we designers often tread the path between artistic expression and overwhelming excess. Overdesign, or the act of adding unnecessary elements and complexities to a piece, can overshadow the message, confuse the viewer, and detract from the core purpose of the design.

Unfortunately, there may be clients unfamiliar with minimalist design and basic design principles, thinking that more different elements result in more style, otherwise, they wasted money on a bad graphic designer. Well, in this case, it’s our duty to educate them and not let the following mistakes happen.

Muddled Message

By this point, I guess, you’ve deeply learned that, at its heart, design communicates. Therefore, it’s best to aim for clarity first. A well-composed design directs the viewer’s attention strategically. If viewers are lost in a great number of elements and struggle to discern the primary message, it’s a sign that the design might be overcomplicated. Or there may be another example for this case, when in pursuit of artistry designer completely ignores the “clarity – first” principle and eventually makes poor design choices that lead to design catastrophy.

Crouded Canvas

White space, or negative space, is a designer’s best friend. It offers breathing room, emphasizes what’s truly important and balancing content blocks. An over-designed piece often feels cramped, with every inch filled. Graphics and other design elements should serve a purpose — either aiding in communication or enhancing aesthetics. If removing an element doesn’t affect the design’s message or balance, it might be superfluous.

The key to sidestepping overdesign lies in embracing the principle of ‘less is more.’ Begin with a clear understanding of the design’s objective and core message. As you craft, regularly step back and assess — does each element enhance and serve the purpose? Be willing to edit ruthlessly, and always prioritize clarity and effective communication. Seeking feedback from peers or target audience members can also offer invaluable insights. Remember, true design mastery is not just about knowing what to add, but also recognizing what to leave out.

How to Avoid Design Mistakes

It’s worth noting that while certain aspects of design can be subjective, there are widely recognized standards and best practices in the field that help in distinguishing good design from bad. At the heart of every compelling design lie fundamental principles that ensure a clear, cohesive, and communicative outcome. So it’s always best to start with the basics like contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity, balance, hierarchy, and the strategic use of white space.

By embracing these principles, graphic designers not only enhance aesthetics but also ensure their designs communicate effectively and resonate with their intended audience. While ignoring these foundational principles is akin to constructing a building on shaky ground. No matter how beautiful individual elements might be, without these guiding rules, the overall structure is susceptible to chaos and confusion.

When Bad Design is Not So Bad

At the same time, it’s important to remember that there are graphic design styles that intentionally mimic what many might consider “bad design”, while not being examples of the last. These styles often aim to challenge conventional norms or tap into nostalgia. Here are the most notable styles:

Brutalism

Inspired by brutalist architecture, brutalist web and graphic design are characterized by a raw, unpolished look. Websites might have clashing colors, basic typefaces, and lack conventional hierarchy, mimicking early internet aesthetics.

Anti-Design or “Ugly” Design

This style challenges traditional aesthetics by intentionally using elements traditionally seen as “bad” design choices. Think too neon backgrounds, discordant patterns, and misaligned elements. Brands, especially in the fashion industry, have adopted this to stand out and appear avant-garde.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bad graphic design?

Bad graphic design goes beyond mere aesthetics; it’s a misfire in visual communication. Often stemming from a lack of understanding or respect for design fundamentals, such work can present as chaotic, disjointed, or simply ill-fitted for its intended purpose. Ignoring elements like target audience, cultural nuances, or platform specifications can render a design ineffective, regardless of the amount of effort poured into it. Beyond aesthetics, poor designs may also carry misleading or confusing messages, leading to potential miscommunication.

What is a good graphic design?

Good graphic design is a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. It’s not just about creating something visually pleasing; it’s about ensuring that the visual medium enhances the message. Such designs are rooted in a profound understanding of the brand’s essence, the audience’s psyche, and the nuances of the medium. Good design speaks volumes without uttering a word. It creates connections, evokes emotions, and drives actions, all while presenting a coherent and appealing visual story.

How do you know if graphic design is bad?

While subjective taste plays a role, universally, designs that are hard to interpret, misaligned with their audience, or simply aesthetically jarring can be termed as bad designers choice. These designs often overlook crucial elements like color psychology, typography rules, or layout dynamics. But the most telling sign is the inability to communicate its core message effectively or to resonate with its target audience.

What makes a good graphic design?

The essence of fine-quality graphic design lies in its ability to seamlessly meld form and function. This involves a strategic application of design principles, ensuring that every visual element, from color to typography, serves a distinct purpose. It means designing with the end-user in mind, creating visuals that cater to their preferences, cultural backgrounds, and needs. It’s about striking a balance, ensuring the design is neither too sparse nor too cluttered, and every component enhances the overall message.

How do you make a bad design?

Many designers know that designing without a clear vision or purpose is a straight path to ineffective outcomes. Overloading visuals, being inconsistent in style, neglecting the basics of typography, and choosing unsuitable color combinations are classic pitfalls. However, the most significant contributor to bad design is the lack of empathy and understanding for the end-user. Ignoring audience feedback, neglecting user testing, or designing in a vacuum, isolated from real-world context, often yields questionable results.

What makes a good logo?

The hallmark of a good logo is its memorability and adaptability. It encapsulates a brand’s essence in a simple, easily recognizable form, remains effective across various mediums and sizes. It should resonate with the brand’s core audience, reflecting the brand’s values, ethos, and market position. A good logo stands the test of time, remaining relevant and effective even as trends evolve.

The post Bad Graphic Design Examples: Good vs Bad Graphic Design appeared first on The Designest.

65+ Best Neon Fonts For 2024 ⇮ Free & Paid

Evgenia Papicheva — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:23:41 +0000

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The neon mania won’t let us go, have you noticed that? The marketplaces groan under the abundance of effects, typography, and whatever to help you join the movement.

Essential Neon Fonts

Neonisans Monoline with Neon Effect

Avaneonz — Neon Font

Hastron | Neon Monoline Script

Parylicious – Modern Neon Light Font

Neon Ballroom

Neon Absolute — Font Duo

elements.envato.com

After two issues of neon wallpapers I’ve realized, we can deliver even more of the trending as well as to show how different neon resources can be. Therefore, find featured an entire variety of retro and modern design tools: neon fonts, neon sign constructors, sets of neon letters and even more of neon from the key freebie platforms and product creators.

All of these are a great visual solution to attract attention without producing the ‘too much’ effect. The flashing colors, pre-made compositions do the work for you mostly — you just need to pick the words to sound as vibrant as they look with neon. Somewhat fast and simple, check how it works for yourself!

Our Team’s Top Pick

Neon Type

Do you want to recreate neon lights in your artwork? Here comes a tool for you. Discover neon lettering in all its glory with a professionally crafted Photoshop template. It will help you create realistic signages in the popping style, and we’re sure there is no other glow font to compete with this toolbox. For your convenience, there are layered shadows and reflections for customization of each character, and the neon letters are provided in both light on and off modes — you can play with this neon lights font and see what fits you more.

Neonblitz — Retro Neon

Introducing Neonblitz, a neon sign font with a unique retro style that can make your logotype more interesting. The font is inspired by real-world neon lights and neon club music, it features minimal letter forms with smooth rounded corners and true-to-real neon tubes. Among other neon sign fonts this font is perfect for adding your neon lights and glowing effects. Or it can be used to actually design a realistic neon sign.

Mexcellent Font Family

Stacko Neon Font

What can be better for a retro neon sign design than shiny, sparkly neon fonts reminiscent of neon lights and their perfect lines? Its eye-pleasing colors will surely catch everyone’s attention to your brand name, company slogan or any message you want to share with the world. And with this font for neon sign, those projects of yours will be in the limelight for a long time! In the download you’ll find all the elements you need for creating an outstanding product, including the whole character set.

Neonisans Monoline with Neon Effect

Fuse — Realistic Neon Typeface

Fuse includes a decorative neon font Photoshop file. inspired by real-world neon lights. It features geometric letterforms with smooth rounded corners, true to real neon tubes. One of the best neon sign fonts, this realistic neon typeface is perfect for music promotion, film titles, Youtube tutorials, gig posters, editorial use, signs, logos, or bold headlines for your design projects. Create your own neon sign with this tool.

Codeca One — Techno Sans

Neon Ballroom

If you are attracted to vivid neon lights as much as we are, this font is the perfect one for you. It was inspired by the old shop front lettering. Speaking of the OpenType features, the font has a 203 character set and it looks great in a real neon sign or logos, labels, product packaging, party invitations, vintage wall paint advertisements and any other project you want to add some brightness. A nice bonus is that you can easily share your ideas in any language you want as multilingual support is also included.

Lasenter Font

Hastron Neon Monoline Script

If you find inspiration in neon lights, I got a tool for you! Hastron is a neon script font with a calligraphic style that’ll look beautiful on party invitations, greeting cards, branding materials, business cards, icons, quotes, gig posters, and more! It includes upper and lowercase letters that will look stunning on your own neon sign. The alternative characters of the monoline neon font were divided into several features such as stylistic and contextual OpenType alternates, extensive collection of glyphs, swashes, and ligatures. Also, this realistic neon text font with classic retro vibe has given PUA Unicode so that all the special characters can be easily accessed in full.

Beon Font

Stacker Neon Sci-Fi Futuristic

Introducing a neon font that can make your logotype more memorable and eye-catching. The typeface features uppercase and lowercase letterforms with smooth rounded corners and, just like the real tubes, strictly uses lines with open start and endpoints. All those little details make the font perfect for adding to your toolbox of glowing light effects so you can actually design contemporary neon signs. You can use it to add bright light to your creative projects such as headlines, film titles, icons, posters, logos, signs, badges, and many more.

Neon Bines Font

Neomarket Retro Neon Sign Font

Plunge into the nostalgia of the late 80s with this neon sign font! Whether you are working on labels, web design, logo designs or you just want to showcase your text in a unique way, the typeface will make all your clients focus on your project. It provides you with the whole character set and will help you get the aesthetic result you were dreaming of in a minute. It’s neon magic! Play around with different textures, styles, add bright drawings — do everything you want to achieve your creative goals and leave big impression.

Neoncity Signature Neon Font

Rocket Clouds Neon Font

Introducing a font that was inspired by starry nights, 1980’s music style and neon lights. As a contemporary take on retro neon stylings, this font duo will bring your neon sign designs to life with an infusion of boisterous nostalgia. Rocket Clouds comes in two styles, Rocket Clouds Regular and Rocket Clouds Alt, that you can play with for the most shiny final look of your own neon sign.

Neon Display Font

Free Neon Font

The font will make you wonder why you haven’t come across it earlier. Its smooth neon letters with blended colors will make you want to work with this neon typeface over and over again! Plus, it suits any project you are working on: headlines for your blog, web design, signages, cards and much more. It’s licensed for both commepcial and non-commercial use. The file you download includes the whole letter set, numbers and symbols, so you won’t rack your brain over finding all the needed elements for your artwork.

Neon God Font

Robinson Outline Font

Robinson is a neon sign cursive font inspired by vintage newspaper titles. It’s great for having a bold and attractive signage followed by a smaller text. Robinson was made specifically with magazines and posters in mind. This neon retro font works really well in the classic-style palette and includes a gorgeously-looking oblique version.

NEONEON Free Font

Newon Modern Neon Light Font

Enjoy your creative ideas turn into actual designs with this realistic neon sign lettering font. It is a perfect typeface for nightclub or bar signages, but you can also use it in any project you want to add some shining to: website designs, social media layouts, print cards and many more. This neon font download provides you with uppercase and lowercase letters and ligatures, so you can recreate the picture you see in your head on the screen of your device with ease.

Astario

Gods Own Junkyard Neon Type

Designers found the inspiration for this retro font came from Chris “The Neon Man” Bracey, a British artist who owned one of the biggest collections of neon signs and sculpture. Gods Own Junkyard comprises 92 glyphs in total: uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and the basic punctuation marks. This decorative neon font also includes a Photoshop action to make your text glow.

Neon Glow Font

Neonbox — Display Neon Style Font

Introducing a new futuristic display typeface called Neonbox. This decorative neon light font inspired by modern style and technologies will suit logos, covers, banners, posters, branding, UI, titles, and many more. Neonbox provides you with multilingual support. To access the alternate glyphs, you need a program that supports OpenType features such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Corel Draw.

SRFM — Neon Font

Retro Neon — OpenType SVG Color Font

Retro Neon font is a vibrant and colorful display monoline. It uses the OpenType SVG font technology to capture all color gradients. The playful and striking nature of this neon sign type makes it perfect for adding fun personality to branding projects, retro games, posters, magazines and editorial layouts and so much more. Retro Neon signage font comprises 172 characters including alternates glyphs.

Neon Font

Svaya

Welcome a treasure for designers who are looking for new neon sign fonts! Very simple, bold, and modern in design, this font is suitable for both personal and commercial works. It fits headlines, movie titles or posters, as it looks better used in big sizes, but you can play around with it and get a desirable result. This aesthetic neon lights font comes in TTF, WOFF and WOFF2 and includes uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers.

Hikou Outline

Hitcky Super Powered Display Font

Hitcky Super Powered has nothing to do with the ordinary neon sign fonts you are used to. This type looks so modern, fresh, and cyberpunk — so there isn’t a single thought of retro-style signages and all the stuff as you look at it. This glow font comes in 4 styles, regular, italic, bold, and bold italic, so there is plenty of room for your creative search. Try Hitcky Super Powered for movie posters, music, album covers, game design concepts, and everywhere you think you’d need neon typography. To sum it up, this is the best font for neon sign and other projects!

Neon Lettering Text Effect

Axeon — Futuristic Typeface DR

Axeon is a modern font with a futuristic style and neon letters. Imagine a nightclub on Mars! This is the perfect font choice for powerful projects: from quotes and signages to social media posts, packaging, branding, and much more. No special software is needed, so Axeon can be opened in any program that can read standard fonts, even MS Word.

Klaxons — Free Neon Font

ThirtyNine Stencil

If your typeface toolbox is in need of something fresh and new, TypeFaith neon tubes font is for you — this stylish, elegant, geometric typeface with neon letters will help you create outstanding, memorable signages. It is suitable for making neon lights and adding brightness to your artwork. ThirtyNine Stencil is a unique and creative font perfect for strong branding from signatures to logos, posters flyers and book covers. Let it help you to shake off the old feel and to create something new that will leave your clients in awe!

Luminous – Neon Sign Font

Square Neon — 3D Color SVG Font

Has anyone been asking for an SVG neon sign fonts? Your queries have been heard and accomplished! The font is a 3D SVG font that works in Photoshop CC 2017+, Adobe Illustrator CC 2018, and a few Mac apps and is an absolute perfection! This glowing neon font is an irreplaceable pick for futuristic projects, web design, posters, book covers, and apparel that you seek to obtain sharp and glowy style for. You can even make own neon sign to let it shine in all its glory.

Neon Sans Font

Bayshore Neon Glow Font

Perm your hair, squeeze into your lycra, and retro-fy your text with Bayshore! A totally tubular monoline script font with neon letters straight out of the 80’s neon ballroom. This cursive neon font is perfect for creating slick & stylish lettering. Whether you choose it for logos, product packaging or merchandise, Bayshore is guaranteed to give your text an unmistakeable retro neon quality. There is no way you want to miss this neon cursive font!

Neon Sign Photoshop Effect

Neon Absolute — Font Duo

Neon Absolute is a classy, contemporary pair of script and sans neon fonts, inspired by 1980’s visual style and old-school neon typography. These neon letters offer beautiful visual harmony for a diversity of design projects, including logos & branding, social media posts, advertisements & product designs. Your download will receive 3 neon sign fonts, designed to work as perfect companions or simply as strong standalone typefaces.

Futuristic Neon 3D Letteringe

Neon Alphabet Kit

Create your own neon sign with this pack of vintage signage scripts! It includes the best neon fonts with a capital letters, numbers, and a few punctuation marks. You will get two versions for each character: “on” version (with neon glow), and “off”(broken version). Just drag & drop the different elements to create custom scenes and compositions. We’re sure you’ll love playing with these neon sign fonts and using it for creating banners, titles, quotes.

NIMA — Modern Display Typeface

Neon Underground PS Effect

Feel the vibes of a big city with its buzzing streets and back-street bars where jazz meets the image and finally transforms into delicate designs! You can change colors of the neon letters to your liking, try the included background and move from pre-installed pink, cyan, and green to totally personalized ones. Insert braces for more realism if you feel like it or refuse them and make your neon sign airy. Any experiments are allowed for perfect a neon-style signage, so add some bright light you your works!

Condensed Neon 3D Lettering

Freebie Animated Neon Font

You’ve already received all kinds of neon typography: from regular to SVG neon sign fonts. So, how about an animated neon sign typeface in a distinctive modern style? We’re convinced you’ll love this one, as it’s got a perfect appearance and a lot of technical perks for creating a perfect image. Inside the pack, there are 36 neon symbols, decorative elements, background textures, HD & 4K scenes, Photoshop actions, and even 6 sound effects for 10-second animations. Yep, this neon font is a freebie, no pitfalls.

Neon Planet Font Duo

Lumaneon

Lumaneon is a retro display font that screams the 80s style and looks like one of those shiny Las Vegas signages. This font for neon signs can be also used for posters, gaming, headers, social media memes, quotes, home decor, and so much more. Clean lines, with or without the glow, multilingual support, and a massive dose of inspiration as a handy bonus! So, if you were looking for new dope fonts, this one will go straight to your toolbox.

Library 3 am Free Typeface

The Complete Night Light Neon Font Collection

Introducing the font bundle, featuring modern and edgy types. This bundle includes 7 sister neon fonts, all with their own unique style properties: outline, inline, script, compressed and even square. These neon sign fonts are perfect for editorial use, logo designs or bold headings on your website or printed materials. All the provided types come with a lowercase and uppercase alphabet, numerals 0-9, punctuation and multilingual support.

The Neonica Toolbox

7even SVG – Urban Neon Font Pack

7even is inspired by amazingly unique and creative neon typography style. It embodies the glowing signs that are all around us these days, from bars, night clubs to chic clothing stores, barber salons, and stylish furniture boutiques. In this pack, you will find 5 neon fonts. 2 of them are SVG neon sign fonts that have the true and fully realistic neon effect you can see on the provided screenshots. The other 3 are standard versions of the SVG neon fonts that can be used on any computer, in any browser, and in any app.

Rubber Font

Steampunk Neon 3D Lettering

A neon font isn’t always a glowy one — and it doesn’t have to be so in order to pop in your designs. Meet the Steampunk display font, made as a vintage homage to the glorious Victorian age with its powerful and grim industrial vibe. This neon type font comes with uppercase letters, numbers and punctuation marks you can play with and create engaging designs for music promotion, games, and posters.

Luminous Neon Text Effect

The Neon Toolbox

Introducing The Neon Toolbox, a neon letters font designed to create custom signs in Photoshop! Simply type your text or place your design, and apply the layer style of your choice for an instant neon sign typeface effect. You can then customize your scenes in various styles further by adding a wall backdrop and a choose from a variety of elements such as supports, bars, grids, wall hooks, etc. Simply saying, do everything you need with this neon signs font for a great image!

Neonclipper Modular Font

Sidecar

Double neon-style power in this pack! Sidecar Script and Sans are designed to play together, but they also work great on their own. While Sidecar Sans is quite of a regular neon letter font, Sidecar Script is a completely different story! It is packed with OpenType alternates: keep contextual alternates on for a smooth flow and try swashs or titling alternates for more flashy neon letters. Sidecar is a great display family for any project from logo to packaging or actual neon sign design and from print to online!

Monoton Free Font

Colorful Neon 3D Lettering

If you are looking for some realistic neon letters & graphic elements, you are at the right place. Here you will get a great set of 3D-style lettering, neon lights fonts & bonus graphic elements great to create your own neon letters scenes in different styles. These graphics are in hi-res transparent PNG format, so the neon lettering font is great for your new web design or any print design projects.

Marquee Moon Font

The Ultimate Neon Kit

Whether you’ve never used Photoshop before and want to create a Facebook event banner that stands out for your next party. Or maybe you’re one of the pro graphic designers who needs a top-notch sale flyer for a last-minute client. The Ultimate Neon light stylish lettering kit is the solution for you. There is no need to shop around for multiple neon fonts and neon-style resources and then spend a lot of time figuring out how to make them look good together. This neon lights font is a rounded and monoline font that has everything you’ll need to create personalized scenes.

Neon Future Font

Frequently Asked Questions

What font is used for neon signs?

There are tons of fonts that can be used for neon signs, so you can choose one that suits your purpose, concept and style easily. Here are some versatile types, that can be used in almost any project and showcase your brand’s name in a gorgeous way: The Ultimate Neon Kit, Monoton Free Font, Neon Toolbox and Luminous Neon Text Effect.

Is there a neon light font?

There are many premium and free neon light fonts you can use for your design projects. While choosing from this wide range, consider the style you want the artwork to be kept in, as your neon outline font should suit it. Here are the striking examples of neon fonts that are versatile enough to pull off any concept: Robinson Outline, Neon God, Newon Modern Neon Light and Neoncity Signature Neon Font.

How do you make letters look like neon lights?

There are two ways of making your letters look like neon lights. The first one is a pretty long process in Photoshop, where you create your own neon tube font or text effect and adjust it. The second one is much easier and less time-consuming — just pick a neon font! I can recommend you some in case you don’t have much time till the deadline: Neon Bines, Stacker Neon Sci-Fi Futuristic, Lasenter and Hastron Neon Monoline Script.

Does Photoshop have a neon font?

There are no pre-installed neon fonts in Adobe Photoshop, but you can make your own one or find it! If you are starting your neon typography collection, check out the basic options, which are also the most versatile ones. Here are some examples of such types: Mexcellent Font Family, Neon Type, Neon Ballroom and Sidecar. I would recommend you download the fonts that come in families, as this way you will get not just one font that looks like neon sign but a whole pack of them!

The post 65+ Best Neon Fonts For 2024 ⇮ Free & Paid appeared first on The Designest.

Best Monitors For Graphic Design in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 10:33:00 +0000

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Choosing the best monitor for graphic design that will help you to make the most out of your work is a serious business. That’s why so many graphic designers spend so much time researching graphic design monitors in every detail. Surely, picking out such an important instrument is not the case where you can go trial and error method.

Firstly, because it would be too expensive in both cases. If the new monitor does not meet your expectations, and you need to replace it. And if your monitor got too many excessive features that you do not use. Second, the quality of your devices impacts your performance and the outcomes of your work greatly. To provide your clients with the best possible results, you should make sure that the technology you are using is up-to-date and meets industry standards.

As long as we are graphic designers themselves, we’ve done all the donkey work for you. Years of design experience exposed us to so many different graphic design monitors, so we get great expertise in that matter. In this article, we’ve made a selection of the best monitors for graphic design and explained what makes them stand out. Everybody will find a suitable option, whether you are a design professional or a novice designer looking for a budget alternative.

How to Choose the Best Monitor for Graphic Design?

Before choosing the best monitor for graphic design, you need to reflect upon your workflow. Which tasks do you perform the most often? Because a modern graphic designer is a versatile creative specialist, who can edit RAW photos in Photoshop, then make a brochure for CMYK print in InDesign, following preparing vector icons in Illustrator and animating them in After Effects. Different tasks can demand different screen specializations, which regular not graphic design monitors may not be able to provide. The key to success is choosing just the right monitor that will suit your needs without being overkill so you don’t waste a budget on features you don’t need.
There are three prime criteria we look at when deciding on the best graphic design monitor: Resolution, Color gamut, and Screen size.

Resolution

For beginners, Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution is a good start, but when the monitor becomes your working tool, we would recommend you go for 4K UHD (3840 x 2160). It provides a sharper image and better suits bigger screens. This resolution is pretty good for any graphic designers and video editors. If the cost is not a concern for you, and you want to invest in the highest possible resolution monitor, there are 5K (5120 x 2880) and even 8K (7680 × 4320) options in the market.

Color gamut

The industry standard for color gamut is sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3. For professional graphic designers, we’d recommend looking for a monitor with 100% AdobeRGB coverage or even wider DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives-Protocol 3) color space, especially if you’re working with video editing. Novice graphic designers, or those on a tight budget, should aim for as high a percentage of sRGB coverage as they can get in their price segment.

Screen size

For most graphic designers, a screen between 27 and 32 inches is a good choice. But, if you are a multitasker who prefers to have everything in a hand’s reach with multiple windows open at once, we’d recommend you pay attention to 40 inches monitors or even ultra-wide options. But “the bigger — the better” is not the case here. If you’ve got really limited working space and sitting near the screen, a large monitor can be uncomfortable for your eyes. In case you are on a tight budget, try to get at least 24 inches to comfortably work on your projects without too much scrolling around.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is a big deal when you spend a full working day in front of your computer. It’s good to have the ability to adjust the height and the angle of your monitor to the perfect position. As long as to be able to connect your graphic design monitor to every device you may need in your work, or even daisy chain it if needed.

There are also some features that, in our opinion, are nice to keep in mind, while formulating your expectations from the best monitor for graphic design. But you can disregard them, as too techie, to consider.

Display type

There are three main display types nowadays, LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light-emitting diode), and OLED(organic light-emitting diode). Cutting to the chase, LED and LCD screens use a backlight to illuminate their pixels, while OLED monitor pixels emit their own light. In most of cases, you’ll choose LCD because it’s a cheaper option, and the image quality is still pretty good. It gives a slightly less bright and vibrant picture but provides a longer graphic design monitor lifespan without color degrading, and it is the most common type all in all.

Panels

Keeping it short, there are three main types as well, TN (Twisted Nematic), VA (Vertical Alignment), and IPS (In Plane Switching). IPS panels are by far the most common choice because of their crisp, bright picture, great color accuracy, and perfect viewing angles. TN Panel can be considered for gaming purposes because of the high refresh rates and response times at a budget price. And VA Panel is the most common choice for TV due to good color accuracy but slow response time, which can result in ghosting.

Color accuracy

If you want to dig deeper into the details of the color representation on the screen, you can scrutinize the Delta E (dE) of the chosen monitor. This index shows the color accuracy of the screen. The lower monitor’s dE number, the more accurate it is. For most of the graphic designer casual works, a dE of less than three works pretty well. But if you always strive for perfection, the best monitor for graphic design will have dE less than 1, at this point, you won’t see any color difference between your screen and reality, which means absolute color accuracy.

Overview of the Best Monitors for Graphic Design

Apple Pro Display XDR

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 6k (6016 x 3384)
Color gamut: DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x Thunderbolt 3, 3x USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Retina 6K display
10-bit color depth
Environmentally conscious manufacturing and packaging

Reasons to Avoid

Not the most budget monitor
No HDMI
Best suited to Apple environment, though you may connect it to PC via Thunderbolt 3 port

It is not ‘yet another fancy High Dynamic Range (HDR) monitor.’ Its color accuracy, brightness, and contrast range are far beyond HDR support, it’s Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR). Show your truest colors with 10-bit color depth and DCI-P3 color range. This graphic design monitor can produce more than a billion colors with exceptional color accuracy and great picture quality. This display can come with standard glass or the innovative matte option with nano-texture glass, which reduces glares without muting or altering colors for an additional $1k.

When multiple people review and collaborate on a project on a single screen, it’s critical that everyone sees the same thing, that’s why this monitor for graphic design provides a super wide viewing angle with high-fidelity color and contrast. As for connectivity, you’ll get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C (USB 2) ports for charging or syncing. Pro Display XDR is compatible with Mac models running macOS Catalina 10.15.2 or later, although you may connect it to your Windows PC if it has a Thunderbolt 3 output port.

Dell UltraSharp U2720Q

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 95% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C upstream, 2x USB 3.0 downstream, 1x USB 3.0 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2, 1x USB-C downstream, 1x Audio line-out

Reasons to Buy

Great connectivity options
4K Ultra HD crisp sharp picture
Versatile adjusting options
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Low energy efficiency
Unhandy display buttons
Inconvenient switching between devices

This 4K Ultra HD monitor for graphic design gives you four times more details than Full HD. The screen brings a true-to-life image with an outstanding 10-bit color depth, excellent peak brightness, and a high contrast ratio. Even in dark shadows or brightly lit areas, you’ll get an exceptional visual. Moreover, this display promises accurate colors just right out of the box, as long as it is being calibrated at 99% sRGB to an accuracy of dE less than 2, which is almost indistinctive by the bare eye. That sounds impressive. And if you’re fond of using multiple screens, you’ll appreciate the InfinityEdge borderless design, which provides you with an uninterrupted view.

There is thoughtful ergonomics when it comes to adjusting options. With the ability to tilt, swivel, pivot, and adjust the height of your monitor to fit your needs, you can stay comfortable during your work all day. And for those always striving for more desk space, the base of the monitor is really compact, or you can mount it to the wall and save even more space. But it seems that’s all for good ergonomics because many users complain about the display buttons which are ridiculously small and require way too much force to press, which makes it difficult to use this monitor with multiple input devices.

BenQ PD3200U

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 4x USB 3.0, 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2

Reasons to Buy

Darkroom/CAD/CAM/Animation modes for creative professionals
Anti-glare display screen coating
External On Screen Displays (OSD) controllers with 3 customizable preset keys

Reasons to Avoid

Not the best contrast ratio (only 1300:1)
Average color accuracy dE ≤ 3, so color differences are perceptible at a glance

Experience color as nature intended with BenQ exclusive AQCOLOR technology and 4K Ultra HD resolution. Each BenQ PD3220U is Calman Verified, Pantone Validated, and arrives calibrated with its unique calibration report, so you can have confidence in your color. This model covers 100% sRGB with a decent dE ≤ 3 value. The Darkroom mode adjusts the brightness and contrast of images giving clarity and sharpness to details, creating the optimal setting for work in darker post-processing environments. The revolutionary CAD/CAM Mode offers superior contrast on 3D color lines. You can clearly distinguish details in complicated object wireframes, alter monitor color and never miss a line again. The animation mode enhances details in dark shadows so you can fine-tune creations effortlessly while areas that do not require this function remain unaltered. Moreover, you can easily compare photos and videos in specialized modes next to each other on one screen.

Ergonomic features allow you to customize your viewing experience with a tilt, twist, or turn. Adjust the screen height or rotate to portrait mode for added comfort and workflow efficiency. Smart screen orientation sensor auto-rotates source content to display images in full context. And eye care technology prevents eye strain, fatigue, and irritation with Low Blue Light technology, Brightness Intelligence, and ZeroFlicker filters out harmful blue light. And automatically adjusts screen brightness based on your surroundings. This monitor is a great choice if you need a mid-range everyday monitor for graphic design with a 4k resolution.

ASUS ProArt PA278QV

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: WQHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: Mini DisplayPort, DisplayPort, HDMI, dual-link DVI-D, audio in and earphone jack, 4x USB 3.0 ports

Reasons to Buy

Extensive connectivity
Good color accuracy for design professionals (dE < 2)
Built-in speakers

Reasons to Avoid

Not the best resolution possible, only WQHD
Complicated system of switching between input sources
Average contrast ratio (1000:1)

This 27-inch Wide Quad HD IPS monitor with a frameless design is a good choice for graphic designers and photo editors who want total control over the output results. You get factory-calibrated, and Calman Verified ready-to-use working tool for graphic design just right out of the box. And if you need special color adjustments, ASUS-exclusive ProArt Preset, and ProArt Palette provide quick color modes and numerous adjustable color parameters. Whether you’re color grading, editing videos, or manipulating photos, you can switch and match your needs easily. The ProArt IPS panel screen delivers an industry-standard 100% sRGB color space for rich, vivid reproduction that ensures every detail of your photos is clear and lifelike. The color accuracy index of dE achieves < 2, so your images are reproduced on screen as if in reality — allowing you to see exactly how your work is going to look when it’s finished.

As for ergonomic features, this monitor got a nice sturdy stand with tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for a comfortable viewing experience. It’s VESA wall-mountable to save some desk space. And got plenty of connectivity options for the best possible experience, but some users note that this monitor is not the best fit for the complicated digital system, so far the switching system is a bit half-baked and complicated.

SAMSUNG Odyssey G9

Specifications

Screen size: 48.7 inches
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: Dual Quad HD (5120 x 1440)
Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3, 85% Adobe RGB
Display type: QLED
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 3x USB 3.0

Reasons to Buy

Strong color performance
Cutting-edge QLED technology
Samsung’s largest 1000R monitor

Reasons to Avoid

Huge, massive display
The stand could be better
No USB-C port

This monitor is the best graphic design monitor for those who prefer to multitask and completely get their head into the current creative project. The ultrawide curved monitor panel’s 32:9 aspect ratio lets you see everything you might need for your work on one monitor as if you are working on two QHD monitors standing side by side. Open various windows at once and jump between tasks seamlessly. The curved screen matches the human eye for maximum immersion and minimal eye strain. Compared to other curved monitors, Samsung QLED creates more vivid colors with 125% more color space than sRGB, which ensures pixel-perfect picture quality with every frame, which is essential in graphic design. See your works as they were meant to be seen in real life. In addition, it is actually a nice gaming monitor with a good refresh rate and response time, so with this device, you can work hard and play hard.

How often do you wish your professional monitor got some more screen real estate while working on your projects? Possibly many. It’s a very tempting idea to fit everything on one screen of a large monitor. But to be honest, big and curved monitors aren’t for everybody. Such ultrawide monitors are very demanding of desk space and thoughtful ergonomics of your workstation. It’s perfect when you’re in front of the center of the curved screen, but if you’re working lounging in front of your computer, probably it’s better to look for something else. You surely should give it a try to decide on that matter, but this configuration will certainly bring some adjustments into your workflow, just so you know.

Dell UltraSharp U4919DW

Specifications

Screen size: 49 inches
Aspect ratio: 32:9
Resolution: Dual Quad HD (5160 x 1440)
Color gamut: 99% sRGB3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Type-C, 2x USB upstream ports, 3x USB downstream ports, 2x USB downstream ports (x1 with power charging)

Reasons to Buy

Great connectivity, there’s enough ports available
Perfect for multitasking
Crisp and balanced colors out of the box
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

One of the expensive monitors
Big and heavy standard stand, which takes too much space

A revolutionary 49-inch dual QHD curved monitor with ultra-wide views, multitasking features, fine details, and seamless connectivity for an immersive work experience. Double the display space using the Picture-by-Picture (PBP) function, so you can view content from two different computer sources side-by-side for enhanced multitasking. For the hardcore multitaskers, there’s an Easy Arrange feature, which can help you quickly tile and view applications side by side, so they’re always right where you need them. Although, like with many other curved screens, the real desk space is being downsized while you extend virtual working space. A standard stand that takes too much of it. Fortunately, this graphic monitor is well suited to a VESA-compatible mount, stand, or arm.

For a start, you’ll get highly accurate colors right out of the box. This display is calibrated with 99% sRGB coverage and a dE value of less than two. This IPS display got pretty nice specs, such as a 1000:1 static contrast ratio, 300 cd/m² brightness rating, and 10-bit color depth support, which is good for curved monitors. And the 32:9 aspect ratio enables a panoramic experience, while 3800R curvature delivers a consistent focal length across the screen to help improve eye comfort. This is the best monitor for any graphic designer who often works with editing videos, as long as the ultrawide screen provides enough space for almost any length of the timeline.

LG 27UL850

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 99% sRGB
Display type: OLED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Plenty of ports for easy connectivity
Nice price for 4K resolution monitor
Good picture quality

Reasons to Avoid

No DCI-P3 color
May be not good enough for design professionals

It’s one of the best budget monitors for graphic design. LG 27UL850 IPS display provides a 4K Ultra High Definition High Dynamic Range image and delivers a peak luminance of 400 nits for highlights, which is quite good display quality for a graphic monitor. And 99% coverage of the sRGB spectrum is a great feature for photo editing, digital design, or web design. If you are looking for high color fidelity while staying on budget, this is the best monitor.

The ArcLine stand for this monitor got not only a sleek design but also solid stability and a wide range of ergonomic adjustments like height, pivot, and tilt, which will help your neck and eyes during long periods of work. Additionally, you can clear away some desk space by reducing cord clutter with a USB Type-C connection. It not only saves space but also increases the efficiency of your workflow, allowing 4K video display, data transfer, and laptop/mobile device charging, all at the same time over a single cable. In addition, USB-C is perfectly good with any Mac or PC, so you won’t have any problem with compatibility. Just plug and work.

EIZO ColorEdge CG2730-BK

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
Color gamut: 99% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Built-in calibration sensor and software
Anti-glare coat + anti-glare hood
Smooth, solid, and stable color representation across the screen

Reasons to Avoid

Color accuracy index could be better, only dE≤3
Not the highest brightness rating

Unlock limitless creativity with this 27-inch screen and perfect color reproduction. It’s all about control, this model is equipped with a built-in auto-calibration sensor for easy monitor operation, so there is no need to use third-party calibration devices. Moreover, the monitor supports ColorNavigator NX Quality Control Software, allowing you to manage calibration features, built-in correlation sensor, and color mode settings, which are stored directly on the monitor, so there is no need to reconfigure when connecting to different computers. An average monitor needs more than 30 minutes to stabilize its brightness, color saturation, and color tone, while The ColorEdge CG2730 takes less than 3 minutes to get you a perfectly accurate image as soon as you turn on the monitor.

The wide 178° viewing angle provided by the IPS display allows two or more people to view the screen from different angles at the same time, with minimal changes in color and contrast. The CG monitor series maintains a high level of contrast and maintains color depth even when the screen is viewed from an angle or in dim lit. The screen got antiglare protection backed with an additional monitor hood that has an innovative design, attaches to the monitor with magnets, and protects the screen from glare even more. This monitor is a good choice for any graphic designer to express themselves in professional photography, printing, and post-production.

ViewSonic VP3268a-4K

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: USB Type C, HDMI 2.0, RJ45, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Easily supports laptops, PCs, and Apple/Mac OS
Amazingly accurate image reproduction
Versatile color adjustments

Reasons to Avoid

A bit outdated design
Large monitor stand

Perfect for designers, photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals, the ViewSonic VP3268a-4K Ultra HD monitor, as long as the main feature of this monitor is ultimate color precision with a color accuracy index of dE<2, and a smooth palette of 14-bit LUT & 3D LUT color. An integrated color uniformity function ensures consistent color and luminance across the screen. It means that you get screen-wide true color from edge to edge. Add to that 6-Axis Color Enhancement that lets you adjust six primary colors: red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and magenta, and get a completely customizable color profile that will contribute to your work a lot. The best news is that you’ll get this stunning picture right out of the box, as each monitor is previously calibrated for your convenience.

A premium IPS panel delivers accurate colors and vivid images, while a thin-bezel design provides a nearly seamless viewing experience in multi-monitor setups. Moreover, this display got really advanced ergonomics for productivity-boosting, with the ability to make height, pivot, tilt and swivel adjustments to the perfect position for your body.

GIGABYTE M27Q

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 2K QHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 92% DCI-P3, 140% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, audio jack

Reasons to Buy

Great color gamut coverage
Nice connectivity options
IPS panel

Reasons to Avoid

Only 2K QHD resolution
Some of the features may be useless for graphic professionals

Although the GIGABYTE M27Q monitor is meant for gaming, its fantastic 8-bit color display and super wide 92% DCI-P3 color space make it a good monitor for graphic design professionals. The 27 inches screen provides a lot of space for your work, and 2K resolution backed with an IPS panel will make the picture clear and finely detailed. It makes M27Q a good monitor for photo editing and graphic design in general.

We know sometimes it can take all day to put your vision onto the canvas. That’s why ergonomics and eye care are so important for a graphic designer. This monitor features an exclusive stand that’s ergonomically designed to offer an extensive range of height and tilt adjustments. And Low Blue Light & Flicker-Free technology prevents eye strain and fatigue during your creative work. So no more headaches, only pure joy of your projects! The streamlined appearance of this graphic monitor represents the simplicity of the GIGABYTE design philosophy.

Philips 288E2E

Specifications

Screen size: 28 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 120% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: DisplayPort, 2x HDMI

Reasons to Buy

Affordable 4K monitor for graphic design
Accurate color reproduction
Nice and sturdy stand

Reasons to Avoid

Slow wake from sleep
Dubious button placement

This Philips display provides UltraClear 4K UHD resolution with Ultra Wide-Color range and 10-bit color depth for a vivid, lifelike picture. The SmartContrast technology automatically adjusts colors and controls backlight intensity to dynamically enhance contrast, granting deep blacks and rich details every time. Therefore you won’t be disappointed with the picture quality whether you are requiring extremely detailed images for CAD solutions, using 3D graphics applications, or working on huge spreadsheets. This IPS display is a good choice for working on color-critical projects with graphics applications. It will make your creations come alive.

As for additional non-graphic features, there is a wide variety of nifty ones. Such as Flicker-free technology and LowBlue Mode, which will help you to stay productive easy on-the-eyes. Or MultiView feature that enables simultaneous dual to connect and view for optimal multi-monitor setup and multitasking productivity. And last but not least, this monitor got a surprisingly sturdy and durable stand with height and tilt adjustments, which looks quite aesthetically pleasing, by the way.

Dell UltraSharp UP3216Q

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 99.5% Adobe RGB, 87% DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: DisplayPort, mini DisplayPort, 6-in-1 media card reader and HDMI 2.0/MHL 2.0

Reasons to Buy

Fine-tuning provided by Custom Color mode
Color depth of 1.07 billion colors
Ultra-wide color range

Reasons to Avoid

Overkill for unprofessional graphic designers
One of the expensive monitors

Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD 4K Monitor is ideal for color-critical projects. Any creative content production professional will be amazed by the ultimate color coverage, precision experience, and consistent colors right out of the box. With the PremierColour feature, it covers 100% REC 709 and 87% DCI-P3 in addition to 99.5% Adobe RGB and 100% sRGB, which makes it a good monitor for photo editing and digital design.

The 32 inches and 4K resolution give you enough room for everything you may need while working on important projects. The tiniest details in videos and images are revealed for uncompromising picture quality, even in dark areas, thanks to the 10-bit color depth and high pixel density. This monitor comes factory-calibrated with a deltaE of less than 2, so the bare human eye won’t see any difference between the reality and the design on your screen. In addition, it is an eco-conscious product made with premium-quality materials and meets all the regulatory and environmental standards. Moreover, it contains 25% of recycled plastic.

Dell Alienware AW3418DW

Specifications

Screen size: 34 inch
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: UWQHD ‎(3440 x 1440)
Color gamut: 99% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 1.4, 4x USB 3.0 (1x 10W PD) downstream, 1x USB3.0 Upstream, 1x Audio-Line out, 1x Headphone out-C

Reasons to Buy

Ultrawide screen with a nice curve
Eye-comfort technologies
Striking design

Reasons to Avoid

Only 99% sRGB coverage
Rather a gaming monitor than a professional graphic design device
Average peak brightness and contrast ratio

The Dell AW3418DW is based on an in-plane switching panel with 300-nit peak brightness, a 1,000:1 static contrast ratio, and a 99% sRGB color space, which make it a good graphic design monitor. This 1900R curved monitor and 21:9 aspect ratio provide infinitely immersive effects, so you can comfortably dive into your creative projects. The curved monitor for graphic design maximizes your field of vision while reducing eye movement, so you can stay comfortably focused way longer. There is also a flicker-free screen with a ComfortView feature which reduces low blue light emissions, therefore, itchiness and discomfort in your eyes when working long hours. Speaking of comfort, an adjustable stand allows you to tilt, swivel and change the height of the monitor for personal viewing convenience.

Also, this ultrawide monitor for graphic design got a really iconic design, a bit too much for a professional monitor, but very fun and stylish, nevertheless. 4 lighting zones support 19 vibrant colors and can be set separately. And a downlight sensor illuminates the quick access front USB and headphone ports in a dim light environment, not many ultra-wide monitors can grant that. This gaming monitor got an ultramodern spaceship-like design, making it totally worth its name.

BenQ EX3203R

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.1, USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Detailed and vivid image
Ultra-slim bezels
Good viewing angles

Reasons to Avoid

DisplayHDR 400 is a starting point for a professional graphic designer
VA panels are not the first choice for graphic design

BenQ EX3203R delivers flawless image performance, featuring a 32-inch 1800R curved screen along with Vesa Certified HDR technology which offers a greater brightness and contrast ratio compared to standard computer monitors. Regarding brightness, BenQ environment-adaptive Brightness Intelligence Plus feature carefully moderate bright areas while keeping dark details crisp and clear even in dark environments, which made it stand out among other curved screens. This tech also refines images to minimize eye strain and fatigue during extended work.

Although the VA panel provides deep native contrast, it’s reported to have a slow response time and black-to-gray pixel transition that can result in ghosting and black smearing. Therefore this panel may be not the first choice for professional motion design work. USB-C connectivity enables super-speed USB data transfer and 2K video delivery without fuss with different cables, transmitters, and ports. Just plug in one cable and enjoy the work. In case you need more screen space, the bezels are ultra-slim, so you can connect multiple EX3203R to set up a perfectly seamless picture.

Acer Predator X34

Specifications

Screen size: 34 inches
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: UWQHD (3440 x 1440)
Color gamut: 98% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1 x Display Port 1.2, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 4 x USB 3.0 Ports

Reasons to Buy

Built-in 7-watt speakers
Vision care technologies
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Lots of gaming features irrelevant to graphic designers

The Predator X34 is designed for ultimate performance. The cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio and 34-inch 1900R curved monitor will transform the viewing experience by drawing yourself into the thick. The screen brings 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3 color spaces and delivers a high color accuracy of dE of less than 2. Actually, that’s a gaming monitor, but these specs are promising accurate color matching across applications and print output and are well-suited for a professional graphic designer. Among other curved monitors, it also has extended connectivity and friendly ergonomics while upholding a sleek futuristic design.

Acer vision care provides top-notch tech solutions, so you can protect your eyes from the fatigue of long working. Flicker-less technology provides stable power to the screen and eliminates any noticeable flicker. Blue Light Shield filters blue lights that reduce eyestrain. Comfy view lower the amount of reflected light for comfortable viewing in all settings. Low Dimming technology allows up to 15% darker brightness levels to best fit your ambient light environment. It also got game mode, so headaches, eye strain, and fatigue become a thing of the past with that thoughtful protection.

Samsung U28E590D

Specifications

Screen size: 28 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 87% sRGB
Display type: LED
Panel type: TN
Connectivity: 2 x HDMI v2.0, DisplayPort

Reasons to Buy

Picture by Picture and Picture in Picture technologies
Good specs for its price

Reasons to Avoid

Only 87% of sRGB coverage
Limited ergonomics of the stand, no swivel or height adjusting

Samsung UE590D is a stunningly realistic 4K graphic design monitor that provides a detailed and natural-looking picture. Discover the deep and rich lifelike image with 1.07 billion colors displayed, minimum brightness of 310 cd per m2, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It is also easy on the eyes with Flicker Free and Eye Saver Mode, to make your viewing experience as comfortable and immersive as possible. Work and play come hand in hand with Picture by Picture and Picture in Picture technologies. This display allows you to watch youtube videos in a separate window while simultaneously working on a design. Or you can use it for multitasking on a complex project. Your choise, no judjing.

This monitor got enhanced seamless connectivity with PC and AV equipment with Display Port 1.2 and 2 different HDMI ports. With an upgraded HDMI that supports UHD resolutions at a 60Hz refresh rate, 4K content plays smoothly and without delay. As for appearance, it’s carefully designed to keep the focus on your viewing pleasure. Everything is on point with the matte black body, thin bezels, and T-shaped stand with a metallic touch. This monitor is highly recommended if you are on a budget.

Eizo ColorEdge CG319X

Specifications

Screen size: 31.1 inches
Aspect ratio: 1.90∶1
Resolution: DCI 4K (4096 x 2160)
Color gamut: 98% DCI P3, 99% AdobeRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x DisplayPort, 2x HDMI

Reasons to Buy

Wide color coverage
Built-in calibration sensor
Perfect for video postproduction
2 display ports

Reasons to Avoid

One of the expensive monitors
Lots of nerdy pro features

The EIZO CG319X is nothing like the other computer monitors. It is an ultra-professional graphic design monitor that offers razor-sharp picture quality and extremely accurate color representation. The IPS display has a superb contrast ratio of 1500:1 and a brightness of 350 cd/m² for a crisp-clear picture. It delivers wide and versatile gamut coverage: 98% of the DCI P3, 99% of the Adobe RGB color space, almost the entire CMYK, and supports the Rec. 2020 standards.

It also features an integrated monitor calibrator, calibration sensor, and HDR presets for HLG and PQ gamma, making it the perfect choice for professional video editors, image editing, working visual effects, and other graphic design applications. By the way, talking about the unique calibration sensor technology, just imagine it enables fully automatic color adjustment and recalibration during regular operations. It means you can continue working with non-color-critical applications while the monitor is calibrating. Wow! The future has come.

Philips 346B1C

Specifications

Screen size: 34 inches
Aspect ratio: 21:9
Resolution: UltraWide WQHD (3440 x 1440)
Color gamut: 119 % sRGB, 90 % Adobe RGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, HDCP 1.4 (DP/USB-C), HDCP 2.2 (HDMI), 1x USB-C, 1x USB-B, 4x USB 3.2, headphone out, Ethernet.

Reasons to Buy

A lot of screen space
Wide gamut coverage
Convenient KVM switch
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Poor sound quality of built-in speakers

The Philips display uses advanced technologies that give you extra-vivid images with wide viewing angles. The Ultrawide format enables enhanced productivity with more room for side-by-side comparisons and multitasking. When you are a creative professional, color accuracy and coverage mean a lot to you, so there’s all good: dE is less than 2, and the color coverage is wide as its screen. Some independent reviewers report that Philips 346B1C offers sRGB coverage, with some extension beyond Adobe RGB coverage as mentioned in the specs, and even 88% coverage of DCI-P3 color space, which is pretty impressive, by the way. This monitor is especially suitable for photo editing or casual design work.

There’s also a built-in KVM switch to easily switch between sources, so you can control two separate PCs with one monitor-keyboard-mouse setup. It’s very convenient when you work from your PC and laptop simultaneously. Especially when the monitor features a built-in USB type-C, like this one. The stand got tilt and height adjustments, so everyone will find the perfect position to suit them. As for fascinating non-graphical features, there’s a built-in people sensor that checks when the user is absent and automatically reduces monitor brightness, cutting energy costs by up to 70 percent and prolonging monitor life. Useful for the home office and those with lots of distractions during working hours.

ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q

Specifications

Screen size: 43 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 90% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: VA
Connectivity: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 3x HDMI (v2.0), 2x USB 3.2, 1x USB 3.0

Reasons to Buy

Built-in 10W speakers
Non-glare screen
A lot of screen space

Reasons to Avoid

It’s huge. Yep, it can be a disadvantage
Expensive

This high-quality HDR 600 graphic design monitor with 90% DCI-P3 coverage ensures exceptional contrast and professional color performance. The brightest whites and the darkest blacks bring out details like never before. 43-inch is no joke, so it may need some tweaking and adjusting of your workflow to maximize the outcomes of that big screen. Just so you know. To be honest, it’s a gaming monitor, but the specs speak for themselves; ROG STRIX XG438Q will back you in many professional design tasks, so we recommend you take a closer look. Especially if you are a gamer, it’s like killing two birds with one stone.

A flat screen is an absolute standard, but a pair of built-in 10W stereo speakers and an included remote control made this graphic design monitor stand out from other best monitors. Moreover, this model supports PiP and PbP modes for hardcore multitaskers. Also, it’s pretty, with exclusive ASUS Aura Sync lighting technology that provides ambient lighting. Not practical, but very appealing feature. Excuse us.

Apple iMac

Specifications

Screen size: 24 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4.5K Retina display (4480×2520)
Color gamut: DCI-P3
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt (USB 4)

Reasons to Buy

The whole computer for the price of a pro display
Built-in mic and six speakers
Anti-reflective coating
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

It is still expensive
Not much for the connectivity

Ok, we know that technically it’s not a monitor for graphic design. Actually, it’s a whole computer. You know what? That makes this item on our list twice as good. If you do not want to dig deep into all that tech specs, just stick with the Apple products, it’s designed for professional graphic designers. This iMac got a 24-inch impressive monitor with an extremely high 4.5K Retina resolution, in-plane switching panel, and over a billion colors. With this graphic design monitor, your creations will come alive in all their glory. You’ll surely enjoy the work in stunningly sharp details. And the wide DCI-P3 color space provides a bright, lifelike image, while the True Tone technology automatically adjusts the color temperature of your display to the ambient light of your environment, mon many monitors for graphic design got this.

Speaking of the environment, the iMac is eco-friendly and environmentally conscious. All wood comes from responsibly managed forests, as long as all the rare earth elements are completely recycled. It also provides wide personalization options, you may choose from seven flamboyant colors to suit your interior design, and it also has an ergonomic stand.

LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 5K (5120 x 2880)
Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 3x USB Type-C, 1x Thunderbolt 3

Reasons to Buy

Seamless Mac integration
Built-in camera, mic and speakers
5K resolution
Nice viewing angles

Reasons to Avoid

Expensive

This LG monitor for graphic design is a perfect choice for those who work with photo editing and digital design. With a higher resolution, you’ll experience perceptibly more clarity and accuracy on a large 5K screen, as it contains more pixels than many other monitors for graphic design. The photos or videos during editing will amaze you with their razor-sharpness. Every detail is displayed crisp and clean. LG UltraFine display can express vibrant natural images with a wide color range, thanks to 99% DCI-P3 coverage and exceptional brightness of 00nits. Furthermore, the color performance is optimized for Mac. By the point, this device is perfectly compatible with the macOS environment by using a Thunderbolt 3 port, which can transmit 5k video, audio, and data simultaneously as well as charge a device up to 94W with just a single connection.

Save desk space for the things that are really important to your work with a built-in camera, microphone, and stereo speakers. No more messy wires, plugs, and device switching before online meetings. Just join the call, and that’s it! This model also provides a flexible workstation with an adjustable stand and an easy VESA-compatible wall-mount setup. So you can create a comfortable environment for optimal performance.

Asus Pro Art PA278CV

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560 x 1440)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LCD
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: USB-C, HDMI, Earphone Jack, Display Port, USB hub

Reasons to Buy

Suitable for multiscreen setup
Extensive connectivity
Good color accuracy

Reasons to Avoid

Average brightness and contrast

Asus ProArt PA278CV is a 27-inch monitor designed to satisfy the needs of creative professionals, from photo or video editing to graphic design. The display achieves a dE of less than 2, so your images are accurately reproduced on screen — allowing you to see exactly how your work is going to look when it’s finished. You’ll get true colors right out of the box — the screen is Calman Verified and professionally calibrated at the factory. It also provides multiple modes for quick color-gamut adjustments. Whether you’re color grading, video editing, or manipulating photos, you can match your needs easily.

With flicker-free technology, blue-light filter, and an ergonomically-designed stand this monitor grants comfortable working conditions. ASUS ProArt will help you forget neck or back stiffness, headaches, and eye fatigue when you spend long hours in front of the display. Good news for those who always strive for more screen real estate. You can daisy-chain up to 4 monitors for a multiscreen setup. Taking into account that it is 27 inches monitor, you can cover an impressive area with screens.

Dell UP3218K Ultrasharp

Specifications

Screen size: 32 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 8K (7680 x 4320)
Color gamut: 100% Adobe RGB, 98% DCI-P3
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 2x DisplayPort, 3x USB 3.0 downstream (Type A), 1x USB 3.0 downstream (Type A (power only)), 1x USB 3.0 upstream (Type B), 1x Audio line-out

Reasons to Buy

Big screen with a great 8K resolution
Impressive color representation

Reasons to Avoid

No HDMI and type-C connections
Glossy screen may glare/li>

This unique 8K graphic design monitor is created to impress with its extremely high resolution. You’ll be stunned by the accurate, vibrant colors and smooth gradation that represent images so realistic and precisely detailed that you don’t think about pixels anymore. This is the only monitor with 8K maximum resolution on the list. Dell PremierColor technology offers wide gamut coverage that meets major industry standards — 100% AdobeRGB, 100% sRGB, 100% Rec. 709, 98% DCI-P3 color spaces. It’s perfect for creative professionals who work on color-sensitive projects.

Dell’s Infinity Edge provides an expansive edge-to-edge view without any distraction by the frame. The height-adjustable stand lets you tilt, swivel, and pivot the monitor to customize the position to your personal preference. And it’s compatible with multiple stands and mounts to fit your working station.

BenQ PD2705Q

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: QHD (2560×1440)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, USB Type B, 4x USB 3.1, 1x USB-C

Reasons to Buy

Budget monitor for graphic design
Fully versatile stand
KVM switch

Reasons to Avoid

Some users report backlight bleed
Average color accuracy

BenQ delivers confidence in your color, which demands many creative professionals. This monitor covers 100% sRGB and 100% Rec.709 color spaces with nice dE ≤ 3, moreover, every device got its calibration report, so you can be sure about the quality of the image. There are three professional modes for cases where you need to work with color-sensitive apps. CAD/CAM for superior contrast of lines and shapes in technical illustrations. Animation Mode for the clarity of dark areas without overexposing bright regions. Darkroom Mode for working in dark environments. Besides, the DualView feature allows you to showcase designs in two modes side-by-side.

BenQ PD2705Q got a sleek and stylish look and thoughtful ergonomics. A sturdy stand allows height, tilt, swivel, pivot, and rotation adjustments to find the ideal position for your workplace. It will also look good in a multiscreen setup due to its three-sided borderless display and multi-stream transport technology that allows you to extend screens across multiple displays using the DisplayPort output. Eye care technologies in this device reduce the strain and ensure comfort during long hours of use. So now you can create literally with a fresh eye.

ASUS ProArt PA279CV

Specifications

Screen size: 27 inches
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Display type: LED
Panel type: IPS
Connectivity: 1x USB-C, 1x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x HDMI(v2.0), 4x USB 3.2, Earphone Jack

Reasons to Buy

Impressive color accuracy
Wide connectivity options
IPS panel

Reasons to Avoid

The built-in speakers could be better

ProArt PA279CV is a 27-inch impressive monitor perfect for creative professionals. Whether you work with photo and video editing or graphic design and illustration, you’ll find everything you need. The display delivers 100% sRGB and supports DCI-P3 color space for accurate true-to-life color reproduction. While exclusive ProArt presets and palettes provide numerous adjustable color parameters for those who are up for precise personalization. The screen achieves dE < 2, so what you see is what you get when the editing is finished. It is factory calibrated and Calman Verified, so your work will look exactly as it was intended.

This screen got really extensive connectivity options. It gives you unparalleled compatibility with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort for most multimedia devices. The integrated USB-C port supports data transfers, DisplayPort, and also 65W power delivery. Just one cable provides a convenient solution and keeps your desk area tidy. In addition, it is mac M1 compatible, which is good news for MacBook users. The stand got an ergonomic design with tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for a comfortable viewing experience, and it’s also VESA-mountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What monitor do graphic designers use?

The choice of the best monitor for graphic design depends on the budget you’ve got and the tasks you perform. Because motion designers and digital artists would consider slightly different things in their choices. If you’re up for a sharp image go for Dell UP3218K Ultrasharp or LG 27MD5KL-B Ultrafine. And if you need the best graphic design monitors for video editing, try EIZO ColorEdge CG2730-BK, Eizo ColorEdge CG319X, or ASUS ProArt PA279CV. And if you do not want to delve into all that tech specs, just stick with Apple and its Pro Display XDR.

Do graphic designers need a 4K monitor?

Some might say a 4K resolution is a must, but we wouldn’t be so intransigent. If you are just entering the graphic design field and not ready to spend all of your savings on the best monitor for graphic design only, Full HD (1920×1080) is a good starting point for graphic design beginners. Although, we recommend you keep in mind to update your graphic design monitor as soon, as it will be comfortable for your budget. There are some affordable monitor options like Philips 288E2E or BenQ PD2705Q.

What type of monitor is best for digital art?

As for the tech specs of the best monitor for graphic design and art, it should have a 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160), an in-plane switching screen panel, and cover at least 100% of sRGB color space. Screen size up from 27 inches will be the most comfortable to work with. The perfect monitor for a digital artist also should provide nice ergonomics and technologies to reduce the eye strain and fatigue, as long as you will face it a lot during the work on your creative projects. You may ask yourself if gaming monitors are good for graphic designers. The good news is that in most cases, the best gaming monitor provides enough high resolution and image quality to be a monitor for graphic design.

The post Best Monitors For Graphic Design in 2024 appeared first on The Designest.

Best Cricut Machines in 2024

Evgenia Papicheva — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:10:18 +0000

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Cricut is a very popular brand of craft supplies, that provides awesome machines for cutting, printing, and branding. But only do hobby crafters find those machines useful, businesses also use them to produce their own merchandise or branded items. Of course, there are way more means of utilizing Cricut machines than just for branding purposes, their versatility amazes.

In this article, you’ll find the best Cricut machines reviewed. I’ll explain what Cricut is, how it can help you, and share some useful tips and tricks to make your experience with Cricut even smoother. Read on to find answers to your most frequently asked questions about choosing the best Cricut machine. I’ve searched high and low and compared tech specs, reviews, and expertise of professional crafters to find out every little thing about each cutting device and other Cricut machines. Surely, after reading this comprehensive guide to Cricut machines, you’ll easily decide which one suits your need the best way. Now let’s dig deeper into details.

Best Cricut Machines: Tips, Reviews & Suggestions

What is Cricut machine and what it can do
Cricut Machine Comparison
How To Choose Cricut Machine
Top 9 Cricut Machines Review
Cricut Explore 3
Cricut Explore Air 2
Cricut Maker 3
Cricut Maker
Cricut Joy
Cricut EasyPress
Cricut HatPress
Cricut Mug Press
Cricut AutoPress
Cricut Machine Tips
FAQ

What is Cricut Machine and What It Can Do

The most popular Cricuts are cutting machines that can cut all sorts of designs from various materials. Sometimes they are also called craft plotters or die-cutter machines. It looks a lot like a printer, but instead of printing, it cuts out your design with a small movable blade. You can use the Cricut machine to cut anything you would typically cut with scissors or an X-acto knife. But making way more precise cuts than doing so by hand. Cricut machines can cut designs into a wide variety of materials. First and foremost is paper, then card stock, adhesive vinyl, and iron-on transfers. Some models can also cut delicate materials such as foil and crepe paper. And finally, some of the best Cricut machines can even cut leather and wood. Wow, what a range!

For some people, Cricut became a synonym for cutting machines, but wait, it’s not that simple! Cricut got another extensive lineup of craft machines — heat presses. These can help you apply decals and designs to clothes and mugs with ease and precision. Using a Cricut heat press, you’ll get the perfect application without the risk of burning, melting, or curling as long as the whole decal gets even pressure and heat.

What can you make with a Cricut? Almost anything you want! There are tons of fun and handy ways to use a Cricut machine around the home. It can help you to cut your way to a more organized, festive, and beautiful life. But it’s not only household crafters who will be amazed by the endless possibilities of Cricut machines. Design professionals will also find this tool extremely useful in their day-to-day creative work.

Cricut Machine Comparison

	Cricut Explore 3	Cricut Explore Air 2	Cricut Maker 3	Cricut Maker	Cricut Joy
Types of materials	100+	100+	300+	300+	50+
Types of tools	6	6	13	13	3
Types of tools
Max cut length	12 ft	1.9 ft	12 ft	1.9 ft	4 ft
Max cut length
Max material width	13 in	12 in	13 in	12 in	5.5 in
Smart Materials	yes	no	yes	no	yes
Print then cut	yes	yes	yes	yes	no
Size (W x D x H)	22.2 x 7 x 5.9 in	21.13 x 6.99 x 5.93 in	22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in	22.6 x 7.09 x 6.22 in	8 x 5.4 x 4.3 in
Weight	11 lb	14 lb	15.4 lb	18.02 lb	3.7 lb
Connectivity	Bluetooth + USB	Bluetooth + USB	Bluetooth + USB	Bluetooth + USB	Bluetooth
Buy on	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon

How To Choose Cricut Machine

I’m something of a hobby crafter myself, so I know how overwhelming it can be to decide upon the right machine for your needs. Especially when it’s such a versatile tool like the Cricut machine. This situation produces a very tempting idea to buy the most expensive of Cricut machines and get everything at once. Although it could work out in most cases, we’re trying to find a balance between the features and the price. Once you consider the price differences, capabilities, and projects you plan to use your machine for, you can make a well-informed choice about which of the Cricut machines is the best for you.

As for cutting machines, while choosing the most suitable, consider the following specifications: supported materials, compatible tools, max cut length, smart materials, and print-then-cut feature.

Materials

Every Cricut machine got its own list of compatible materials. The most amazing capability got the Maker series, with 300+ types of materials, including leather, crepe paper, delicate fabric, and even wood. The explorer series can cut 100+ types of materials, that’s also impressive. While the Cricut Joy can cut only 50+ types of materials.

Tools

Yet another meaningful difference between the Cricut machines — supporting tools. The Cricut Maker series can use 13 types of tools. The Cricut Explore series can use 6 types of tools. The Cricut Joy accepts only 2 types of tools, it can either cut or write. Also, please note that the Cricut Joy has a single tool holder, while the Explore and Maker series have two clumps for tools (for cutting and writing). It becomes important when you often use cutting and drawing on the same project.

Max Cut Length

There is a significant difference between generations of Cricut machines in their maximum cutting sizes. The previous generation Cricut Explore Air 2, and the original Cricut Maker can make cuts up to 23.5 in long as they are limited by a 12 x 24 in mat. While the newer Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Maker 3 can cut up to 12 ft on a roll of Smart Material. The Cricut Joy can cut long shapes up to 4 ft or repeated cuts up to 20 ft in one go.

Smart Materials

Meet the Smart Materials, which enable you to cut up to 12 ft long without a cutting mat. The Cricut Explore 3 and Cricut Maker 3 are compatible with 13-inch wide rolls, while the smaller Cricut Joy is compatible with 5.5-inch wide rolls. Unfortunately, machines of the previous generation, like the Cricut Maker and the Cricut Explore Air 2, do not support “matless” cutting. Using Smart Materials makes the whole cutting process much easier and quicker.

Print then Cut

With a Print Then Cut feature, you print out a design on your home printer and use the Cricut cutting machine to cut it out. The Cricut Explore Air 2 and older cutting machines can perform Print Then Cut on white paper. The Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Explore 3 got more powerful sensors, so they can do such projects on colored and even reflective paper. However, try not to use very dark colors or very busy pattern paper since the sensor may not be able to detect the cutting lines. The Cricut Joy machine does not support this feature.

As for Heat Presses, there are slightly different key specs to look for: type of projects and size of a heat panel.

Types of Projects

The most popular and, at the same time, the most versatile model is EasyPress it is suitable for various projects with iron-on (HTV), Infusible Ink, and sublimation products. It will help you press t-shirts, tote bags, custom stickers, and more. In case you want to concentrate on making hats, there’s a Hat Press that is designed especially for that purpose. If you’re up to personalized mugs, a Mug Press will give you peel-proof and dishwasher-proof results using Infusible Ink materials. If you plan on making lots of copies of the same project, AutoPress paired with an extra mat is the best choice.

Size of a Heat Panel

As long as EasyPres is the most popular option, it comes in three different sizes: 9 x 9 in, 12 x 10 in, and mini for all those cute little designs. The Hat Press 5 x 3 in curved heat plate for heat-transfer applications on hats. The Mug Press works with 11 – 16 oz mugs compatible with Cricut Infusible Ink. The AutoPress got a professional grade 15 x 12 in ceramic-coated heat plate for almost any transfer design you may imagine.

Top 9 Cricut Machines Review

Cricut Explore 3

Specifications

Types of materials: 100+ (including cardstock, adhesive vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper, bonded fabric & more)s
Types of tools: 6 (cut, write, score, foil & more)
Max Cut Length: 12 ft
Smart Materials: yes
Size (W x D x H): 22.2 x 7 x 5.9 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth + USB

Reasons to Buy

The most popular Cricut Machine
Affordable cutting machine
Cuts x2 faster than previous Explore Air 2

Reasons to Avoid

Got significantly fewer features than the Maker series
Basic set doesn’t include a cutting mat
Only one color

The Cricut Explore 3 is the most popular cutting machine. It sits just in the middle of the Joy and the Maker 3 on a price/features scale. It has a pretty affordable price tag, combined with extensive capabilities, making this model very cost-effective. Where did we lose the “Air” part of the machine name, upgrading from Explore Air 2 to Explore 3, you may ask? Don’t panic! Now Bluetooth connectivity has become a standard for Cricut cutting machines, so there’s no need to point it out with “Air.”

If you’re planning on buying just the machine without the bundle option, you will get just one sample fine-point blade, other extra items that will give you more versatility are sold separately. For example, there’s no cutting mat in the basic set of Explore 3. You may not need one, as long as this machine supports Smart Materials, but it is an essential item for using your Cricut to the full extent.

In terms of features, the new Cricut Explore 3 can cut Smart Materials producing long continuous cuts up to 12ft, and is a lot faster than its predecessors. The Print Then Cut feature has also been upgraded. The Explore Air 2 would only work on white materials, while the Explore 3 would work on any color.

As for usability, there is a slot to hold your tablet or mobile phone at the top of the machine. And a very convenient pen and accessory holder that can be easily accessed anytime you need it – which is very thoughtful, by the way.

Is it a good machine? Certainly! The Cricut Explore 3 offers endless possibilities for crafters at all levels. It’s a solid mid-range Cricut cutting machine that can perform many of the same tasks as the more expensive Maker 3, with the only differences being the materials it can cut and the tools it can work with.

Cricut Explore Air 2

Specifications

Types of materials: 100+ (including cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, glitter paper, bonded fabric & more)
Types of tools: 6 (cut, write, score, foil & more)
Max Cut Length: 1.9 ft
Smart Materials: no
Size (W x D x H): 21.13 x 6.99 x 5.93 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth + USB

Reasons to Buy

Lots of color options to suit your interior
Cut 100 types of materials
Got fast mode

Reasons to Avoid

No Smart Materials support
Not much for professionals
Not so fast as the newer generation

The Cricut Explore Air 2 is a beginner-friendly cutter, suitable for those who want a powerful machine supporting lots of tools and materials but does not want to break the bank. Although it’s not the best option for commercial use, this machine is an excellent alternative for anyone wishing to start a new hobby. It’s good for small-scale projects that are handled at home. By the way, speaking of home, this machine comes in lots of different color options to suit the interior of your craft room.

It got a fast mode for cutting paper for some kinds of vinyl, which is a game changer. It saves a lot of time! Beware, after you get used to the fast mode, it can be hard to use the machine at normal speed because it gives the impression that it’s working in slo-mo. Like other Cricut machines, Air 2 works with free Design space software that allows you to create designs of your own or use free designs with Cricut Access.

The Explore Air 2 got a double tool holder, one for the blades and the other for the pens. And it’s very convenient, I must say. The dual clamp system also means that if you’re doing a project that includes drawing and cutting, you can just set it up to run, and it’ll do those two things on its own. Meanwhile, you can do different tasks, and you don’t have to waste your time babysitting the machine.

All in all, the Explore Air 2 is the greatest option if you want a low-maintenance, easy-to-use electric cutter that can help you make greeting cards, decals, vinyl signage, a many more for your design projects.

Cricut Maker 3

Specifications

Types of materials: 300+ (including delicate fabric, paper, matboard, leather, felt, and even balsa wood)
Types of tools: 13 (cut, write, score, foil, engrave, deboss & more)
Max Cut Length: 12 ft
Smart Materials: yes
Size (W x D x H): 22.1 x 7.1 x 6.2 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth + USB

Reasons to Buy

The widest range of supporting materials
Perfect choice for small businesses
Pretty fast and quiet cutting machine

Reasons to Avoid

The most expensive Cricut machine
No cutting mat in basic complication
Basic set includes only fine-point blade

The Cricut Maker 3 combines power, speed, and pro-level performance to keep up with your needs. This machine has ten times more cutting force than other machines. And make cuts two times faster. With Maker 3, you can cut almost anything you think of, including delicate fabric, balsa wood, foil, leather, and so much more. It can even engrave aluminum sheets.

The recommended set of tools to unlock the full potential is a rotary blade for cutting fabrics, a knife blade for thicker materials of up to 2.4mm, wavy blade to add a whimsical wavy edge to any design, scoring stylus to create creases and folds, and a foil transfer tool for foil embellishments. One more undeniable advantage of this machine is the ability to use Smart Materials, which enable you to load materials and go, producing cuts up to 12 feet long that are made without a cutting mat at all. Which includes sticker card stock, iron-on vinyl, infusible inks, and regular vinyl. Maker 3 is compatible with Cricut Roll Holder to support rolls of smart vinyl and other materials up to 75 ft to make your experience even more smooth.

Concerning the machine’s appearance, if you’re looking for a small, portable cutting machine, then maybe the Cricut Maker 3 isn’t for you. Due to the size and weight of this equipment, it requires a special place to be stored and used.

In a nutshell, Cricut Maker 3 is the best Cricut machine that has commercial-grade performance capabilities. It is quick, strong, and versatile in terms of the tools and materials it can support. You can cut designs for almost any project you can imagine. Of course, it’s a little pricey, but if you take crafts seriously or want a machine that can be used for small businesses, then it’s perfect.

Cricut Maker

Specifications

Types of materials: 300+ (including delicate fabric, paper, matboard, leather & more new materials)
Types of tools: 13 (cut, write, score, foil, engrave, deboss & more)
Max Cut Length: 1.9 ft
Smart Materials: no
Size (W x D x H): 22.6 x 7.09 x 6.22 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth + USB

Reasons to Buy

Features Adaptive Tool System
Rotary blade with automatic blade detection
Good choice for professionals

Reasons to Avoid

Doesn’t work with Smart Materials
It’s a huge piece of equipment
Quite pricey for previous generation device

With Cricut Maker, you have the power to create almost any DIY item you can think of. Anyone can use this machine to cut at a professional level. It’s future-proof enough not to be dislodged by the newer generation.

Cutting sewing patterns and marking seam allowance has never been easier before. The rotary blade makes this machine the best choice for those who are into sewing. And you know what? The rotary blade is included in the basic set, as well as FabricGrip, LightGrip Machine Mats 12 in x 12 in, and a fine point pen. So you can start creating immediately as you unbox the machine and connect it to the Cricut Design Space.

But do not rush to label Maker as a machine for paper and fabric projects only, it can actually engrave aluminum sheets. In addition, the Cricut Maker machines have professional cutting technology called the Adaptive Tool System, which allows the Cricut machine to be more precise and use 10 times more cutting force. Usually, cutting machines perform two actions at the same time: move a mat in and out of the machine and move the blade from side to side. But now, with Adaptive Tool System, here comes a third action that allows the blade to lift and turn, controlling the pressure of the cut and the rotation of the blade. It was a revolution in 2017 when the original Cricut Maker was first out!

The only limitation worth mentioning is that the original Maker does not support Cricut Smart Materials. If you want to work with no cutting mat using those awesome rolls of smart vinyl, look to the next generation of the Cricuts. Although, if you are up to huge cut projects, a Design space app will help you divide the design into parts.

The bottom line is that this Cricut cutting machine does almost any task you may demand and does it well. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, nor even in the Cricut lineup of other machines. However, the extra cost is justified for the type of machine and the capabilities that you’re getting. If you aren’t going to cut fabric or tough materials, you might be better off with a cheaper machine like Explore series.

Cricut Joy

Specifications

Types of materials: 50+(paper, cardstock, iron-on, vinyl & more)
Types of tools: 2 (cut & write)
Max Cut Length: 4 ft
Smart Materials: yes
Size (W x D x H): 8 x 5.4 x 4.3 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth only

Reasons to Buy

Perfect for quick and easy projects
The most portable Cricut machine
Compatible with a Card Mat

Reasons to Avoid

Single tool holder
No USB connectivity
Only 2 types of tools

The Cricut Joy is a small, inexpensive, and easy-to-use cutting machine. It’s a good entry-level device, a cutter for those who move a lot or prefer to be prepared for inspiration to strike on a road trip or vacation. Weighing only 3.9 lbs, this Cricut machine packs away easily and sets up instantly. It’s about the size of a small Bluetooth speaker. Thanks to the Design Space app now, you can create your own designs for small projects almost anywhere and instantly cut them out with Joy!

Due to its small size, this device has limited capabilities compared to the bigger Maker and Explore series, but if all you need is to create stickers, greeting cards, and heat press templates, the Joy is the best Cricut machine for you.

But eventually, Cricut Joy can handle larger jobs from time to time. The Joy machine can be used to cut long shapes up to 4 ft or for repeated cuts up to 20 feet long and 4 inches wide without using a cutting mat.

Inside the Cricut Joy is a similar cutter and tool mount as other Cricut machines, but a bit smaller. So you won’t be able to use your existing blades and tools from previous generations if you upgrade to Cricut Joy. Talking about accessories, the Joy series is the only Cricut machine that works with the new Card Mat. Just lift off the protective plastic sheet, slot it in the card, and then fold it over. Hit cut and enjoy the result.

All in all, the Cricut Joy is a small, inexpensive craft machine that can automatically cut or draw on paper, card stock, and vinyl stickers. Contrary to other Cricut machines, Joy saves much of your office space, thanks to the compact design. It is the simplest of the Cricut machines, best suited for hobbyists creating custom designs.

Cricut EasyPress 3

Specifications

Types of materials: T-shirts, bags, totes, sheets, card stock, wood signs, etc.
Size of a heat plate: 9 x 9 in; 12 x 10 in; 1.9 x 3.25 in.
Temperature: up to 400 °F
Size (W x D x H): 7.6 x 16.5 x 15.4 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth

Reasons to Buy

Even heat across the entire plate
User-friendly

Reasons to Avoid

The app could have more functions
Needs to be activated via Cricut Heat app

The EasyPress system lets you create custom T-shirts, bags, totes, sheets, card stock, and even balsa wood signs. Basically, EasyPress can help you with almost any surface you can put a vinyl sticker. This system is similar to your household iron, but the difference is that EasyPress doesn’t use steam, and it also can be programmed by the Cricut Heat app to attach materials using Cricut’s Infusible Ink.

Additionally, the ceramic plate’s ability to distribute heat evenly over the whole surface means that your vinyl will be heated to the proper temperature at every spot, aiding in proper adhesion. Just choose the right size of plate for your projects. It comes in three different sizes 12 x 10 in, 9 x 9 in, and mini 1.9 x 3.25 in for cute little adornment or shaped designs.

EasyPress 3 provides a smooth user experience that reduces the chance of mistakes. The temperature and timer are clearly visible on the top screen and can be tweaked manually if needed. For your protection, there’s a safe base for the heat press when it’s not in use. What’s new and revolutionary in the EasyPress 3 is the Bluetooth connection. Now you can control the temperature and timer straight from the Cricut Heat app. The app even tells you how to use each material you’re trying to press.

Cricut Hat Press

Specifications

Types of project: custom hats
Size of a heat plate: 5 in x 3 in curved plate
Temperature: 3 heat settings up to 400 ºF
Size (W x D x H): 15.5 x 9.3 x 6.6 in
Connectivity: Bluetooth

Reasons to Buy

Lightweight and compact
Safety base, comfortable grip, and auto-off

Reasons to Avoid

Works best on smaller designs
Very concentrated device

If you are using Cricut cutting machines for decals and stencils, you might want a new item, to extend the toolkit. Cricut Hat Press is a nice choice that won’t take up a lot of space for those searching for a more concentrated heat transfer device like the Cricut Mug Press. It also got Bluetooth connectivity to customize heat settings quickly and easily.

Like Cricut’s standard heat press, the Cricut Hat Press is the most suitable for transferring iron-on heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) and infusible ink. The curved ceramic-coated heat plate of 5 x 3 in has three heat settings and provides up to 400 ℉. Learning preferred temperature ranges for different blanks is not fun at all, so Cricut got you covered. The Cricut Heat app gives easy-to-follow instructions on how long you should press what material for the best results.

Safety is a serious matter while working with heat presses, so there are plenty of safety features for your convenience. Such as a safe-base, comfortable grip handle, and auto-off feature. After thirteen minutes of waiting, the Cricut Hat Press cuts off with a warning beep.

Shall you get one? The choice is clear if you enjoy wearing custom hats and own a Cricut cutting machine. Therefore, Cricut’s fantastic Hat Press makes it much simpler to create hats for yourself, your family, friends, or even your business.

Cricut Mug Press

Specifications

Types of project: personalized mugs.
Size of a heat plate: for 11 – 16 oz mugs
Temperature: 392 °F
Size (W x D x H): 8.19 x 13.15 x 8.74 in
Connectivity: USB

Reasons to Buy

Works with standard-size mugs
Dishwasher-proof

Reasons to Avoid

Highly specialized machine
Needs a Cricut cutting machine

The Cricut Mug Press is a highly specialized Cricut machine that enables you to customize kitchenware. If you’re a big fan of personalized mugs and want to design your own pro-quality dish in all colors, prints, and finishes, then Mug Press is totally for you.

What’s best about The Cricut Mug Press is that it does all the work for you. The settings will be adjusted automatically if you place the mug with the attached design you want to press and set the temperature. No more fuss with confusing menus or manual settings, just pure joy of creativity.

Please note that the Mug Press can’t be used by itself. It needs other Cricut machines. To cut the design you want to press, start with the Cricut Design Space software, then cut projects with the Cricut cutting machine with Cricut Infusible ink transfer sheets. To secure that design on a mug, you need heat-resistant tape. And all of the Cricut machines are best suited to work with Cricut accessories, so mug blanks are advised. Although Mug Press uses standard-size mugs, just be sure to follow the sizing and heat-resistant specs before you pull down the lever.

The bottom line: we’d recommend the Cricut Mug Press to anyone who is already into Cricut crafts and creating lots of various mud projects. If you’re new to Cricut machines, it’s better to start from the cutting machine and seek out a bundle deal that includes the Cricut Mug Press.

Cricut AutoPress

Specifications

Types of project: adhering decals to a variety of flat blanks (t-shirts, tote bags, coasters, signs and more)
Size of a heat plate: 15 x 12 in
Temperature: up to 400 °F
Size (W x D x H): 16.63 x 26.07 x 6.62
Connectivity: USB

Reasons to Buy

Four-point hinge
Auto-adjusting pressure

Reasons to Avoid

It’s a hefty piece of an equipment
Expensive

Cricut AutoPress is a commercial-grade version of a standard heat press. It is used for adhering iron on vinyl, Cricut Infusible Ink, and sublimation prints to flat blanks, like t-shirts, tote bags, coasters, and more. And it does it very well!

When using a heat press, there are 3 things that need to be set right to achieve the best result: time, temperature, and pressure. And the pressure is the most tricky one. Cricut offers an elegant answer to this problem! AutoPress automatically adjusts the pressure on materials up to 2 inches thick. Just close the lid and hear it do the job. Now it’s that simple!

More about simplifying our lives – now you can set 4 presets for the projects you make often or in bulk. Such a time saver! Speaking of the time-savers, Cricut AutoPress’s four-point hinge is a blast. It gives you the convenience and speed of a clamshell opening mechanism while allowing you to press thicker, denser materials like with a swing-away tool.

Batching projects is made so easy with AutoPress. Prepare the next project to put on the heat press while the first one is pressing. You can complete tasks even quicker if you have extra mats for the base. Although this heat press may appear more suited to pro crafters who produce lots of copies of the same project or those who run small businesses, it is elementary to use; even a beginner could do it.

Cricut Machine Tips

Once you get a Cricut machine, you may need additional accessories and tools to get more creative freedom in your projects. The basic set of tools depends on your choice of machine and bundle option. Usually, you get a blade, a mat, a pen, and material samples for your first project. Here are some extra Cricut products we advise you to buy.

Basic Tool Set to make the most of your cutting experience

Cricut Roll Holder for working with rolls of Smart Materials

Weeding Tool Set for peeling intricate designs

Machine Mat Variety Pack cutting mats set that will cover all your cutting needs

Heat Resistant Tape to keep your designs perfectly in place

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Cricut is the best to buy?

It’s a tough question to decide upon a new machine. The best Cricut machine for you depends on your specific needs and demands. Nowadays, the most popular option is Cricut Explore 3, a modern middle-budget cutting machine that provides enough versatility in jobs you may perform. If you are up to cutting wood or leather, you’d better look for a more powerful Maker series. Although, if the only projects you plan are cards and stickers, Cricut Joy may be the right choice.

Which Cricut machine is the best for small business?

The Cricut Maker 3 is a jack of all trades. This Cricut machine got commercial-grade performance and can do it all. In addition, it gives you the freedom to experiment with types of tools and materials. Many small businesses rely on this cutting machine. But if you’re on a tight budget and have narrowly limited demands, such as making signs or iron-on transfers for shirts, you may consider buying the machine from Explore series.

Which Cricut should a beginner buy?

The best machine for a beginner is the Cricut Explore 3. It’s Cricut’s most popular cutting machine. It cuts over 100 materials: cardstock, vinyl, iron-on, and specialty materials like glitter paper, cork, and bonded fabric that provide enough place for experimenting. Plus, it’s compatible with Smart Materials and faster than older generation machines. In case you’re a beginner on a budget, look for the Cricut Joy cutting machine, which is supposed for a way more narrow scope of work but still makes a good entry-level Cricut machine for custom designs.

Is there one Cricut machine that does everything?

Surely there is! If you need one cutting machine that can do it all, the Cricut Maker 3 is the best Cricut machine for you. With the new Maker 3 you can make almost everything you may think of. It supports 300+ types of materials, including delicate fabric, paper, matboard, and thicker materials like leather, felt, wood, and more. It got an adaptive tool system compatible with 13 tools for cutting, writing, scoring, foiling, engraving, debossing and more. Moreover, Cricut Maker 3 works with Cricut Smart Materials, making super-long cuts up to 12 ft. It is certainly the best Cricut machine for those who want it all.

Is Cricut Air or Cricut Maker better?

Choosing the best Cricut machine is a serious business and which is better depends on the types of projects you plan. The Maker series cuts 300+ materials, including such heavy-duty as leather and wood. The Cricut Explore Air 2 cuts only 100+ types of materials and is more oriented on iron-on vinyl and paper. The Maker series supports 12+ tools for cutting, writing, scoring, foiling, engraving, and debossing, while The Explore Air 2 series has only 6 of them. If you’re up to making bespoke gifts with delicate or tough materials like bonded silk or balsa wood, then the best Cricut machine for you is Maker 3. Still, if you want to cut popular materials like premium vinyl or adhesive foils, then Air or other models will be enough.

Is Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore better?

Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer. When choosing the best Cricut machine, you need to consider the following features: types of tools and materials supported, cut force, max cut length, whether it works with Smart Materials, and so on. So the answer is it depends. In a nutshell, the Maker series got more extensive capabilities and a price tag, while the Explore series is a bit cheaper but has fewer compatible tools and materials. Read our full review to decide what the best Cricut machine is for you.

What Are the Differences Between the Cricuts?

In this article, we’ve compared the best Cricut machines. In a nutshell, the Cricut Explore 3 is the most popular Cricut machine and the top choice for those who enter the hobby or anyone on a budget. It’s fast and precise, works with design space, and supports a lot of materials, including Smart Materials. The Cricut Maker 3 can do it all and so much more. If you want the versatility and cutting force to cut thicker materials like wood and leather, then the Maker series is the best Cricut machine for you. The Cricut Joy is the most compact and portable machine that works with Design Space. It’s the best Cricut machine for you if the only projects you’re up to are greeting cards and cutting vinyl.

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35+ Best Medieval Fonts

Evgenia Papicheva — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 09:07:31 +0000

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What image first came to mind when you hear the word ‘medieval’? Knights and their tournaments, or kings and queens, or maybe beautiful handwritten books, every letter in which was a piece of art. There’s no need to decide because this list of the best medieval fonts can represent each of these associations.

Essential Medieval Fonts

Gold Empire

elements.envato.com

Medieval fonts imitate old elaborate handwriting and largely refer to an aesthetic. It’s the whole genre of fonts, which are also known as blackletter or gothic fonts. Besides, rather than incorporating current design trends, medieval fonts are opulent and have an antique look and feel. Medieval fonts may help you with the following types of projects: role-playing games, renaissance fairs, fantasy novels, and many more. They have great aesthetic appeal and work well with many different designs. Whether you’re looking for a medieval gothic font, medieval calligraphy font, or other medieval-style font designs, we’ve got you covered, let’s look at the best medieval fonts we’ve collected for you to try.

Our Team’s Top Pick

Cattedrale

Meet the Cattedrale, unique gothic blackletter medieval font for your designs. Packed with 4 elaborate styles plus ornaments, it includes uppercase, lowercase, currency symbol, punctuation, and multilingual support. Perfect choice for tattoos clothing, labels and packaging, branding, or any history-related projects.

Kingvoon

Kingvoon is a historical typeface with a modern twist. This medieval sans serif font with its classic modern shape looks extraordinary. This font includes OpenType features and is perfect for branding projects, logos, wedding designs, social media, product packaging, label, watermark, iand any projects that need a decorative graphics. By the way, this font is free for personal projects.

Aviorte Blackletter

Turn any text into the historical heritage of the 17th century with a suitable blackletter font. Aviorte is an elegant, clean, and artistic medieval gothic font. Packed with diverse uppercase letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and multilanguage support, you can always make your composition look beautiful and decorative. Plus you’ll get swashes and extra decor elements.

Odd Times

Introducing medieval blackletter typeface Odd times. It’s a medieval calligraphy font. The set includes uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation marks. The old times font is mainly intended for logos, headings, branding, apparel design, quotes, invitations, posters, product packaging, etc. You certainly need to try this one!

Mordova

Mordova is a medieval display typeface crafted to impress with elegance and high-quality gothic look. This font will work perfectly for branding projects, logos, packaging designs, social media posts, advertisements, label, photography, watermark, invitation, stationery, and any projects that need handwriting taste.

Goldiwak

Goldiwak is a beautiful medieval font from Drizy studio. Offering all the basic styles you may need for a historical or fantasy-themed project. The character set of this font is all caps and include numeral, punctuation, as well as multilingual alternates. In addition, this font is free for personal projects. What awesome news!

Raven Hell Textura

Raven Hell Regular is a simple gothic sans inspired typeface. In contrast to other medieval fonts, it got a pretty rounded shape, that adds a modern flare. The pack includes 6 styles from thin to black and dozens of alternates to suit any project possible. Try it for clothing, labels, packaging, branding, or any Gothic-themed projects, and you won’t be disappointed.

Killviners Blackletter Font

Behind this bold medieval font, is hidden a great creative potential. Consisting of all the necessities (numerals, punctuation, multilingual support, uppercase and lowercase, stylistic alternates) the typeface will be the magnet for attention in your future projects! It fits almost any project: packaging, tote bag print, stickers, watermarks, and many more.

Candelabra

Candelabra is a gothic blackletter font full of medieval mysticism and aged wisdom. Historical and modern aesthetics are both easily achieved with this personality-rich medieval style font. An ideal choice for a tattoo, band logos and album art, book covers, packaging design, and more. There are upper and lowercase letters included, along with ligatures, numerals and punctuation. Do your best shot with Candelabra.

Deutsch Gothic

Deutsch Gothic is a clean and sleek medieval font that will help you to transmit the gothic look and feel to the audience. The standard set of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks will make the design process as smooth as it can be. Will be a great choice for logos, stickers, headlines, ads, posters and so much more.

Ghitalk

Ghitalk is a classic letteringmedieval font with visual elegance, smooth curves, and beautiful ligatures clear, making your work look true and attractive. This font is suitable for a wide variety of projects such as logos, invitations, branding, editorials, websites, and much more. It comes in OTF and TTF file formats and pairs beautifully almost with any sans-serif font.

Victorian Monogram Font

Created in the best traditions of classic Victorian monograms, it allows making custom combinations in no time. It is a one-weight font with decorative letters and 360+ combinations. The uppercase letters are tall and narrow, while the lower uppercase letters are wider and short-bodied. This font is perfect for logos, badges, or anything else starving for a classic vibe!

The Centurion

The Centurion is a highly decorative blackletter gothic font, which exudes an artistic style. Perfect to be applied to your medieval-themed projects. Free for personal projects set includes upper and lower case characters, numbers, punctuation as well as multilingual alternate characters. Add this elaborate display font to your creative ideas and see how it makes them stand out.

Black Baron

Black baron font is a sans serif typeface that is inspired by the signage in an old neighborhood of Buenos aires. Isn’t it romantic? Its geometrical style instantly grabs attention and gives string gothic vibe. Incorporate this font in your next branding project, apparel design, book cover, and many more.

Legend

Legend is a font, which adds tons of fantasy flare while being consistent both in Latin and Cyrillic letters despite the fact, that in the Middle Ages, they looked very differently. It is based on the Insular Majuscule, accurate ceremonial script, the best-known example of which is the Book of Kells. This medieval font provides a 100% authentic look and feel.

Gothicha

Gothicha is a medieval display typeface carefully crafted to produce an elegant and high-quality gothic font. It got an extraordinary shape, that makes it suitable for large-scale designs. Gothicha is perfect for branding projects, logos, wedding designs, and any projects that need handwriting taste.

Agise Rujdi

Agise Rujdi is an elegant blackletter typeface. It professionaly combines modern look with the medieval feel. The font features uppercase, lowercase, alternative characters, ligatures . This medieval font is best for graphic design needs, logo design, branding, tattoos, posters, and others. This fun font will make you fall in love with its mysterious vibe.

Bullgine

Bullgine is a medieval gothic font with a strong victorian vibe. Its elaborate elongated letterforms will adorn any historical-related design project. This PUA-encoded font includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, punctuation as well as multilingual features. It’ll be perfect for logos, magazines, album and book covers, posters, as well as branding purposes. Start designing now!

Ghregor Medieval Serif

Ghregor is a medieval serif font, inspired by mid-century, medieval manuscripts. It comes in two styles: Regular and Aged, the aged variant having a weathered and authentic old look. The numbers have alternate characters that create roman numerals, so you can choose which works best for you.

Berenika

Berenika medieval font family is based on medieval inspiration and Celtic-looking fonts. This font comes in 4 weights, so feel free to play with them! It’s equally good for web and print projects, so you can easily make any design and it will look both old and trendy. In addition, these medieval fonts are free for personal and commercial projects.

Ghelisyah

Ghelisyahis a medieval letters font that is inspired by the Blackletter. Its intricate forms give it distinctive fantasy look. This font is perfect for creating various types of designs. The Ghelisyah is suitable for album covers, tattoos, logos, packaging, and so on. In addition the font is PUA encoded and got opentype features, which means you can access all of the glyphs and swashes with ease.

Angel Wish

Angel wish is a beautiful medieval font that is inspired by gothic scripts and aesthetics. It feels both strong and delicate. This font includes uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and punctuation. In addition, it provides multilanguage support, so you will not run out of characters ever. Perfect for creating greeting cards, invitations, labels, posters, branding, and packaging designs.

Cloister Black

Meet the Cloister Black — a historical gothic font with a hand lettering flare. This medieval font will give you an opportunity to feel like a medieval scribe, creating an old book. It instantly evokes lots of historical fantasy associations. Cloister Black will look good on greeting cards, posters, handwritten quotes, headers, book covers, music albums, and more.

Estus Typeface

Estus is a sharp medieval serif font with alternate letters that can be accessed via Caps Lock. It comes in two styles: regular and rough. The last looks a lot like stamped with an old typographic press. It will work especially well as headlines, titles, and other short texts for advertising, posters, or packaging designs.

Enchant

Enchant is a Celtic-inspired typeface with a strong mystical vibe. This calligraphy font is perfectly legible, beautiful, and distinctive. It comes in OTF and TTF file formats. You can use Enchant to create mesmerizing book covers, t-shirts, emblems, posters, and pretty much anything else you can think of. If you want to replicate that Celtic look, then Enchant is for you.

UnifrakturMaguntia

UnifrakturMaguntia is based on Peter Wiegel’s font Berthold Mainzer Fraktur but it got lots of modern upgrades. Make your typography truly eccentric with a wide set of ligatures and alternates, while maintaining ease of pairing with other fonts. Plus, this font is free for personal and commercial projects!

Old London

Say hello to Old London. Classy blackletter font with loads of historic and medieval vibes. Perfectly fit for branding, logo, poster, headlines, and beverage packaging. Plus as many other medieval fonts for book and album cover designs. Dive into the mystery of the dramatic fonts with the Old London font! The authentic feel, that breathes from every single letter of the extended set of glyphs, amazes.

Petrovica

Petrovica is a stylization of the first reformed Cyrillic font. For many centuries, the Cyrillic fonts were frozen in their ancient forms inherited by Russia from the Byzantine church. This way Petrovica font got plenty of medieval vibes. It has extended Latin and Cyrillic letters, numerals, and basic punctuation. The font is not a reliable historical replica, but an artistic stylization.

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon is a blackletter typeface. Its large, decorative initials contrast against the minimalist lowercase, as thrones amongst chairs. It is provided in four beautiful styles: Regular, Bold, Outlined, and Deco. This font has extensive lingual support, covering all Latin-based languages, and contains all cheracters you’ll ever need, including punctuation and numbers.

Bliaunt Script

Bliaunt script is an elegant medieval style hand lettering font, crafted with a real dip pen to achieve a natural flow and top authenticity. It’s heavily inspired by medieval historic letters. The font comes in two weights, regular and light and each has a full set of alternates that help to create realism and dynamics. Special swash characters have been included along with ligatures, to provide you with even more options to make your unique medieval font design.

UnifrakturCook

Set your imagination free with UnifrakturCook — a fancy display font inspired by medieval fonts. It got a pretty angular look, therefore, it’s not the most legible font on small-scale projects, but as a decorative display font, it works awesome! Also, you’ll find the font equipped with lots of alternates and ligatures to get a more authentic design. In addition, this font is free for personal and commercial use thanks to the Open Font license.

BlackFlag

Black Flag got a very complex character. It looks like nice medieval font, but with a bit of gothic rock vibe, and a bit of something urban and rough, graffiti maybe? Decide for yourself when incorporating it into your design projects! It will work perfectly in short texts on a larger scale. This cool font includes the basic Latin alphabet, lower and uppercase letters, numerals, and punctuation.

Krampus Blackletter

Krampus Blackletter is a vintage blackletter medieval font digitized from its 19th-century type specimen. Missing and modern letters have been redrawn in the original style to make a complete alphabet for modern uses. Though designed to work with our holiday clip art collections, this font can be used for any type of projects that need a medieval inspiration. Krampus Blackletter is perfect for mockups, posters, branding, packaging, and social media.

Augusta

Augusta is not just a medieval font it’s a gothic display sans serif type. This gothic font looks a lot like handwritten lettering with a curvy and elaborate shape. It’s an ideal choice for headings, logotypes, packaging, branding, and advertisement. The set is packed with upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and supports multilingual glyphs. Augusta comes in 2 variations: regular and shadow which will pair nicely with almost any secondary serif or sans-serif.

Por Siempre Gótica

Por Siempre Gótica like many other medieval fonts is inspired by gothic scrips. What distinct it is its nice legibility. Also, it comes with multilingual characters in addition to the basic set of glyphs. Its clean but authentic lettering style will help you create stunning medieval style designs such as logotypes, headlines, posters, covers, and many more. It offers beautiful typographic harmony for a diversity of design projects.

Song of Coronos

This blackletter font stands out from other medieval fonts by its sleek and intricate design. Each character got its unique voice, so that can create very versatile designs. This font comes in TTF format and includes upper and lower case characters, punctuation, numerals, as well as multilingual support. That makes the font perfect for creating greeting cards, invitations, labels, posters, branding, and packaging designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the medieval font called?

In the Middle Ages books were written by hand using one of the fonts developed by scribes. Then Johannes Gutenberg invented the type press. The first typeface made by Gutenberg was based on the Gothic script style of the day also known as Blackletter. Nowadays, this typeface family includes a variety of fonts, each with its own traits, but they are all based on the original calligraphic font with tall, thin letters and sharp angles.

What were the three major fonts used during the medieval period?

According to the history of typography studies, even if all the fonts from the medieval period were handwritten, they can be divided into three major script families: Caroline minuscule, Pregothic script, and Littera textualis or Gothic script. Although the medieval scribe knew a number of different scripts each of the font families got its own heyday.

The post 35+ Best Medieval Fonts appeared first on The Designest.

Procreate 5.3: What’s New & How To Update

Evgenia Papicheva — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 11:47:07 +0000

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Since its first release in 2011, the Procreate app has become an industry standard for digital artists, designers, and illustrators all over the world. It’s an incredibly powerful app for fast sketching, digital drawing, and painting. Recently, a major update has been rolled out.

Essential Procreate Brushes

Basic Pencil Procreate Brushes

Stipple Brushes for Procreate

Vintage Map Procreate Brushes

Procreate Stippling Brushes Kit

Flower Touch Procreate Brushes

Procreate Floralia Line Art Brushes

elements.envato.com

This feature-rich drawing app is exclusively designed for iPad and Apple Pencil, while an extensive brush library with the ability to create custom brushes, allows this duo to shine in all its glory. It also has an advanced layering system, blending modes, a suite of innovative artistic tools, and the Valkyrie graphics engine backing it up. Furthermore, it provides a smooth workflow, and a user-friendly interface, that makes it appealing to artists regardless of skill level.

But you know what’s the best about this app? That it continue to evolve all these years. Every update is a gem! That’s why we are so excited about the 5.3 update that came out the other day. We tested it out and are ready to share our opinion. So without further ado, let’s jump into the details of the latest update.

Procreate 5.3 Release Date

Procreate 5.3 was released on December 15, 2022. The update is now available on the Apple App Store for iPad.

Procreate 5.3 New Features

It’s been a while since the last major update when 5.2 came out with all its awesome Stroke Stabilization, 3D Model Painting, and Page Assist. This time Procreate apparently decided to concentrate on a single, but complex topic. And it pays back immensely.

Meet the hover! A tiny microineraction that actually changes the whole user experience. We are so used to hover on our computers, that we almost stopped noticing it. But there has always been a suspicion that something is missing on the tablet UI. This way now you’ve got really full control over the interface. By the way, did you know that advanced microinteractions are a huge design trend right now? This update unlocks a whole new way to interact with Apple Pencil hover on the new iPad Pro with M2 chip. However, users of the earlier versions of iPads will also find this update cool.

Brush Size and Opacity

Many of the new features are built around hover. This one will help you to adjust brush size and opacity without interrupting the process of drawing by excessive taps, selections and menus. Use intuitive gestures instead. Hover over your artwork and pinch zoom to adjust the size of the active brush, and slide up and down to adjust its opacity. These gestures can be activated in the Hover tab of the Gesture Controls. You can even hide the Size & Opacity sliders completely, so nothing will distract your focus.

Brush Cursor

It is quite self-evident that for more control over your canvas, you need to be able to predict brush behavior even before beginning a stroke. However, this feature was added only in 5.3. But, it’s so cool together with other hover features, so the wait was worth it. Now you’ll see a full-color preview of your selected brush when painting, and a preview of what will be removed when erasing. No more countless trial and error cycles to transmit your vision to the blank page. This feature makes the lives of digital artists so much easier. To personalize your Brush Cursor settings globally go to the Preferences menu, and if you want to tweak any particular brush go to Brush Studio.

ColorDrop

In the previous versions of Procreate, you needed to drag and drop the color from your palette every time you need to fill the area. Now ColorDrop becomes fast and fluid with hover as you attach color to your Apple Pencil before dropping it on your canvas… as many times as you like. Wow! The filling process has never been faster before the 5.3 update. It’s very convenient for digital artists to save a lot of time on coloring their artworks. To pick up a color, hover above your active color and double-tap on your Apple Pencil. Tap separate areas of your artwork to continue filling with your chosen color. Moreover, this feature also works without hover on earlier versions of iPads, just select “Continue filling” after performing a ColorDrop or hold the Modify button on the Size and Opacity toolbar.

Animated UI and Gallery Previews

In the previous versions, UI and gallery were static, and it was ok due to the lack of options. But now there’s a hover! Hover is everywhere! That really liven up the whole product. Now you see where you’re about to tap. Furthermore, when you hover over your artworks in Procreate gallery, they become bigger and if there’s an animation or time-lapse inside it will be played on a loop. That makes the gallery feel more alive and fun.

Freehand Selections

Hover features will also help you to become more accurate while building your Freehand Selections. Now it’s even more intuitive and flexible. Tap to create a starting point, then hover to see a preview of where the line will draw if you tap again, so you can see what you’re doing before you lay anything down. Choose the perfect place and ta-duh! Your selection is perfectly precise. At the end of the selection process, the line will even snap to the starting point. The hover preview is a real game changer!

File Compression Improvements

There are also lots of improvements to stability and other tech stuff. For example, there’s a new compression technology that is up to 3.5 times faster to paint and undo painted compared to previous versions. Please note, that files exported from Procreate in versions 5.3 and higher will not be able to be opened by older versions of Procreate and Procreate Pocket. While files created in older versions of Procreate and Procreate Pocket will automatically update.

Third-Party Stylus Deprecation

Sadly, in this update, Procreate removes support for non-Apple styluses (except for Logitech Crayon), due to their inability to provide a quality experience for these devices. Yet, iPad plus Apple Pencil is the most common use case, so there are not many users upset with this news.

How to Update Procreate

In order to update your Procreate app to the 5.3 version, go to your Apps find Procreate then hit the Update button. If there isn’t any button, then you’re most likely enabled automatic updates. And it means that you already have the latest version. Yay!

Please note that files exported from Procreate 5.3 and higher will not be able to be opened by older versions of Procreate and Procreate Pocket, because of a major improvement in compression technology.

And one more thing, hope you’ll never need this piece of advice, but still. It’s always best practice to back up your Procreate files before making any major update, just in case any technical issues occur.

Best Tablet For Procreate

Apple 2021 11-inch iPad Pro 128GB

Apple 10.9″ iPad Air with M1 Chip

Apple iPad Pro 12.9″ 256GB

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Procreate?

Procreate is an app that allows you to create stunning artworks on your iPad. Using this app is like drawing with traditional pen and paper, but with a digital twist. This app has been designed specifically for artists, so it prioritizes their needs and makes the process of creating beautiful art easier and more enjoyable. It has a wide range of features and tools that make it suitable for both beginners and experienced artists.

How much does Procreate cost?

Procreate costs $12.99 as a one-time purchase in App Store. And you know what, it is worth every cent invested! It is user-friendly, has a shallow learning curve, and delivers lots of fun. Procreate is an incredibly powerful drawing app both for beginners and professionals.

Is Procreate for iPad only?

While Procreate app is created especially for iPad, there’s an iPhone version ― Procreate Pocket for those who want to sketch everywhere and anytime. It requires iOS 15.4.1 or later to be successfully installed. Unfortunately, there are no Android or Chrome OS versions of this awesome app. Moreover, since the 5.3 update, there’s been a third-party stylus deprecation, so iOS + Apple Pencil is the only way to enjoy the Procreate app.

What can I make with Procreate?

Oh, lots of fun stuff, aside from professional graphic design work, of course. One of the most common uses of Procreate is all sorts of digital art, but this app is also well suited for sketching, illustrations, 3D painting, and even animation. It’s a complete art studio you can take anywhere, thanks to an extensive toolkit.

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