why photoshop?

Browsing trough stuff it seems to me that most popular file choice for authors is PhotoShop .psd which is good for web graphics or other image manipulation projects..

however I’m a bit concerned that almost every business card or other print template is offered in these formats as well…

I’m not convinced that psd should be first choice for stationery or other similar print related projects..

As a designer I’m always presenting to my clients final artworks in variety of editable or simply usable file formats such as Illustrator (ai. eps), Corel Draw, PDF and of course most common used image formats such JPG , PNG etc. split into categories(folders) for specific use like “for fax” , “for web” or “for print”..

having said that I do understand that there is no point offering PDF or JPG here but I do believe that when it comes to design for print using vector graphics is more appropriate. It should give more flexibility to buyer what he can actually do with it.. there is no boundaries for scaling or even taking elements out for use on other branding bits and bobs in the future.

As I’m new here and never have done template based designs for others to use maybe I’m missing something? don’t you agree that offering a set of a beautiful corporate identity set would be more appropriate in Adobe Illustrator format than PhotoShop? besides you can achieve almost all the same “effects” in illustrator as in photoshop only without loosing quality when scaling..

Hi LeBrlt,

I couldn’t agree with you more, I myself come from a print background and I would never or know anyone that works in print, to do finished art for a brochure or stationery in photoshop, yes, we do elements in photoshop etc. but not the finished art.

On Graphic River, I myself have done finished art in photoshop only because a lot of people request it and it sells better this is unfortunate.

The ideal programs are the ones you specified and also INDESIGN . I would like to see a 24 page brochure in photoshop, scary.

Point being guys… most design templates here are not “finished art” They are assets to be used by designers for their projects.

As far as ideal programs… there is no such thing. Your ideal program may not be another designers ideal program.

Vector graphics are great.. but they are not the end all be all as far as print works goes. Photoshop and Illustrator each have their strengths… and neither program should be considered exclusive to a particular medium.

We all indeed fairly accept that ai, corel draw and indesign are the only best programs for all the print needs. But now lets face the real fact. Most of the end users are uncomfortable with illustrator due to its interface. I think it’s not really easy to work in illustrator for beginners. Most of the buyers who have basic knowledge of photoshop are unable to work in illustrator. Answer is that Photoshop is much more easier to work with and with the vast resources of it on web makes it first choice for users with little or no knowledge in graphics. Also lets just take gradient tool of photoshop and compare it with illustrator’s gradient panel. What do you think would be easier for such buyer?

Though I’m in favor of vector programs more than photoshop, but the fact is that not everyone would be able to use them and most of the buyers wouldn’t want their time to be consumed by learning these programs.

I might be wrong so I’d like to hear opinion of others.

We all indeed fairly accept that ai, corel draw and indesign are the only best programs for all the print needs. But now lets face the real fact. Most of the end users are uncomfortable with illustrator due to its interface. I think it’s not really easy to work in illustrator for beginners. Most of the buyers who have basic knowledge of photoshop are unable to work in illustrator. Answer is that Photoshop is much more easier to work with and with the vast resources of it on web makes it first choice for users with little or no knowledge in graphics. Also lets just take gradient tool of photoshop and compare it with illustrator’s gradient panel. What do you think would be easier for such buyer?

Though I’m in favor of vector programs more than photoshop, but the fact is that not everyone would be able to use them and most of the buyers wouldn’t want their time to be consumed by learning these programs.

I might be wrong so I’d like to hear opinion of others.

I would have to disagree a bit i have come from an online background i did design work only for the web so nothing ever had to be printed so every thing was done in photoshop!

Then a few months i moved and got a new job and i started having to do work for print, i still will use photoshop alot if i know the final size it is need for i will just make it a bit bigger to be on the safe side! but i use photoshop as it is better and you can do more with it.

I would only use illustrator if it had to be scaleable and was made of solid colours, and i woulld not say it is a hard program it to a few day to find most of the options out, it is a very small program compared to photoshop.

I think illustrator and photo shop should have merged years ago into one complete program!

i think the problem it’s not Photoshop or .ai or .png or PDF but which kind of file prefer your client, buyer…ecc

We all indeed fairly accept that ai, corel draw and indesign are the only best programs for all the print needs. But now lets face the real fact. Most of the end users are uncomfortable with illustrator due to its interface. I think it’s not really easy to work in illustrator for beginners. Most of the buyers who have basic knowledge of photoshop are unable to work in illustrator. Answer is that Photoshop is much more easier to work with and with the vast resources of it on web makes it first choice for users with little or no knowledge in graphics. Also lets just take gradient tool of photoshop and compare it with illustrator’s gradient panel. What do you think would be easier for such buyer?

Though I’m in favor of vector programs more than photoshop, but the fact is that not everyone would be able to use them and most of the buyers wouldn’t want their time to be consumed by learning these programs.

I might be wrong so I’d like to hear opinion of others.

I would have to disagree a bit i have come from an online background i did design work only for the web so nothing ever had to be printed so every thing was done in photoshop!

Then a few months i moved and got a new job and i started having to do work for print, i still will use photoshop alot if i know the final size it is need for i will just make it a bit bigger to be on the safe side! but i use photoshop as it is better and you can do more with it.

I would only use illustrator if it had to be scaleable and was made of solid colours, and i woulld not say it is a hard program it to a few day to find most of the options out, it is a very small program compared to photoshop.

I think illustrator and photo shop should have merged years ago into one complete program!

my bad then. Actually where I live, people don’t really know about illustrator. Unfortunately people I’ve worked with online found it hard to cooperate with Ai files. I for myself design my things only in Photoshop cuz that’s what most of the people need. And unless it’s necessary I will also always do my work in PS rather then AI.

On the other hand, u said that it took few days for you to find the most options out, that’s what I’m talking about. Not every buyer have time to learn illustrator and since Photoshop is rather popular in basic users of net than illustrator, it’s easy for them to work in PS than AI. It’s not about you and me, it’s about people who aren’t engaged in graphics field.

Photoshop is a good choice as long as buyers support it,although illustrator eps can be better in some cases!

It is allowed eps. , ai. and ind. but why not and cdr.