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Using Adobe Illustrator to Create Digital Products to Sell

Is Adobe Illustrator the best program for creating digital products? See if you should use Adobe Illustrator if you are selling digital products online.

7 min read

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If you're looking to start a digital product business, or you want to take your art to the next level, Adobe Illustrator is the perfect choice for your go to software program. It's powerful, versatile, and packed with features to help you create stunning digital products that you can sell online.

With Adobe Illustrator, you can create any type of digital product you can imagine. Whether you're looking to start a business or simply want to create better art work, Illustrator is the right tool for the job.

Check out the pros and cons of Adobe Illustrator and see why Illustrator may be the perfect tool for starting a digital product business.

What is Adobe Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is a digital product that you can use to create digital products to sell online
Photo by Emily Bernal from Unsplash

Illustrator Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. It was created in the early 1980s as a commercial illustration program. The latest version, Illustrator CC 2018, is available for Windows and macOS.

Adobe Illustrator allows users to create complex illustrations using basic shapes such as rectangles, ellipses or polygons. Graphics can be further manipulated with tools including the brush tool, pencil tool, eraser tool, shape builder tool, gradient mesh tool and many more features are also included in this software package to help you create stunning digital products. If you're looking to start a digital product business Adobe Illustrator should be your go-to software for creating vector art.

Pros of Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator best product review for creative businesses
Adobe Illustrator 2022

Here are six reasons why Adobe Illustrator should be your go-to tool for starting a digital product business:

1. Easily Scale Your Work Without Losing Quality.  

How many times have you wanted to make an image larger and then realized you can't because it becomes blurry? If you want to create graphics, logos, icons, or any other digital file that needs to be scaled, illustrator is the best program for creating vector art.

2. Don't Worry About Pixels.

How many times have you wanted to make an image larger and then realized you can't because it becomes blurry? You do not have to worry about pixels and you can create a clean image that can be as small or as large as you like.

3. Can Turn Files into JPEG/PNG File Without Losing Quality.

Once you get the correct size, you can export the vector art as a vector or you can convert it to a JPEG or PNG file.

4. Draw with Digital Tools.

With its wide range of tools and capabilities, you can create anything from simple graphics to complex illustrations with ease.

5. Small File Sizes.

Illustrator files are be relatively small in size, compared to a JPEG or PNG files. This can be especially useful if you are using graphics for the web because your files will be small, but your vector art will stay clean and crisp.

6.  Use Vectors in Other Adobe Programs.

The ability to create vector art and then use that file in a different program as one of the best advantages to using Adobe illustrator. For example, it is very easy to create a logo and then place it in Photoshop, InDesign, or Acrobat.

7. Works on Mac and Windows Operating Systems

As a Windows and Mac user, I love the ability to start working on a project on my Mac and then later open it on my Window without worrying if my file will be compatible. Additionally, it does not matter if you have an older computer, you can still use Illustrator without having an issues.

8. Free Trial

Adobe offers a 7 day free trial, which includes the full version of Illustrator. It does require you to give them your credit card, but it won't charge you until after the free trial ends.

Cons of Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is the best vector graphics software for creative businesses
Adobe Illustrator 2022

No software is perfect and there are a few disadvantages that must be mentioned:

1.  Learning Curve

Adobe Illustrator can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, with all of the options and tools available.  Many first time users become frustrated because the program can be confusing and intimidating.

It is true that Illustrator is not instinctively easy to use. The ability to be up and running when you open the program is unlikely as it takes time to learn the program, as well as you need to practice using all of the tools correctly. It is unlikely you will learn the program within the trial period.

If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, I would suggest watching training videos before starting your free trial. There are a number of videos online that can get you started. Adobe does offer a number of training videos to get you started, but when I was learning, I did not feel they were much help. If you want an in-depth online class, I would suggest

If you are new to Adobe Illustrator, I would suggest watching training videos before starting your free trial. There are a number of videos online that can get you started. Adobe does offer a number of training videos to get you started, but when I was learning, I did not feel they were much help. If you want an in-depth online class, I would suggest Illustrator 2022 Essential Training from Linkedin Learning. There are a number of Adobe Illustrator classes on Linkedin Learning and you can receive a 1 month free trial.

Adobe Illustrator has a bit of a learning curve, but it is well worth it in the end. Once you understand how Adobe works and learn the tools, you will be able to create anything you can imagine.

2.  Cost of Adobe Illustrator

To use Illustrator, you must have a subscription, either monthly or yearly. This may be more than you are want to spend. The pricing plans are also complicated, depending if you are individual or a business.

There are other programs out there that offer similar features, but once you learn Illustrator it will be difficult to settle for one of the alternatives.

3. Interface

Adobe's Photoshop and Illustrator look similar, but the tools do not work the same and can cause unnecessary confusion. Further, the shortcut keys for the two programs are different and that can cause frustration.

4. Illustrator Can Be Slow

One issue that has happened to me on multiple occasion is that Illustrator can be slow. This is really noticeable when you are trying to do image tracing or if you have an older computer. You will also see the program slowing if you use certain effects, especially on older machines. Most times this is not noticeable if your computer is relatively new.

Adobe Illustrator Pricing

Adobe offers a seven-day free trial, but you will have to enter your credit card information in ord­­er for the trial to begin at the end of the trial your credit card will be charged.

Individual Plans

For an individual, the monthly cost for Adobe is $20.99 per month, but if you opt for the Creative Cloud package, it will cost you $52.99. If you're planning on creating digital art or you want to use the program for marketing, I would suggest getting the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. With the creative cloud all Apps, you will receive 20+ creative cloud apps.

Adobe Illustrator Individual Plans offer free trial as well as Adobe Creative Cloud
Individual Pricing for Adobe Illustrator and Creative Cloud

Business Plans

The Business Plan for Illustrator is $33.99 per month, per license and the creative Cloud All Apps is $79.99 per month, per license. The business plan allows you to have a management console and instant asset syncing across your devices. There is a 14 day free trial and no credit card is required to start your trial.

Student and Teacher Plans

There are also plans for students and teachers.  With the student and teacher edition, you will receive Adobe Creative Cloud, which included the 20+ creative cloud apps. To be eligible, you must be a teacher or a student and provide your school issued email address or provide other proof that you are a student. They may ask for a copy of your student ID as well. The price for the first year is $19.99 and then $29.99 month after that.

Student and teachers receive a discount for Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Adobe Illustrator
Student/Teacher Adobe Illustrator and Creative Cloud Pricing

Give Adobe Illustrator a Try

Adobe Illustrator is the perfect program for anyone that wants to start a digital product business or is interested in creating great digital art. Although it takes time to learn the program, once you do, you will not want to use any other program. If you're looking to start a digital product business, Adobe Illustrator is the perfect program for you!

Start your journey to creating amazing digital products by trying Adobe Illustrator today! Sign up for a free trial of Adobe Illustrator today and see for yourself what Illustrator can do for your digital product business.

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Special thanks for hero image by Freepik.