Top Graphic Design Apps for Tablets

Graphic design on tablets has become increasingly popular due to the portability and convenience these devices offer. Whether you’re a professional designer or a hobbyist, having the right tools can make all the difference. Below, we’ll explore some of the best graphic design apps for tablets, each offering unique features and capabilities.

Procreate

Procreate is one of the most popular graphic design apps available exclusively on iOS devices. It’s renowned for its intuitive interface and a wide range of creative tools. Procreate supports high-resolution canvases, over 100 customizable brushes, and multi-touch gestures that allow you to zoom, rotate, and adjust your canvas easily. It’s ideal for both sketching and detailed artwork, making it a favorite among professional artists and illustrators.

Key Features:

• High-resolution canvases with up to 16k by 4k on certain devices.
• Over 100 customizable brushes with the ability to create your own.
• Supports layers with blend modes for more complex designs.
• Animation Assist to create frame-by-frame animations.
• Apple Pencil support for precise control.

Procreate is priced as a one-time purchase, making it a cost-effective option for many designers.

Adobe Fresco

Adobe Fresco is another excellent app, available on both iOS and Windows devices. It combines the power of raster and vector brushes to offer a versatile design experience. Adobe Fresco is particularly well-suited for illustrators who want to create detailed drawings with the ability to scale without losing quality.

Key Features:

• Vector and raster brushes in one app.
• Live brushes that simulate real-life painting effects.
• Integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Automatic cloud saving for seamless access across devices.
• Multi-layered projects with various blending options.

While Adobe Fresco offers a free version, the premium subscription unlocks additional brushes and features, making it a more powerful tool for professionals.

Affinity Designer

Affinity Designer is a vector graphic design app that rivals Adobe Illustrator in terms of functionality. Available on iOS and Windows, it provides a robust set of tools for creating vector art, icons, UI designs, and more.

Key Features:

• Precision vector tools with support for advanced color control.
• Seamless switching between raster and vector workspaces.
• Supports up to 1,000,000% zoom for detailed work.
• Unlimited artboards for large projects.
• Professional-grade typography tools with full OpenType support.

Affinity Designer is also available as a one-time purchase, making it a preferred choice for designers who want a professional-grade tool without a subscription model.

Concepts

Concepts is a flexible sketching app that caters to a wide range of design needs, from architecture to product design. It’s available on both iOS and Android, and its infinite canvas and precision tools make it a standout choice.

Key Features:

• Infinite canvas for unrestricted design.
• Precision measurement tools for accurate designs.
• Customizable brushes and tools.
• Real-world paper textures and layers.
• Vector-based for scalable designs.

Concepts offers a free version with basic tools, while the Pro version unlocks advanced features and brushes, making it suitable for professional work.

Autodesk SketchBook

Autodesk SketchBook is a powerful app available on iOS, Android, and Windows. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and a wide array of tools that cater to both beginners and professionals.

Key Features:

• Over 190 customizable brushes.
• Copic Color Library for accurate color matching.
• Supports layers with layer grouping and blending modes.
• Predictive stroke to smooth lines automatically.
• Time-lapse recording to capture your creative process.

Autodesk SketchBook is free to use, making it an accessible choice for designers at any level.

Infinite Painter

Infinite Painter is an Android-first app that has gained popularity for its extensive brush library and realistic painting tools. It’s ideal for artists who prefer a more traditional painting experience on a digital platform.

Key Features:

• Over 160 natural brushes with realistic textures.
• Customizable brushes and blending modes.
• Perspective guides for architectural design.
• Layer support with blend modes and masking.
• Export to PSD for further editing in Photoshop.

Infinite Painter offers a free version with basic tools, while the premium version provides additional features and brushes.

Conclusion

Choosing the right graphic design app for your tablet depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize vector design, detailed illustration, or flexible sketching, there’s an app out there to suit your creative process. Procreate and Adobe Fresco are excellent choices for professional artists, while Affinity Designer and Concepts offer powerful tools for more specialized work. Autodesk SketchBook and Infinite Painter provide great value for those seeking free or cost-effective solutions.