The Print Shop for Mac, free and safe download. The Print Shop latest version: User friendly desktop publishing software for Macs. Photoshop Alternatives for Mac Seashore. Seashore is open source Mac-only editing software based on GIMP, but with an interface designed to match the MAC OS X aesthetic. The result is a good-looking program that may not exactly be equivalent to Photoshop, but ultimately produces attractive results with ease.
- January 01, 2021
- 18 min to read
If you need to make a few tweaks to your images, but do not want to use Photoshop, you are in luck as there are several superb solutions. Here are the 15 best alternatives in no particular order:
- Where you can use it: Browsers on Mac and Windows, and as an app for Android and iOS. Why we love it: Google Photos is a straightforward but efficient online photo editor. The cloud-based photo organization system is a huge plus, as is the 15GB of free storage.
- Desktop Publishing Software for Mac. Swift Publisher is a super-intuitive, all-purpose page layout and desktop publishing app for Mac. It doesn’t matter what kind of document you need to layout and print — from brochures and calendars to CD labels and eye-catching, professional business cards — Swift Publisher covers it all.
- Download The Print Shop Updater for Mac to print labels, greeting cards, posters or calendars. The 23.1.11 version of The Print Shop is provided as a free download on our website. The most popular versions of the software 23.1, 23.0 and 22.0.
1. Luminar AI (Free Trial 7 days)
When time for editing your photos is a luxury, Luminar AI can help. Luminar AI lets you transform your photos in a flash and synchronizes all the edits that you have made effortlessly. What makes it so great is that you can easily browse all your photos as it automatically organizes your photos which makes navigation simple. Luminar Libraries also boast a very modern interface which optimizes the viewing experience.
Luminar AI offers many great adjustable styles, features, and tools that you will fall in love with such as its AI Sky Enhancers, Advanced Contrast, and Dehaze to mention only a few.
2. Pixlr (Free Version Available)
Pixlr boasts an interface that is really not much different from Photoshop. It offers hundreds of overlays, borders and other effects. If you simply want to crop your image or whiten your teeth on your iOS or Android device, Pixlr is the right tool for the job. With Pixlr, you can complete all the editing tasks that a good basic photo editor will allow.
3. PicMonkey (Trial 7 days)
The beauty of PicMonkey is found in its easy-to-use interface. If you need to put together a collage, this is your tool to use. All you have to do is upload your images and drag them into the right spot.
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements (Free Trial 30 days)
Do not be fooled by the name, Adobe Photoshop Elements is not the actual Photoshop. However, countless users have experienced that the Adobe Photoshop Elements app offers all the tools that they require to enhance their images. In short, this app has been reduced to the essentials.
With the help of its Adjustment and Blend layers, you can turn any photo into the most amazing image in barely any time at all. Thanks to its guided mode, it is also geared towards beginners.
When it comes to finding a Photoshop alternative, your only challenge will be to identify the software solution that works the best for your unique needs. Why not give them all a try? You might just discover that the best course of action will be to use a couple of these tools instead of just one.
5. Sketch (Free Trial 30 days, MacOS only)
If you are working on a Mac and in need of a budget-friendly alternative to Photoshop, Sketch is the answer. Sketch is a vector graphics app that has the design field all excited, specifically website designers. As it is so popular, you will be able to access countless plug-ins that have been created by the community that will make this app even more functional.
Its user interface is easy to understand and boasts several features such as gradients and layers that are similar to Illustrator and Photoshop. What is more, it also offers a color picker and style presets. You can use one of the basic shapes to create your own graphic or start from scratch with the help of the pencil tool. This app is really so flexible!
6. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
GNU is an open-source cross-platform image editor. As its interface is very similar to Photoshop, it will not take you too long to familiarize yourself with GIMP. Though, users who do not have any image editing experience will find the different GIMP tutorials very useful.
It offers color correction, enhancement as well as painting tools to mention only a couple of its features and is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac.
7. Acorn (Trial 14 days)
Mac users who are searching for image editing software need to look no further than Acorn. It is a cost-effective solution if you do not have access to Photoshop. What makes it so great is that it is quick, enjoyable to use and offers useful features.
Some of its features include non-destructive filters, custom brushes and layer styles to mention only a few. The software is easy to use, but, you can rest assured, there are tutorials available for both beginners as well as image editing experts.
8. Affinity Photo (Trial)
Affinity Photo is for sure one of the best Photoshop alternatives. It is ideal for professional designers and photographers as it is completely compatible with Photoshop as well as other file formats. What makes it such a great alternative is that it is not nearly as expensive as Photoshop. Though, users can rest assured as it will still deliver the same performance (if not better).
It is compatible with Mac and Windows. If you are using an iPad, you will be happy to know that Affinity Photo for iPad is also available.
9. Pixelmator Pro (Trial 30 days)
Pixelmator is not a new Photoshop alternative, but recently the Pixelmator Pro version which uses a user-friendly single-window interface has been added to the mix. On top of that, the Pixelmator Pro version also boasts non-destructive image editing and offers features that include split view and a hidden interface that allows you to view your images without any distractions.
It is only available for Mac users.
10. SumoPaint (Online + Desktop)
The different standard features that you would expect in a Photoshop alternative, SumoPaint has to offer. There are shapes, brushes, gradients, text, and pencils that you can effortlessly access.
Though a word of warning to Photoshop users - a couple of its tools work differently and there are some limitations. Overall, this image editor remains very capable and can load in a flash.
11. Paint.net
Paint.net is a powerful and practical tool that Windows users can rely on instead of Photoshop. It is a capable and functional tool that concentrates less on artistic creation and more on photo editing.
It offers a decent variety of tools and special effects that include brightness/contrast and repeat selections. It might not boast all the serious editing tools, but that only means that it is not as difficult to master making it the ideal image editor tool for beginners.
The Print Shop For Macintosh
12. Canva (Free Basic Plan + Trial 30 days)
Canva is where you will find countless layouts, stock photos, fonts and other great design elements. The best part is that several of these you can use at zero cost. You can use this app to design your business card or put together a birthday card.
13. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (Trial 15 days or Full Paid or Monthly sub)
Windows users will love the tools that CorelDRAW has to offer. This Photoshop alternative boasts an interactive tool that will help you to straighten your image or adjust the perspective. Though, one of its most impressive features is its stylus control that reacts to a different pressure.
If you are working with Windows 10, this is the perfect fit. Windows users will also be happy to know that it supports 4K displays and multi-monitor viewing.
14. Photolemur (Free Version with watermark available)
Best choice for beginners or people who have no time to edit photos. Enhancing your images has never been easier thanks to Photolemur. By using AI, this automatic photo enhancer app enhances your images without you having to lift a finger. You simply need to import your images to Photolemur and it will get the job done automatically. This means that you do not require any prior editing experience to complete tasks like getting rid of imperfections. It is oh-so easy and available for both Mac and Windows.
15. Serif PhotoPlus
Many people have already relied on this app for years. It is ideal for users who are only starting with image editing now as it offers great support for new users in the form of videos and tutorials. What is more, users can get great tips on their active forum for fellow users. Thanks to its latest release, Serif PhotoPlus users will be also able to work with their RAW image files much easier.
| Original author(s) | David Balsam Martin Kahn |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Broderbund |
| Initial release | 1984; 37 years ago |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Windows, macOS discontinued: Apple II, Atari 8-bit, MS-DOS, C64, J-3100, NEC PC-9801 |
| License | Proprietary software |
| Website | www.broderbund.com, www.printshop.com |
The Print Shop is a basic desktop publishing software package originally published in 1984 by Broderbund. It was unique in that it provided libraries of clip art and templates through a simple interface to build signs, posters and banners with household dot-matrix printers.[1] Over the years, the software has been updated to accommodate changing file formats and printer technologies.
The original version was for the Apple II and created signs, cards, banners, and letterheads.[1] Designed by David Balsam and programmed by Martin Kahn, it became one of the most popular Apple II titles of all time. Versions for MS-DOS, Commodore 64, and the Atari 8-bit family followed, as did a variant for the Apple IIGS. These versions were published in Europe by Ariolasoft.
Reception[edit]
The Print Shop was very successful. In 1985, it and Ghostbusters were reportedly the two most widely pirated Commodore 64 programs.[2]II Computing listed it seventh on the magazine's list of top Apple II non-game, non-educational software as of late 1985, based on sales and market-share data.[3] In 1988, Broderbund announced that the company had sold more than one million copies, and that sales of the software comprised 4% of the entire United States software market in 1987.[4] In April 1989, it was awarded a 'Diamond' certification from the Software Publishers Association for sales above 500,000 units.[5] The series comprised 29% of Broderbund revenue in fiscal year 1992.[6]
Ahoy!'s reviewer called the Commodore 64 version of The Print Shop 'one of the best thought out, easiest to use packages I've come across', reporting that he did not need to use the manual to produce his first greeting cards. He predicted that the software 'is destined to become one of the most popular packages for the Commodore 64'.[7]II Computing criticized the Apple II version's inflexible layout options and lack of print preview, but concluded that it 'is truly 'a graphics utility for the rest of us', encouraging creativity and self-expression ... you'll want to use this program over and over again'.[8]
The Print Shop Companion[edit]
The Print Shop Companion, developed by Roland Gustafsson and released in 1985, added a calendar feature, an updated graphic editor, font and border editors, and a 'Creature Maker' game, as well as an expanded library of fonts, borders, and graphics. Initially, to use the new fonts and borders in The Print Shop Companion had to modify the original program; subsequent releases of The Print Shop included built-in support for Companion.
In 1986, the first AppleMacintosh version was released. It featured graphics by Marney Morris and was the most powerful version available at the time. It was popular in schools and contained a unique feature with which graphics could be transferred to or from a MacPaint file.
Graphics libraries for The Print Shop came from Broderbund and other vendors.[8][9] Libraries were produced for the original version and continued to be rolled out as late as the 1990s. User-produced graphics were also commonly distributed by various user groups, and even submitted to disk magazines, such as the Softdisk family of magazines.
The New Print Shop and subsequent versions[edit]
The New Print Shop came out in 1988 for Apple II and MS-DOS, and improved on the original.[10]Print Shop Deluxe, for Mac, MS-DOS, and Windows, followed in 1993. Deluxe used a new all-graphical interface still found in Print Shop programs today and allowed for the creation of calendars. Print Shop Deluxe Companion added new modules and graphics, and the Ensemble version combined The Print Shop, the Companion, and several graphics libraries on one CD.
Many new versions of The Print Shop followed, such as Ensemble II. Now over 20 years old, Print Shop still generates printed greeting cards, banners, and signs. It offers new types of printed output, including CD and DVD labels and inserts, iPod skins, and photo book pages. For small-business users, it also offers projects such as business cards, letterheads, and presentations.
On January 15, 2010, a new version for the PC-supporting Windows 7 titled The Print Shop 2.0 was released, published by Encore, Inc.. It is published in Standard, Deluxe, and Professional variants.[11]
To address Windows 7 support for pre-2.0 projects, an incremental release to the old line, The Print Shop Version 2.1 was released in July 2010.
For macOS (formerly Mac OS X), the most recent version is 4.0, developed and published by Software MacKiev, and released in December 2017.
Reception[edit]
Print Shop Deluxe was reviewed in the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book where it was praised for 'produc[ing] high-quality greeting-cards, signs, stationary, banners, calendars, gift tags and posters'.[12]
Notes[edit]
- ^ abInfoWorld magazine, page 57 - 17 September 1984
- ^Peterson, Cheryl (August 1985). 'Editorial'. Ahoy!. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ^Ciraolo, Michael (Oct–Nov 1985). 'Top Software / A List of Favorites'. II Computing. p. 51. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^'Inside the Industry'. Computer Gaming World. April 1988. p. 8.
- ^Petska-Juliussen, Karen; Juliussen, Egil (1990). The Computer Industry Almanac 1990. New York: Brady. pp. 3.10-11. ISBN978-0-13-154122-1.
- ^'The Print Shop Still Prints Money At Broderbund Software'. Computer Gaming World. February 1993. p. 82. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
- ^Kevelson, Morton (July 1985). 'Print Shop'. Ahoy!. pp. 50–53. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ^ abKovacs, Deborah (Oct–Nov 1985). 'The Print Shop and The Newsroom'. II Computing. pp. 48–49. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^'Allow Us to Draw Your Attention (advertisement)'. Compute's Gazette. June 1987. p. 5. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ^'The New Print Shop Reference Manual for the Apple IIe / IIc / IIc Plus'. Broderbund Software. 1990.
- ^Pierre-Louis, Errol (March 31, 2010). 'Print Shop Pro 2.0'. PC Magazine. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- ^Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie (1993). 'Computer Software/CD-ROM - Tools for Creative Expression: 'The Print Shop Deluxe''. The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book. 1 (1st ed.). New York: Harper Perennial. p. 271. ISBN0-06-273196-3.
External links[edit]
The Print Shop For Mac Download Free Trial
- Current site for The Print Shop 23 for Windows 10
- Current site for The Print Shop for PC & Mac
- The Print Shop Club, an Apple 2 version running in emulation in the browser