I love to use digital paper and overlay for scrapping or using them to create a beautiful planner page. I have created a lot of digital papers in our monthly magazine for our members. So I would like to share some digital papers and overlays. So you can decide what to sell
What is digital paper?
Digital paper is a digital artwork file, often in JPEG or PN format, creating a pattern or texture. We often use them on traditional printed scrapbook paper. However, the use of those papers is versatile. The digital paper is typically offered as 12″ x 12″ or 8.5″ x 11″ images. After downloading, the paper can be used to create digital scrapbook pages or printed to create crafts, invites, decorations, or anything else that typically uses traditional paper.
How to use digital paper
I use digital paper to create digital scrapbook pages, which can be printed or used digitally on my digital planner and journal. Print your digital paper to use just as you would traditional scrapbook paper. Digital paper is a great way to create party decorations like party banners, invitation cards, and more.
For example, a party or shower decorations you could make with printed digital paper, such as napkin rings, placemats, water bottle labels, straw flags, cupcake toppers, tray liners, vase wraps, and favor tags.
The list of digital paper use
Printable Scrapbook Paper
Background for your digital design elements
T-shirt (POD)
Coffee mug
Car decal
Wall decor for your home
Laptop decal
Greeting card
Tote bag
Framed sign
Banners
Once you have downloaded your digital paper design file from your favorite designer, you can open your file in Photoshop or illustrator. Also, you can open any of your favorite photo editing and graphic program. You can add text, images, or shapes of graphics to create your own end of the product.
If you have photoshop skills, you can add filters or effects to make beautiful artwork.
example of using digital paper
Using Digital paper for your business
To be honest with you, most digital papers are formatted JPG files for the marketplace and restricted licensing. If you want to use them for your digital product, you can purchase them with a commercial license.
Also, the average price range is quite low. For example, 10 files are around US$2-3 in average price. Selling digital paper itself isn’t a profitable business compared to the effort you put into it. However, if you love to create digital papers, you can use the motif or patterns to make bundles, such as clip art, digital sticker(pre-made composition), sticky note for planners or journals, and digital paper all-in-one products.
Also, you can sell digital pattern overlay templates and digital papers bundled up with commercial use license. It can be a more profitable business.
Do you want to receive monthly digital art magazines in your inbox?
As a member, you will get
-digital clip art, digital stickers digital pattern paper, digital planner layout, and more in one magazine with downloadable files
– access to member-exclusive Resource hub: the previous magazines and other resources and tutorials for digital planner creation
-memeber disicount code for etsy shop
So, now you are wondering about “what is the pattern overlay?”
What is the pattern overlay/digital paper overlay?
The overlay or template contains the pattern in a solid color (usually black and white) with the background transparent. You must save it in png file format to keep this transparent background. The main difference between an overlay and digital paper is this transparent background, rather than a white, background, as this means you can add your own colors or texture to both the overlay layer and the background to create digital products.
Overlays can come in either PNG file format, Procreate file, or PSD file format. If an overlay you want to purchase is only offered in PNG file format, it just means you need to create a new file in Photoshop or Procreate, then drag and drop the overlay onto the template, and add a solid color to use.
If you choose to sell pattern overlays, make sure you save them in PNG file format, as this type of file can be used in other image editing programs. For example, I sell pattern overlay with PNG files, Procreate files, and PSD files for Photoshop.
So If you have Photoshop or Procreate and want to design your own products such as patterns, printables, business cards, logos, invitations, party banners, etc. I recommend purchasing pattern overlays. Overlays allow you to choose the exact colors that you want to use in your designs.
Why do people buy a digital paper?
If you don’t have advanced design skills in photoshop or Procreate or don’t have time to make patterns from scratch, you would purchase pre-made digital paper made to use in your designs – it’s less expensive than you think. I explained the price range of digital paper above. Just be sure to read the terms of use before purchasing digital paper, also ensure that the terms and use allow your intended use for their designs. Some designers will require you to give credit when you use their designs and/or purchase a mass production (typically 500-1000+ copies of a product) license.
What is the most common pattern/ motif for digital paper and overlay?
When we make digital paper or overlay, first decide what pattern or motif you want to use for digital paper. The most common patterns you are likely to see in the marketplace:
Chevrons
Polka Dots
Stripes
Quatrefoil /Moroccan tile
Gingham
There are many pattern design terms, you can research what motif you want to make. Artlandia has a helpful glossary of pattern names and images to understand pattern design
I shared how to make polka dot overlays in the post. and you can also find my other blog post “How to make a seamless pattern in Procreate”
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