Tired of using traditional sketching methods for your fashion designs?
Upgrade your skills and switch to digital fashion illustration! Creating stunning fashion designs is now easier than ever thanks to the growing number of drawing apps available for digital fashion illustration.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional fashion designer, these apps offer a wide range of tools and features for all skill levels and styles.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 20 best drawing apps for digital fashion illustration, including fashion design sketching apps, digital sketching apps for fashion design, fashion illustration apps and more.
| App Name | What It Does? | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Illustrator | Industry standard for vector art. | $20.99/month |
| Procreate | iPad exclusive with a focus on natural drawing. | $9.99 (one-time) |
| SketchBook | Offers a clean interface and natural drawing tools. | Free |
| CorelDRAW | Vector-based with extensive tools. | $249/year |
| Clip Studio Paint | Great for comic-style illustrations. | Starts at $49.99 (one-time) |
| Affinity Designer | A cheaper alternative to Adobe Illustrator. | $49.99 (one-time) |
| ArtRage | Mimics traditional media like oil and watercolor. | Starts at $29.00 (one-time) |
| Concepts | Vector-based with an infinite canvas. | Free, In-app purchases |
| Infinite Painter | Android app with natural brushes. | Free, In-app purchases |
| ibisPaint X | Mobile app with social sharing features. | Free, In-app purchases |
| MediBang Paint | Focuses on comic and manga art. | Free |
| Tayasui Sketches | Simple interface with realistic brushes. | Free, Pro: $5.99 |
| Inspire Pro | iPad app with fast performance. | $9.99 (one-time) |
| YouiDraw | Browser-based, good for quick sketches. | Free, Premium: $9.99/month |
| Paper by WeTransfer | Simple and intuitive, great for quick ideas. | Free |
| Sketch Club | Offers a community to share and learn. | $2.99 (one-time) |
| DrawPlus | Vector drawing with a range of brushes. | Free, Pro: $119.99 (one-time) |
| PaintTool SAI | Lightweight with focus on line art. | $50.81 (one-time) |
| Krita | Open-source with a focus on texture brushes. | Free |
| MyPaint | Open-source, mimics traditional media. | Free |
My Personal Experience (2024 Update)
Adobe Illustrator: Precision & Professionalism at Its Peak
When it comes to Adobe Illustrator, I’ve found it to be indispensable, especially for creating vector-based fashion flats and technical illustrations. Illustrator’s precision tools make it easy to adjust every line and detail, which is ideal for preparing designs for production or creating print-ready files for marketing materials. One time, I was working on a series of detailed prints for a client who wanted perfect symmetry across multiple elements. Illustrator’s “Snap to Grid” and “Pathfinder” tools allowed me to create flawless geometric shapes that saved me hours.
Pricing: $20.99/month
Procreate: Natural, Free-Flowing Sketches on the iPad
Procreate has become my go-to for freehand sketches. Its realistic brush library makes it feel like a true drawing experience, especially when used with an Apple Pencil. While creating a new fashion collection on the go, I love being able to sketch and shade directly on my iPad. In one project, I used Procreate to mock up fabric textures for a fall collection—its charcoal and watercolor brushes gave a natural look that helped my clients visualize the textures they wanted. Procreate’s layering system also allows me to break down each component, like fabric drape and seam details, in a way that’s clear and easy to refine.
Pricing: $9.99 (one-time)
SketchBook: Intuitive & Accessible for All Levels
SketchBook’s simplicity makes it a fantastic option when I want to capture quick, spontaneous ideas. The interface is uncluttered, letting me focus purely on sketching without getting bogged down by tools I don’t need at the moment. I recently used SketchBook to create a few rapid-fire sketches while brainstorming a client’s spring collection. The app’s customizable brush settings let me mimic fabric textures in seconds, which helped my team visualize the mood instantly.
Pricing: Free
CorelDRAW: Versatile Vector Powerhouse
CorelDRAW is another vector-based app, and while it’s not as widely used as Illustrator, I’ve found it to be incredibly powerful. I once worked on a branding project for a new fashion line, and CorelDRAW’s extensive typography and layout tools were a lifesaver. It’s also got a fantastic trace function that allows me to convert my hand-drawn sketches into vector graphics quickly—a feature that saved me when I needed to present a refined logo on short notice.
Pricing: $249/year
Clip Studio Paint: Made for Comics, but Works for Fashion!
Clip Studio Paint is a go-to for comic artists, but I’ve found it surprisingly useful for fashion illustrations that need a unique, dynamic look. I used it on a project that required bold, exaggerated illustrations for a youth streetwear brand. The app’s comic-focused tools, like speech bubbles and effect lines, added a cool, graphic vibe that complemented the edgy aesthetic. Plus, Clip Studio Paint has highly customizable brushes that gave my work a vibrant, illustrated feel.
Pricing: Starts at $49.99 (one-time)
Affinity Designer: The Budget-Friendly Vector Solution
Affinity Designer offers most of what I need from Illustrator at a fraction of the price, making it a great alternative for more budget-conscious projects. I once used it to design a complete range of accessories, from bags to jewelry, focusing on vector-based illustrations. Its “Personas” feature lets me switch between vector and raster workspaces, which made it easy to apply textures without exporting files between apps. The app’s affordability doesn’t skimp on quality, and I’ve found it to be a fantastic tool when Illustrator isn’t accessible.
Pricing: $49.99 (one-time)
ArtRage: Emulating Traditional Media
ArtRage is my go-to for projects that need an authentic, hand-painted look. Its realistic media tools, like oil paint and watercolor, make it feel like I’m working on a canvas. I used ArtRage to create a set of mood board illustrations for a luxury collection where the client wanted a “handmade” feel. The oil paint tool allowed me to create rich textures and blend colors seamlessly, adding a warmth and depth that digital tools sometimes lack. ArtRage’s interface is intuitive, allowing me to focus on creating without getting tangled in complicated menus.
Pricing: Starts at $29.00 (one-time)
Concepts: Endless Canvas for Endless Creativity
Concepts’ infinite canvas has been a game-changer for brainstorming sessions and large-scale concept development. I used it while designing a sportswear line, where I needed to map out ideas for an entire collection on a single screen. Concepts allowed me to sketch different design elements side by side without having to start a new canvas each time, making it perfect for capturing the big picture. The vector-based approach and endless canvas let me zoom in and out with ease, refining details and layout without limits.
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases
Infinite Painter: Realistic Brushes on Android
Infinite Painter is a hidden gem for Android users, especially if you’re looking for realistic brushes. I once used this app while away from my main design tools to draft out ideas for a fabric collection inspired by nature. Its blending and shading tools create an impressive natural look, and I could adjust the pressure sensitivity on my stylus to mimic traditional painting techniques. Infinite Painter has proven especially useful for creating texture studies on-the-go when I don’t have my iPad handy.
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases
ibisPaint X: Social Sharing and Sketching in One
ibisPaint X offers a unique social-sharing feature that makes it easy to get feedback from fellow designers. I tried it out on a collaborative project for a design challenge where sharing progress with my team was key. I appreciated the app’s easy-to-use interface and brush variety for drafting quick ideas and concepts. Posting my sketches to the app’s online community added an extra layer of motivation and feedback, which helped push the project forward. It’s a great option if you enjoy sharing your work or seeking inspiration from others.
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases
MediBang Paint: Focused on Comic-Style and Manga Art
MediBang Paint is fantastic for any project that calls for stylized, comic-inspired visuals. I’ve used it in brainstorming sessions for younger fashion lines where bold outlines and expressive designs were the focus. With features like comic panels and screentones, it’s fun to experiment with adding a unique flair to fashion sketches, especially if you’re designing for a demographic that loves manga or anime-inspired designs. Plus, the app is free, making it accessible for anyone interested in exploring a different style.
Pricing: Free
Tayasui Sketches: Realistic Brushes in a Minimalist Interface
Tayasui Sketches is perfect for quick, simple sketches when I want to capture an idea without overthinking it. I’ve used it for roughing out concepts and initial designs due to its easy-to-navigate interface and high-quality brush selection. The watercolor tool in particular allows me to add a soft, blended look to my sketches, which I’ve used in multiple projects to explore color schemes. Tayasui Sketches is a lightweight app but delivers quality output for those quick ideas that just can’t wait.
Pricing: Free, Pro version for $5.99
Inspire Pro: Speed and Quality on the iPad
Inspire Pro offers fast performance on the iPad, making it ideal for high-resolution sketching without lag. I used it on a project where I needed to capture detailed fabric draping in high definition for a formalwear line. The app’s speed and rich color options allowed me to achieve a professional-quality finish in a short amount of time, which was critical for meeting deadlines. Its extensive brush library and intuitive blending tools are great for designers who want power and speed.
Pricing: $9.99 (one-time)
YouiDraw: Quick and Accessible in the Browser
YouiDraw is a web-based app that I turn to for quick sketches when I’m not near my main devices. While it’s not as feature-rich as other apps, it’s handy for whipping up simple designs on the go. I once used YouiDraw to sketch logo concepts during a branding meeting, and its basic vector tools got the job done. It’s a convenient, budget-friendly option if you need access to a digital drawing tool from any browser.
Pricing: Free, Premium version for $9.99/month
Paper by WeTransfer: Simple and Efficient for Quick Ideas
Paper by WeTransfer offers a minimalist interface that’s ideal for capturing ideas in a flash. I’ve used Paper in brainstorming sessions, where I could quickly jot down thoughts and sketch small thumbnails. Its intuitive layout makes it easy to switch between notes and sketches, making it perfect for mixed-media brainstorming. Although simple, it’s a fantastic tool for planning out a design’s initial stages or creating quick fashion mood boards.
Pricing: Free
Sketch Club: Community-Driven Creativity
Sketch Club’s unique community aspect makes it more than just a sketching app. I use it not only for drawing but also for learning and sharing tips with other designers. The app has a wide range of tools, but its real strength is the learning environment it fosters. For example, I shared a recent collection concept there and received feedback that helped refine the final look. It’s a great place to expand your skills and get inspired by others.
Pricing: $2.99 (one-time)
DrawPlus: Versatile, Budget-Friendly Vector App
DrawPlus is another vector-based option that’s highly accessible and easy to use. I’ve used it as a budget-friendly alternative to Illustrator, especially when working on projects that required vector-based logos and branding. It has an impressive brush range and enough flexibility to handle various fashion design needs. While it’s not as advanced as some options, it’s a solid choice for simple, scalable designs.
Pricing: Free, Pro version at $119.99 (one-time)
PaintTool SAI: Lightweight with a Focus on Line Art
PaintTool SAI is ideal for clean, precise line work, which I’ve found helpful when creating detailed fashion flats. The app’s stabilization tool keeps my lines crisp, which is perfect for technical sketches where precision is key. I used PaintTool SAI to outline a series of swimwear designs for a client, and the smooth line quality gave my sketches a polished look right from the start.
Pricing: $50.81 (one-time)
Krita: Open-Source with High-Quality Texture Brushes
Krita’s open-source nature and emphasis on texture brushes make it great for freehand sketching with a focus on textiles. I used Krita when I was exploring various fabric textures for an outerwear line and needed to visualize how patterns would look across different materials. Its powerful brushes let me experiment with textures like wool and silk without buying costly software.
Pricing: Free
MyPaint: Open-Source, Traditional Media Emulation
MyPaint is a simple open source application that emulates traditional media remarkably well. I’ve used it for warm-up sketches and explorations when I wanted the feel of real paint or charcoal. It’s great for concept development, especially when I’m experimenting with new ideas for prints or fabric designs.
Its pared-down interface makes it easy to focus on the art rather than the tools.
Pricing: Free
Each of these apps has added a different layer to my design process. From Procreate’s intuitive brushes to Adobe Illustrator’s unbeatable precision, the variety keeps my workflow dynamic and responsive to the unique needs of every project.
Upgrade Your Fashion Design Skills with Digital Fashion Illustration Apps
Ready to elevate your fashion design skills?
Digital fashion illustration apps are changing the game, offering creative freedom, flexibility, and portability like never before. Gone are the days of lugging around sketchbooks or settling for static tools. Now, with the right digital tools, you can bring every idea to life—right from your tablet or smartphone.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s a digital sketching app designed to meet you where you are. Dive into our curated list of the 20 best drawing apps for fashion designers, covering everything from basic sketching tools to advanced digital design software. Let’s find the right one to take your creativity to the next level!
Top Apps for Fashion Design Sketching
Your sketches are the backbone of your design process. They’re where your ideas first come alive. But to truly elevate them, you need the right app—one that suits your style, skill level, and workflow needs.
1. Procreate
Procreate is like a digital art studio on demand. With over 200 brushes, custom layering, and a rich color palette, it’s a top pick for fashion designers who want both flexibility and precision. Plus, it’s easy to export to other design software for further refining.
2. SketchBook
Perfect for beginners, SketchBook offers a range of customizable brushes and a user-friendly interface. It’s straightforward without being simplistic, giving you all the tools you need to sketch ideas quickly and clearly.
3. Adobe Illustrator
Known for its precision and scalability, Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard for vector graphics. It’s ideal for fashion designers looking to create clean, professional designs with scalable, print-ready results.
Finding Your Fit:
Before downloading, consider your needs.
What’s your budget?
Do you prefer vector-based design, or do you enjoy more traditional pencil and brush effects?
Answering these questions will guide you to the perfect app.
Fashion Design Apps for Creativity On the Go
Fashion inspiration can strike anywhere—in a coffee shop, on a plane, or just before a meeting. Mobile sketching apps make it easy to capture these moments of inspiration without carrying bulky sketchbooks. Just open your app, start sketching, and turn an idea into reality on the spot.
Top Picks for Mobile Sketching:
- Procreate Pocket (iOS, $4.99): The mobile version of Procreate, with all the power packed into a smaller screen.
- SketchBook (iOS, Android, Free with in-app purchases): Available across devices, it’s an affordable and accessible choice for sketching on the go.
- Adobe Illustrator Draw (iOS, Android, Free): Focused on vector graphics, this app integrates seamlessly with the Adobe suite for designers who rely on Adobe tools.
“Capture your ideas whenever and wherever they come to you, without losing the details. With these sketch apps, a creative idea is only a tap away.”
Taking Your Sketches to the Next Level
Once you’ve started sketching with these apps, you’ll quickly see just how powerful they can be. Digital tools like layers, perspective guides, and a vast range of brushes mean you can bring depth and dimension to your designs—no erasers or smudging required.
Apps for Professional-Level Detail
- Procreate: Layering, effects, and unlimited brush customization make Procreate an essential for pro designers.
- Autodesk Sketchbook: With customizable brushes and layer controls, it’s ideal for designers who want to push their skills.
- Adobe Illustrator Draw: Vector-based, it lets you create sharp, precise illustrations—perfect for print-ready designs.
Fashion Design Apps with Seamless Integration
Fashion design involves more than just sketches. You might need to edit in Photoshop, present in InDesign, or even render in After Effects. The best fashion design apps integrate seamlessly with other software, making it easier than ever to create a smooth workflow from sketch to final product.
Imagine easily transferring your designs to another program for editing or refinement without exporting/importing headaches. That’s the power of choosing an app that integrates well with other design software.
“Integrating your sketching app with other software saves valuable time and eliminates frustration. It’s the smart way to design.”
Standouts for Integration:
- Adobe Illustrator: Works effortlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud, syncing files across programs.
- Procreate: Easy to export to Photoshop and other tools, making further edits a breeze.
Fashion Illustration Apps for Enhanced Visuals
If you want to add extra flair to your illustrations, consider apps that go beyond basic sketching. With texture tools, brush styles, and advanced effects, these apps add depth and sophistication to your work.
Top Illustration Apps:
- Procreate: The go-to for illustrators thanks to drawing guides and perspective grids that keep your designs accurate.
- SketchBook: User-friendly yet powerful, it provides plenty of brushes and textures to experiment with.
- Adobe Illustrator Draw: A vector-based powerhouse for sharp, professional illustrations, with Creative Cloud integration to take designs further.
Sketching Apps for Designers at Every Level
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned designer, there’s an app that fits. From intuitive interfaces for newcomers to complex layering and vector options for professionals, these sketching apps are designed for all skill levels.
Best Apps by Level:
- Beginners: SketchBook (easy to use, plenty of support), Paper by WeTransfer (minimalist but versatile).
- Intermediate: Autodesk SketchBook (more customization, layers, perspective guides).
- Advanced: Procreate (advanced effects, custom brushes), Adobe Illustrator (scalable, print-ready vector designs).
No matter your experience level, these apps will let you create stunning digital fashion sketches and take your designs to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use these apps on both iOS and Android devices?
A: Yes, most of these apps are available on both platforms. You can design from almost any mobile device, whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, or Android tablet.
Q: Are these apps suitable for beginners?
A: Absolutely! Many of these apps offer user-friendly interfaces and are perfect for designers just starting out.
Q: Can I export my sketches to other design software?
A: Definitely. Most of these apps offer various export options, so you can transfer your sketches for further editing.
Q: Are these apps free or do they require a subscription?
A: Pricing varies. Some are free with optional in-app purchases, while others require a subscription or a one-time fee. Be sure to check pricing before you download.
Q: Can I use a stylus pen with these apps?
A: Yes! Many apps are optimized for stylus use, giving you more control and precision.
Q: Can I import reference images into these apps?
A: Yes, importing reference images is easy. Simply select a photo from your gallery, and you’re ready to go!
Start Sketching Your Masterpiece
With digital fashion design apps, your creativity is only a tap away.
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