I'm so over Adobe. I need graphics software because I still, on occasion, do (volunteer) work for a museum and (paid) work for a couple of local businesses. I need to create documents that can be printed on offset presses, not just inkjet or laser printers.

But CC costs too damned much, and the Pantone thing was the straw that broke this camel's back. The ROI for CC is under water for me.

I downloaded Affinity Publisher and as far as I can tell it is just what the doctor ordered. My tentative plan is to export all my existing InDesign files to IDML so that I can import them into Affinity if/when necessary. Then dump CC and buy the Affinity suite.

Anybody using Affinity for print graphics/publishing? Any problems sending files to press? Enquiring minds want to know. Thank you in advance.

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Not really in print, but I have all 3 of their apps and find that in addition to being happy that I don't have to give Adobe any more money, they more than meet my needs when it comes to the graphics work I do primarily for web and video.

If I were passing files back and forth with other folks on Adobe CC, I can imagine having more issues with general compatibility, but for stuff that isn't being worked on collaboratively, I'd sure give Affinity a shot. As long as it can create the output you need, it probably doesn't matter much what app created it, right?

Seems like a super smart move to me.

Ive got CC + stock, so $80 a month, but I spend 10 hours a day in ID, and use 20 or so photos a month... so ROI is fine.

BUT if i was just a very part timer -- affinity seems like a no-brainer.

PDF is a PDF is a PDF, no matter what app makes it -- printer will take it.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2022 12:47PM by jdc.

$tevie,

I don't do anything pro level but used Adobe CS 5.5 for a long time. However, I've slowly started the process of moving to the Affinity apps. So far so good. There are interface differences and it's going to take some time to get accustomed to them Still, it's worth the switch. Saving some serious bucks and also supporting a smaller developer.

Robert

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jdc
Seems like a super smart move to me.

Ive got CC + stock, so $80 a month, but I spend 10 hours a day in ID, and use 20 or so photos a month... so ROI is fine.

BUT if i was just a very part timer -- affinity seems like a no-brainer.

PDF is a PDF is a PDF, no matter what app makes it -- printer will take it.

Yes, a PDF is a PDF... but when one needs to edit a PDF before printing, and finds out that a line of text or a graphic that appears to be a color filled object is actually a mask covering some obnoxiously large sized color box, one then begins to understand there can be profound differences.

It would be great if everything that came across my desk was ready to print, but in reality, I think about 25% to 50% of our clients just "make it look good on their monitor" and then send it along expecting us to fix it. Forget sizing, bleed, color management, image quality, ...even spelling.

CW2V

I have all of the Serif apps. They are well made and supported and the price is right. There is a learning curve as Robert M said but if you are not going to be interacting with designers using the Adobe apps and just go straight to print yourself, I think you can do anything you are used to doing with them as long as you are using the desktop versions. I think the iPad versions, like most others aren't where they need to be yet.

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JoeM

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CW2V
Yes, a PDF is a PDF...
CW2V

Well, true, but as you alluded, doesn't matter the app, you can still get crap PDFs. =)

Print designers are a dying breed?

I see 50 PDFs a day, I rarely bother to fix anymore -- thankfully I have the option to send things back. =)

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

I bought Affinity photo as I, too, wanted to get off the Adobe bus, but I have been with Photoshop since about 1990 and I found that I just didn't have the drive in me for a whole new learning curve. I caved when Adobe offered the PS/Lightroom/Camera Raw ménage a trois for $99 a year. I can handle that for the comfort in knowing I can just sit down and go to work-

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Disclaimer: This post is checked for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Any attempts at humor are solely the responsibility of the author and bear no claim that any and all readers will approve or appreciate said attempt at humor.
My name is DP, and I approve this message.

"Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime."- Lavrentiy Beria

This is all very encouraging. Thanks, all.
If I could get a deal like yours, DP, I'd do it. I'm very used to Photoshop.
Leaving InDesign doesn't feel like such a leap since I had to switch from Quark long ago so I've been there, done that.
Thanks again.

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$tevie
This is all very encouraging. Thanks, all.
If I could get a deal like yours, DP, I'd do it. I'm very used to Photoshop.
Leaving InDesign doesn't feel like such a leap since I had to switch from Quark long ago so I've been there, done that.
Thanks again.

I don't know if it still works but years ago when I was going through a rough spell I was able to upgrade and keep my Creative Suite licenses under an educational license by signing up for one online course from a community college near me. I just needed to send them a copy of my enrollment in the class from the school.

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JoeM

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$tevie
This is all very encouraging. Thanks, all.
If I could get a deal like yours, DP, I'd do it. I'm very used to Photoshop.
Leaving InDesign doesn't feel like such a leap since I had to switch from Quark long ago so I've been there, done that.
Thanks again.

Full Photoshop/LR bundle is $10 a month, $120 year. Normal price. $99 is great, but only $20 off.

Depending on the scope of your work, you could almost do everything in PShop, its text capabilities are good enough for plenty of things. Paragraph palette has space after/before and justification settings, great for blocks of text. Character has all the usuals as well. Open type support. Plus full style sheets. You could use artboards for multiple page projects. There are rudimentary guides. Im sure if you were so inclined it could be done.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Not a pro - happy with Affinity Photo and Publisher

The learning curve is annoying if one is used to Adobe, but worth it and once learned, you're good. Have had to look up a few answers and always found them.

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jdc

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$tevie
This is all very encouraging. Thanks, all.
If I could get a deal like yours, DP, I'd do it. I'm very used to Photoshop.
Leaving InDesign doesn't feel like such a leap since I had to switch from Quark long ago so I've been there, done that.
Thanks again.

Full Photoshop/LR bundle is $10 a month, $120 year. Normal price. $99 is great, but only $20 off.

Depending on the scope of your work, you could almost do everything in PShop, its text capabilities are good enough for plenty of things. Paragraph palette has space after/before and justification settings, great for blocks of text. Character has all the usuals as well. Open type support. Plus full style sheets. You could use artboards for multiple page projects. There are rudimentary guides. Im sure if you were so inclined it could be done.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm definitely not inclined. As a person who worked in a typehouse back in the day, I like a lot more control than Photoshop offers.

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