What are digital papers? (2026)

As a digital paper creator, I'm used to people saying "Huh?" when I tell them what I make and sell. In this post I'll explain what digital papers actually are, how they're made, where to find them, and how you can use them in your own creative projects or business.

If you're new here, I'm a neurodivergent creative who writes about digital design, making money from hobbies, and building a business that works for your brain. Welcome!

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The colorful background is a digital paper I made in Photoshop, it's inspired by snake skin!

What Are Digital Papers Exactly?

Digital papers, also known as textures, are electronic files (usually JPGs or PNGs) with designs, textures, or patterns on them. They're used in digital art, graphic design, crafting, and digital products of all kinds. Want to add some visual interest to your website, make nicer Instagram graphics, or start designing digital planners? Digital papers are one of the easiest ways to do that.

How Are Digital Papers Made?

As a digital paper creator myself, my process involves using different painting techniques, layering, and mixing digital media with photos of real textured surfaces to create backgrounds. My finished designs are then exported as high-resolution files that people can download and use in their own projects.

I personally love vibrant colors, glitter, holographic, metallic, and shiny plastic surfaces, so that's what you'll see a lot of in my digital paper bundle. But digital papers can be anything from realistic watercolor textures to geometric patterns, it really depends on the creator's style.

What Are Digital Papers Used For?

Digital papers are useful for basically anything where you need a nice background or textured element. Think social media graphics, e-book covers, digital planner backgrounds, invitations, customer booklets, or digital scrapbooking. They can even work as desktop backgrounds if you find one you love enough!

Where to Find Digital Papers

The easiest places to find digital papers are platforms like Creative Fabrica and Creative Market, which both have large collections in all kinds of styles and themes.

I also have my own product called The Digital Paper Library, which is designed for color lovers who want a pay-once, lifetime commercial license without any recurring costs or limits on how many products you can make with them. No subscription needed, just buy it once and use it forever.

I made it because I think licensing through Creative Market is super expensive, and Creative Fabrica only grants you commercial usage rights as long as you are a member.

The Importance of a Commercial License

If you want to use digital papers to create products you sell, the licensing matters a lot. Many creators offer commercial licenses that give you the right to use their digital papers in items for resale, like digital downloads or printables.

Always check the licensing terms before buying, especially on platforms like Etsy where some sellers only allow personal use, or limited commercial use that covers physical products but not digital ones (or the other way around). It varies a lot between sellers, so it's worth double checking every time.

Want to make your own digital papers?

Books that inspire my digital paper designs

If you want to make your own digital papers, studying color, pattern, and texture in the real world is one of the best things you can do. These are the kinds of books I'd reach for for visual inspiration:

📖 Patterns of Portugal by Christine Chitnis is a stunning coffee table book full of color photography documenting the tiles, architecture, and patterns of Portugal. If you love bold, decorative design, this one will give you ideas for days. Click to see the preview on Amazon.

📖 The Pigment Trail by Debra Luker is part travel journal, part artist's sketchbook, documenting the colors, textures, and surfaces of Rajasthan, India. Every spread is layered with color and detail. A great one to flip through when you're feeling creatively stuck. Click to see the preview on Amazon.

Still have questions about digital papers?

If you want to dig a little deeper, check out my post on what a digital texture is. Digital papers and textures are often used interchangeably, but that post goes into a bit more detail.

And if you have questions I haven't answered here, drop them in the comments! I'm happy to help.