Apps for making fan-support goods: photocards, banners and fans

Designing fan-support goods takes some preparation. The most useful app depends on whether you want to make a photocard, a hand-held banner or a support fan. This guide follows the Chinese article’s 2026 update and also explains how to turn a design into a physical item.

Start with the item you want to make

Photocards

Photocards are a common first project: they are small and relatively inexpensive to print. Layout and export resolution matter most. Before designing, use the postcard and small-card size guide to set the canvas and bleed, so cutting does not remove text or borders.

For hand-drawn artwork, ibisPaint or Procreate are suitable. If you want to arrange photographs with text instead, Xingtu (醒圖), Meitu (美圖秀秀) or PicCollage can do the job. Keep the layout clean and do not cover the main subject with type. Export at a print resolution of at least 300dpi; low-resolution files look blurred when printed.

For an instant-photo style, consult the instant-photo dimensions guide so the proportions resemble the physical print.

If you do not want to install an app and only need to turn one photograph into a standard photocard, Joe’s free Fan Support photocard maker runs in a browser. Upload a photo, drag it into position and add a name or support message. It produces a 55 × 85 mm print file at 300dpi with 3 mm bleed on each side, without having to calculate the canvas yourself. Photos are processed in the browser; downloading requires a free login. The reasons for the 85 × 55 mm format and the bleed settings are explained in Photocard dimensions.

Hand-held banners and signs

These are larger items held up at events. Use large lettering, simple colours and strong contrast so they can be read at a distance. Unlike a photocard, a banner is not intended to be inspected close up; avoid cramming it with small details.

Collage apps such as PicCollage or Canva are often easier than pure drawing apps for a design made mainly of words and simple shapes. Before printing, confirm the actual dimensions and material with the printer. Thicker art paper or foam-board mounting may be used; thin paper can develop creases or reflect light when held up.

Support fans

Support fans may be folding fans or rigid round fans. Design around the ribs and handle so they do not cover important artwork. Obtain the supplier’s fan template first and fit the design to it rather than guessing the proportions.

Procreate and ibisPaint suit hand-drawn designs. PicCollage or Canva can help with photo collages and circular or fan-shaped layouts. Use a POD supplier experienced in fan printing: the shape needs special cutting, and an ordinary business-card or sticker printer may not accept it.

Drawing and collage apps: the source’s 2026 overview

Drawing

• Procreate: the main app is for iPad, purchased once rather than by subscription, and suits sustained illustration practice. The main Procreate app is available only on iPad, with no iPhone or Android version. The separate Procreate Pocket for iPhone is a lighter app with simpler functionality.
• ibisPaint: available on iOS and Android. The free version provides drawing functionality with advertisements; paid upgrades can remove ads and unlock additional brushes and materials, through an ad-removal purchase or premium membership.

Collage and photo editing

• PicCollage: an iOS/Android app developed by a Taiwanese team, focused on collages, layouts and card-style templates. Basic free functions are useful; premium templates and watermark removal require a paid subscription.
• Meitu and Xingtu: editing, photo combinations and text overlays in interfaces that beginners may find more intuitive. Free features cover many photocard needs; advanced filters and materials may require payment.
• Canva: works on the web, iOS and Android. It offers many free templates and materials. Pro assets marked with a crown may prompt an upgrade or watermark on download; choosing free assets avoids most of these restrictions.

For original illustrations, choose Procreate or ibisPaint. For quick photograph layouts, choose PicCollage, Canva or a photo-editing app. For a single-photo standard print file without installation, the browser photocard maker is another route. Most fan-support projects can be made with free functionality; payment is mainly relevant when a particular advanced template or asset is needed. These product descriptions retain the source’s 2026 review date rather than promising that pricing or features will never change.

POD and printing

The source recommends Creatify as a Taiwanese provider with a convenient online editor. See the Taiwan POD provider guide for fuller information.

Finishing a design is not the end: a printing method still has to be chosen. POD means Print on Demand—printing to order without holding stock—which suits small batches and frequently changing designs.

For a few single photocards, Taiwan’s convenience-store cloud-printing services can be faster than waiting for a supplier. Select suitable paper, such as photo paper or sticker stock. For banners needing mounting or fans needing special cutting, use a provider with the relevant production experience so the item stays flat and is less easily damaged.

Fan-support reading series

• Fan-support culture and its background.
• Common types of fan-support goods.
• Apps for making fan-support goods.
• Running a fan or support account on Instagram.
• Chinese fandom terminology.

Work backwards from the birthday

Once you have selected the tools, plan backwards from the birthday by one to two months. The Fan Support birthday calendar can be browsed by month; individual pages list alternative names and official links.