10 Essential Paper Texture Overlays Every Designer Needs

Featuring Paper Textures by Indieground

Creative Market March 27, 2023 · 5 min read

Starting off with a blank page is a little overwhelming, whether you’re an experienced designer or a hobbyist exploring your creative side for the first time. Fonts, vector images, overlays, and other resources make it easier to get over the initial hurdle of putting something on the page.

Free paper overlays are helpful, but they don’t always have the design elements you need. Whether you need a single wall texture or a folded paper texture pack, Creative Market gives you options. Download your favorite bundle today.

What Is a Paper Texture Overlay?

Texture overlays are photos that blend seamlessly with your designs. If you want to make your design look like it’s printed on a piece of paper, then you need a paper texture overlay. Suitable for everything from wedding graphics to professional marketing materials, paper texture overlays save you time and make it easier to produce high-quality designs.

Best Paper Texture Overlays

Paper Textures by Indieground Design Inc.

Created by Indieground Design Inc., this vintage paper texture overlay bundle comes with 175 textures made to look like real paper. Using these templates, it’s easy to recreate the look of retro paper sheets on everything from posters to book covers. Each paper texture background also makes designs look more realistic, making them ideal for digital video projects. Paper Textures comes with 50 vintage paper textures, 30 glued paper textures, 15 photocopy paper textures, and 85 additional files ranging from dark paper textures to folded paper textures.

Watercolor Paper Textures by Julie Campbell

If you’re a digital artist, using watercolor paper textures is an easy way to save time and increase consistency. Designed by Julie Campbell, this bundle includes 80 files in JPG format. Each watercolor paper texture measures 12 inches by 12 inches and is compatible with Adobe Photoshop (PSD format), Affinity Designer, and other standard software packages. It’s also possible to tile and repeat the same watercolor background without distortion, making it easier to create seamless designs.

Handmade Paper Textures by Greta Ivy

Created by Greta Ivy, the Handmade Paper Textures bundle contains more than 50 files to help you save time on your design projects. These texture images are ideal for all types of designs, from digital résumés to online announcements that look like they’re printed on craft paper. This design package comes with full sheets and matching seamless tiles to give you more creative freedom.

High Res Overlay Texture Pack by NICKJAYKDESIGN

NICKJAYKDESIGN has put together a bundle of high-resolution textures that work in any photo editor. These hi-res files work well if you need a grunge paper texture to promote a local band, digital shrink wrap for creating mockups of product packaging, or templates to give your designs a weathered look. Best of all, the high-resolution files stay crisp, even when you zoom in for a close-up.

Chroma Grainy Gradient Textures by Kuro

If you’re looking for the perfect poster texture, check out Chroma Grainy Gradient Textures by kuro. The bundle comes with 50 gradients, all of which have a grainy texture effect, making it easy to mimic the look of spray paint on a white paper texture background or black paper texture background. Chroma Grainy Gradient Textures is also ideal for magazine projects, book covers, and other types of media.

Infinite Pulp 01 for Procreate by True Grit Texture Supply

Do you enjoy using a vintage style that makes it look like your design is printed on old paper? If so, this old paper bundle by True Grit Texture Supply is the perfect pick. The bundle comes with 20 seamless paper textures designed specifically for Procreate. Each template has multiple layers to give your designs extra dimension. The files can also be tiled, making Infinite Pulp 01 extremely versatile.

Construction Paper Texture Pack by Turncoat Studio

When you think of an old paper texture, what comes to mind? For many designers, it’s the colorful construction paper that first sparked their interest in the arts. Construction Paper Texture Pack comes with 23 high-resolution textures in a rainbow of colors, plus three black-and-white PNG textures. Each old paper background measures 4,500 x 6,000 pixels and works with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and other software packages.

Paper Paper Paper – Textures Filters by Veris Studio

With the Paper Paper Paper bundle, Veris Studio brings you a variety of paper texture overlays in earth tones. Ideal for everything from homemade crafts to mobile apps, the bundle even includes a brown paper sheet, making it easier to deviate from traditional black-and-white backgrounds. The overlays work especially well for digital scrapbooks, as the subtle cardboard texture won’t clash with your favorite photos.

Vintage Grit Textures by GhostlyPixels

Designed by GhostlyPixels, the Vintage Grit Textures bundle contains 12 full-page textures with a vintage feel. No matter what type of texture you need, each file provides the perfect backdrop for your favorite text effect or logo. The rough paper texture is ideal for vintage posters and signage.

Magic Paper for Procreate by Bardot Brush

If you love to work in Procreate, download Magic Paper, which comes with 25 canvases and 10 brushes. Each canvas texture provides a high-quality foundation for all your design projects, whether you’re into experimenting with watercolors or illustrating children’s books. The Magic Paper bundle allows you to harness the power of Procreate at an affordable price.

Download Paper Texture Overlays

Creative Market has thousands of fonts, graphics, and templates to help you make the most of your favorite graphic design tools. Find the perfect texture for any project only on Creative Market. You can also unlock free paper textures and more design assets worth up to $1,000 every month with your Membership — join today! We occasionally offer pricing discounts on some of our most popular bundles, making it even easier to make your mark in the design world.