In our last Graphics column the question was what an image model learned from. This week the news is about where the work happens and how it is presented to buyers. Affinity opened pre-orders for a free iPad version of its combined design app, Etsy tightened its rules on AI in listings, and Figma, Runway and Adobe shipped smaller updates that change how visual tools are built and shared.
For musicians and labels who commission covers, merch art and promotional visuals, two of these items matter directly: a professional layout and vector tool is about to become free on a tablet, and one of the largest marketplaces for handmade goods now asks sellers to show the real object.
Affinity heads to iPad
On October 26, Affinity announced pre-orders for Affinity for iPad, about a year after Canva released the redesigned desktop app for Mac and Windows. The App Store listing gives an expected release date of November 3, 2026, and Thurrott confirmed that the pre-order only queues the download: the app itself is free.
What the listing describes
According to Canva's App Store description, the iPad app brings the same combined approach as the desktop version into one file:
- Sketch to vector: drawing in Sketch Studio, then switching to Vector Studio to build curves and nodes over the sketch.
- Photo editing: non-destructive edits, RAW development, selections and retouching.
- Layout: grids, guides and type for print-ready output, which the listing says scales to 500-page books.
- File import: PSD, AI, INDD, IDML, PDF and SVG, with layers and structure preserved.
- Pencil input: pressure, tilt and barrel roll.
These are vendor descriptions; independent reviews will only be possible after release. The listing requires iPadOS 18.0 or later and shows a download size of 1.9 GB.
Free core, paid AI
The core photo, vector, layout and sketching tools are free for individuals. The Canva AI Studio features, which the listing describes as clearing grain, fixing blur and cutting out backgrounds, require a Canva premium plan. The US in-app purchase list shows Canva Pro at $18.00 per month or $143.99 per year.
One practical point from Digital Trends: files made in the new Affinity app cannot be opened in the older V2 iPad apps. Anyone moving a project between a desktop and an iPad should plan on using the new app on both.
Etsy asks for the real object
On October 22 Etsy published updated rules on AI use for sellers. As summarised by Retail Dive:
- One real photo: most listings must include at least one unedited photo of the product against a real background.
- No AI guides: patterns, recipes and instructions can no longer be AI-generated and must show a real result made with the guide.
- No bot listings: listings generated by bots are not allowed and will be removed.
- Refund exposure: buyers who open a case because an item is materially different may receive a refund from the seller if the listing did not meet the image requirements.
The listing form now flags images that Etsy detects may use AI, and the company says it is investing in detection and removal tools. AI-generated art remains allowed if it is disclosed. Creative Bloq welcomed the rules but asked why a handmade marketplace needed them at all.
For artists selling prints, shirts or tour posters through Etsy, the change is mostly about documentation: a photo of the physical print or garment is now required, and mockups alone will not be enough.
Smaller updates worth knowing
Figma
Two entries in Figma's release notes extend the agent work covered in earlier columns. From October 26, the image and video models in Figma Weave, including Seedance, Kling and Nano Banana, can be called from an external AI agent through the Figma MCP, using Weave credits. From October 27, editing a generative plugin or shader creates a new version that can be restored, with an agent-written change description.
Runway
On October 26 Runway launched App Studio, which builds small custom apps from a plain-language description or an existing workflow. Apps can use a team's Brand Kits and references, can be shared inside a workspace or by public link, and run on Runway credits; visitors to a public app pay for their own generations. It is included in all paid plans.
Substance 3D Painter 12.2
Adobe's Substance 3D Painter 12.2, announced to the community on October 26, adds cage painting for baking, polygon loop selection in Polygon Fill, a texture set highlighter and an order-independent transparency option. None of these are generative features; they target everyday baking and texturing work.
Dates to watch
Source: Etsy via Retail Dive, Digital Trends, App Store listing, Figma release notes, Runway, Adobe Community, Adobe MAX.
Adobe MAX runs November 10 to 12, a week after the Affinity release, so both a free tablet tool and the next round of Adobe updates arrive within ten days. For a band or label, a sensible approach before then:
- test the iPad app on a real job, such as a single cover variant, before moving a full campaign;
- keep at least one photo of every physical item you sell, whatever the platform requires;
- read the credit terms before connecting agents or shared apps to paid image models.