What it does
LazPaint combines raster painting with editable vector shapes and text. Its layers, selections and colour adjustments support illustrated graphics and image editing.
Build a label's border and lettering as vector objects, then add painted texture on a separate raster layer. A pixel brush used on the vector layer converts its shapes into pixels, removing their individual editable properties.
Selections behave as temporary layers. Edit Selection displays a grayscale mask: white selects fully, black excludes and gray selects partly. Refine that mask before applying a local colour change or moving part of the illustration. Press Enter to merge the selection back into the current layer.
Save work in progress as LZP to preserve layers and transparency. OpenRaster provides a layered exchange format; PNG or JPEG provides a finished image. Flattening discards hidden layers, so retain the working file when later changes are likely.
LazPaint is free GPL software, with Windows, Linux and Mac downloads.
Strengths
- Text and shapes can stay editable alongside painted layers
- Selection masks allow partial coverage at an edge
Watch out for
- Painting directly on a vector layer removes its editable shape properties
Best for
- Graphics that combine lettering, shapes and painted texture
Sources
- LazPaint downloads (Oct 27, 2026)
- LazPaint drawing, selection and layer documentation (Oct 27, 2026)
- LazPaint official repository, recovered capture (Oct 27, 2026)