Impact CAD vs Print CAD
Impact CAD
ardensoftware.com
Print CAD
printnow.comSide by side
| Figure | Impact CAD | Print CAD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $495/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Packaging Design Software | 7.9 (#9) | 7.5 (#18) |
| Founded | 1988 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Arden Software lists its UK head office in Marple, Stockport, United Kingdom. | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States |
| Integrations | Impact CAD 2026 is listed as compatible with WEBcnx, TOPS, Bobst PowerPack and the Adobe Illustrator plug-in, subject to specified version requirements. | The pricing page lists imports from ArtiosCAD and Engview, and enterprise API integrations with systems including Esko Automation Engine, Enfocus Switch, and HP Siteflow. |
| Purpose | Impact is packaging design CAD software for structural design, soft proofing packaging and displays, and manufacturing workflows. | Print CAD is packaging CAD software for structural design of folded packaging, including corrugated boxes, folding cartons, flexible packaging, and labels. |
| Support | Arden offers online technical support, 24/7 self-help resources, telephone support, remote troubleshooting and on-site visits. | The pricing page lists support response targets of 8 hours for Starter, 1–8 hours for Growth, and 15 minutes–4 hours for Enterprise. |
Plans
In their own words
Impact CAD
Impact CAD is Arden Software’s packaging design system for structural work, proofing and manufacturing workflows. It covers 2D drafting through 3D visualisation and animation, with interactive drawing, reusable parametric and resizable packaging designs, drag-and-drop components, layout and nesting, graphics handling, dieline editing and import, and preflight checks. Designers can create virtual 3D samples and animated prototypes for customer review, then produce physical samples through compatible plotters and sample makers. The software imports and exports formats including PDF, Adobe Illustrator, DWG and DXF. Impact 2026 adds machine-learning Design Similarity for ranking related designs and manufacturing layouts, native Python scripting, and 629 standards plus more than 1,000 combinations in its V120 Standards Library. It supports SQL Server and Oracle for 2026; MySQL is no longer supported. Windows 11 is recommended. Pricing is on request, and Arden offers a free demo request.