Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint, developed by Japan's CELSYS, Inc., is a cross-platform digital illustration, manga, and animation software sold via perpetual licenses, subscriptions, and volume licensing to professional and hobbyist artists globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersShinjuku, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Clip Studio Paint does
Clip Studio Paint is a proprietary digital art creation suite developed by CELSYS, Inc., a privately-held Japanese corporation headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, with 51-100 employees and CEO Narushima Kei. The software targets professional and hobbyist illustrators, manga/comic creators, webtoon artists, and animators, and is differentiated by domain-specialized tooling for manga production (panel frames, speech bubbles, screentones, multi-page management) and frame-by-frame animation (light table, onion-skin, vector-based 4K animation). Its technical foundation combines vector layer technology with 3D pose-reference models, and the product is distributed across Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, Samsung Galaxy, and Chromebook in over 10 languages.
The platform spans more than the core paint application: it includes a community marketplace (CLIP STUDIO ASSETS) hosting over 100,000 user-generated materials and 40,000+ brushes, official learning resources (CLIP STUDIO TIPS, Art Rocket), a Q&A community (CLIP STUDIO ASK), a creator certification program, hardware accessories (TABMATE, TABMATE 2), and 10GB of integrated cloud storage. CELSYS monetizes through a hybrid model — one-time perpetual licenses (PRO at 6,900 JPY, EX at 28,900 JPY), monthly/annual subscriptions (PRO from 100 JPY/month, EX from 300 JPY/month), enterprise and education volume licensing, an in-app CLIPPY virtual currency for marketplace transactions, and an affiliate program via CJ Affiliate offering up to 50% commission. Go-to-market is product-led and community-led, supported by an official expert evangelist program, regular international illustration contests, regional pricing in markets such as China, Taiwan, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand, and confirmed enterprise adoption by Marvel Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, The Pokemon Company, WEBTOON Entertainment, and Behaviour Interactive. The product was recognized as Google Play Best of 2024 in the Tablet Category, and Version 5.0 was released in 2025.
Clip Studio Paint firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clip Studio Paint
- Legal name
- CELSYS, Inc.
- Website
- https://clipstudio.net
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Clip Studio Paint, developed by Japan's CELSYS, Inc., is a cross-platform digital illustration, manga, and animation software sold via perpetual licenses, subscriptions, and volume licensing to professional and hobbyist artists globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clip Studio Paint industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Illustration Software
- NAICS
- Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 2D Character Animation (MPAHACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Look Development, Shading & Lighting (Animation) (MPAHACAI)
Keywords
Where Clip Studio Paint is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shinjuku
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Clip Studio Paint business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Perpetual License (One-time Purchase): One-time purchase license for Windows/macOS with no recurring fees. PRO version at 6,900 JPY (tax included), EX version at 28,900 JPY (tax included). Once purchased, version 5.0 can be used indefinitely.
- Subscription Plans (Monthly/Annual): Monthly and annual subscription plans. PRO from 100 JPY/month, EX from 300 JPY/month. Subscription includes 10GB cloud storage, monthly free official materials downloads, and unlimited CLIPPY usage during subscription. EX subscribers also receive I-C SCREEN Digital materials monthly.
- Volume Licensing: Enterprise and educational institution licenses for 5+ users. Allows use on up to 2 devices per person for office and home use. Includes latest features.
- CLIPPY Points (Digital Currency): Points earned through community engagement and promotional activities that can be used to purchase materials in the Clip Studio Assets marketplace.
- Affiliate Commission: Commission earned through the affiliate program (CJ Affiliate) - 25% for one-time license sales, 25-50% for monthly plans, 7% during promotional sales. Up to 50% share for affiliates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | PRO - Standard version for illustration and artwork |
| Subscription | Monthly | EX - Premium version for comics, manga, and professional animation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Simplified Chinese pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Brazilian Portuguese pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Indonesian pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Thai pricing |
| Subscription | Annual | Volume License for Education and Enterprise |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Clip Studio Paint product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clip Studio Paint is a proprietary digital art application developed by CELSYS, Inc. that enables illustration, manga/comic creation, webtoon production, and frame-by-frame animation. The software is offered in two tiers (PRO for illustration and EX for professional manga and animation) via one-time perpetual license, monthly/annual subscription, and enterprise volume licensing across Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, Galaxy, and Chromebook. The product suite also includes the TABMATE and TABMATE 2 hardware accessories for digital drawing input.
Product overview
Clip Studio Paint is a comprehensive digital art creation suite offered primarily as two product tiers: CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO (standard version for illustration and artwork) and CLIP STUDIO PAINT EX (premium version for professional manga and animation production). The portfolio includes hardware accessories (CLIP STUDIO TABMATE 2 and CLIP STUDIO TABMATE), community and marketplace platforms (CLIP STUDIO ASSETS, CLIP STUDIO START), educational resources (CLIP STUDIO TIPS, Art Rocket), a Q&A community (CLIP STUDIO ASK), creator certification program (CLIP STUDIO PAINT Creator Certification), and cloud storage services. Available through one-time purchase, monthly/annual subscriptions, and enterprise volume licensing. The software supports Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, Galaxy, and Chromebook platforms with over 100,000 brushes and materials available through its integrated marketplace.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CLIP STUDIO PAINT Professional digital art application for illustration, manga, comics, webtoons, and animation. Available in PRO and EX tiers across Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, Galaxy, and Chromebook platforms via one-time purchase, monthly/annual subscription, and enterprise volume licensing.
- CLIP STUDIO TABMATE 2 Input device that supports comfortable creation on any device, compatible with iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, and macOS. Offered at preferential price of 9,900 JPY (regular price 12,800 JPY).
- CLIP STUDIO TABMATE Pen tablet accessory for more comfortable drawing operations on Windows, macOS, and Android devices.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100,000+ free materials available for immediate use
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Clip Studio Paint
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Clip Studio Paint technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature11 records
Clip Studio Paint partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Marvel StudiosflagshipMarvel Studios uses Clip Studio Paint for animation production in the United States. This represents enterprise-level adoption of the software for professional commercial animation work.
- The Pokemon Company InternationalflagshipThe Pokemon Company International uses Clip Studio Paint for game development work in the United States, utilizing the software for character and asset creation.
- Warner Bros. AnimationflagshipWarner Bros. Animation uses Clip Studio Paint for professional animation production in the United States.
- WEBTOON Entertainment IncflagshipWEBTOON Entertainment uses Clip Studio Paint for webtoon creation in the United States. The software is recognized as ideal for webtoon production with excellent organization tools.
- Boston UniversitycoreBoston University's College of Fine Arts uses Clip Studio Paint for digital art education in the United States.
- School of Visual Arts (SVA)coreSchool of Visual Arts uses Clip Studio Paint for art education programs in the United States.
- Hongik UniversitycoreHongik University in South Korea uses Clip Studio Paint for digital art education, particularly in their renowned illustration and comic programs.
- Tecnológico de MonterreycoreTecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico uses Clip Studio Paint for digital art education.
- Behaviour InteractiveminorBehaviour Interactive uses Clip Studio Paint for game development in Canada, utilizing the software for character and asset creation.
- Cyber Group StudiosminorCyber Group Studios uses Clip Studio Paint for animation production in France.
- RIDIBOOKSminorRIDIBOOKS webtoon studio in South Korea uses Clip Studio Paint for webtoon content creation.
- Pratt InstitutecorePratt Institute in the United States uses Clip Studio Paint for digital art and design education.
- Rayark International LimitedminorRayark International Limited (Taiwan) uses Clip Studio Paint for game development, particularly for character and visual asset creation.
- RED DOG CULTURE HOUSEminorRED DOG CULTURE HOUSE in South Korea uses Clip Studio Paint for animation and webtoon production.
- Teesside UniversityminorTeesside University in England uses Clip Studio Paint for digital art education.
- De Montfort UniversityminorDe Montfort University in England uses Clip Studio Paint for digital art education.
- MJM GRAPHIC DESIGN PARISminorMJM GRAPHIC DESIGN PARIS in France uses Clip Studio Paint for graphic design education.
- Zen ProductionminorZen Production in Malaysia uses Clip Studio Paint for professional animation production.
- ANIMONSTA STUDIOS SDN BHDminorANIMONSTA STUDIOS in Malaysia uses Clip Studio Paint for professional animation production.
- CJ Affiliate (Affiliate Program)coreCJ Affiliate network powers the Clip Studio Paint affiliate program, enabling content creators to earn commissions by referring customers. Commission rates up to 50% for sales through affiliate links.
- Samsung GalaxycoreSpecial Galaxy-optimized version of Clip Studio Paint available through Samsung Galaxy Store, featuring 'Create with Galaxy' branding and promotional campaigns.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clip Studio Paint competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Adobe: Adobe offers Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fresco for digital illustration and animation. It is the dominant incumbent creative software suite and competes with Clip Studio Paint across professional illustration, painting, and increasingly in animation workflows.
- Corel Painter: Corel Painter is an established natural-media digital painting application used by professional illustrators and concept artists. It overlaps with Clip Studio Paint on illustration workflows as part of a broader creative software portfolio owned by Alludo.
Direct peers
- Procreate: Procreate is a leading digital illustration app for iPad with strong brush engine and is widely used by illustrators. It directly competes with Clip Studio Paint PRO on illustration workflows, particularly among professional and prosumer artists.
- Krita: Krita is an open-source digital painting application popular with concept artists, illustrators, and comic creators. It directly competes with Clip Studio Paint in the illustration and comic creation space, primarily on price-sensitive users.
- Affinity (Serif): Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo provide vector and raster illustration capabilities as a lower-cost alternative to Adobe. They overlap with Clip Studio Paint on illustration and design workflows, particularly for design-oriented professionals.
- MediBang Paint: MediBang Paint is a free digital painting and comic creation tool with strong manga/comic features. It directly competes with Clip Studio Paint in the manga and comic creation space, especially among hobbyist and student users.
- PaintTool SAI: PaintTool SAI is a lightweight, low-cost digital painting application particularly popular among anime and manga-style illustrators. It directly competes with Clip Studio Paint on core painting workflows for individual artists.
- Autodesk Sketchbook: Autodesk Sketchbook is a drawing and sketching application with cross-platform support. It competes with Clip Studio Paint on illustration and sketching workflows, particularly among concept artists and designers.
- Toon Boom Harmony: Toon Boom Harmony is a professional 2D animation production tool used across the animation industry. It directly competes with Clip Studio Paint's animation features for professional animation studios and educational institutions.
Emerging players
- Rebelle: Rebelle is a realistic digital painting software specializing in watercolor and traditional media simulation. It overlaps with Clip Studio Paint's natural-media brush capabilities but focuses on a narrower audience of fine artists and illustrators.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Clip Studio Paint social profiles
Digital presenceClip Studio Paint financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clip Studio Paint leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Clip Studio Paint funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clip Studio Paint M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clip Studio Paint
What does Clip Studio Paint do?
Clip Studio Paint is a proprietary digital art application developed by CELSYS, Inc. that enables illustration, manga/comic creation, webtoon production, and frame-by-frame animation. The software is offered in two tiers (PRO for illustration and EX for professional manga and animation) via one-time perpetual license, monthly/annual subscription, and enterprise volume licensing across Windows, macOS, iPad, iPhone, Android, Galaxy, and Chromebook. The product suite also includes the TABMATE and TABMATE 2 hardware accessories for digital drawing input.
Is Clip Studio Paint a public or private company?
Clip Studio Paint is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Clip Studio Paint founded?
Clip Studio Paint was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Clip Studio Paint based?
Clip Studio Paint is headquartered in Shinjuku, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Clip Studio Paint make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Perpetual License (One-time Purchase) is the primary driver. The others are subscription Plans (Monthly/Annual), volume Licensing, CLIPPY Points (Digital Currency) and affiliate Commission.
Who are Clip Studio Paint's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Adobe and Corel Painter. Direct peers are Procreate, Krita, Affinity (Serif), MediBang Paint, PaintTool SAI, Autodesk Sketchbook and Toon Boom Harmony. Rebelle is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clip Studio Paint have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clip Studio Paint.
What industry is Clip Studio Paint in?
Clip Studio Paint's product category is Digital Illustration Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHACAA, 2D Character Animation, with a secondary code of MPAHACAI, Look Development, Shading & Lighting (Animation). Its NAICS code is 51219 and its SIC code is 7330.