Cyberpunk Style Dithering
Cyberpunk is a high-effort, high-reward visual style to attempt, and while dithering CAN help, it is important to have good source material before you run through a dithering algorithm.
Dither Boy can't solve the input problem for you, but it can certainly help with final touches. This blog post is going to be a nice infodump for all things Cyberpunk from my own bookmarks, moodboards, my own work - AND 77 palettes for Dither Boy.
Artwork by Jack McArdle & Abel Emmanuel
Free Palettes for your Dithering
Cyberpunk inspired palettes for your Dithering, with a few easter eggs and references to some of my fav Cyberpunk art.
If you need a refresh on installing palettes to Dither Boy, you can see how it works below.
Cyberpunk Stock Images, Fonts, References and Artists for your work
I'm going to list some of my top references and resources for creating Cyberpunk visuals, but: my number one recommendation for getting into Cyberpunk visuals is play Cyberpunk 2077 and, if you can, get ahold of the digital edition of the Collector's Artbook (or physical if you can brave ebay) because it outlines their exact approach/creative direction/recipe for their own version of Cyberpunk in a really interesting way. I luckily have the physical book but last time i checked, you can sign in with Steam or whatever to get ahold of the digital version here:
You could also watch classics like Bladerunner or Akira! But my recency bias and the graphical fidelity and story in Cyberpunk 2077 makes me want to tell you that you don't need to bother with anything other than Cyberpunk 2077. Owning the Cyberpunk Artbook prompted me to create this video, which completely flopped:
Resources for your own work:
As a lil disclaimer, please make sure you appropriately license anything that you might find below via the original creators of the image, font, or whatever else!
Cyberpunk style fonts:
- Future by Manuel Ramos
- Almost all of the Maelstrom Studios fonts
- Monowire by Matt Wilson
- Matt Wilson's other fonts on Dafont
- One of my fav font makers, and probably the weirdest place i've ever found fonts in terms of format and delivery, but it kind of adds to the magic: HIDE Productions.
- Pleiadian by Manuel Ramos
- Zypher / Cyber2k by imadvm (friend of Studio AAA)
Cyberpunk style stock:
Cyberpunk is notably harder to find public domain imagery of in comparison to something like Medieval artwork because obviously it is less of an era and more of a genre. Here are some Cyberpunk style Photography and Stock Assets you could use though:
- Nick Fancher via Unsplash
- Adam Neumann via Unsplash
- Lots and lots more Cyberpunk images by various photographers on Pexels, which is also a free stock image site
- Not stock imagery, but: Neon signs in Yau Tsim Mong District via Wikimedia Commons
- OONA 13 Archive - There are exactly ZERO Cyberpunk references on this site, but there is lots of sci-fi and that is kinda the cyber half of cyberpunk (sometimes)
Artwork by Jack McArdle & Sheida Assa
"Scanner Cat" Artwork by Studio AAA
If you like indie software free updates regular tutorials retro effects advanced dithering then meet Dither Boy!
Dither Boy
Original price was: £60.00.£45.00Current price is: £45.00.Dither Boy is all-in-one software for authentic retro image, video, and animation dithering. Featuring 63 unique dithering algorithms, a stackable effects pipeline, and full color support, Dither Boy gives you unrestricted access to advanced creative error diffusion, bitmap, halftone, and modulation effects like never before!
Dither Boy is designed to turn any dithering algorithm from a functional compression tool into a granular, editable, malleable effect.
Completely crush your image detail without losing resolution, or create fine and delicate dithering patterns in your work without compromising on style.
- Dither your work at any scale without losing your image quality
- Full color support with built-in palettes, automatic palette extraction from your images, or download and share user created palettes
- Video and animation support built in, with a timeline editor and live preview
- Work with 63 dithering algorithms, all animation and vector compatible, including custom algorithms you won’t find anywhere else
- Stack and reorder effects like Epsilon Glow, JPEG Glitch, Chromatic Aberration, and more
- Effects designed and created specifically for Dither Boy
- One purchase includes all future updates, no subscription required
- Export black vectors for print and embroidery files
- NEW: CMYK Halftone added in update version 6.0!
True to the visual era it was inspired by, Dither Boy requires no recurring subscription, and all future updates will be included in your purchase at no extra cost.
We have already completed an entire year of free updates in 2025!
