Procreate Tips: Canvas Templates, Layer Tools & Export Settings
So you want to start creating with Procreate - I’m so excited for you! Procreate is such a fun app with so much potential, and whether you are a seasoned artist or an absolute beginner, there is space to grow, learn, and find your artistic style with Procreate.
However, before you create your first masterpieces, there are a couple of basic things that you should know about Procreate and how to set yourself (and your artwork) up for success with it. In this beginner's guide, I’m going to be breaking down my top tips for three key stages of your Procreate creative journey: setting up your canvases, utilising layers, and exporting your final artwork, so that you can master the foundations of the app and begin creating with confidence.
Setting Up Canvas Templates
Procreate will come with a preloaded set of canvas templates when you download the app; to view and use your canvas templates, tap the ‘+’ in the top right of your gallery. However, I actually recommend you delete the preloaded templates (swipe right on any template to find the delete option) and create your own templates to fit your creative needs and projects.
Tap the black rectangle with the ‘+’ to the right of ‘new canvas’ in the canvas templates menu to open the custom canvas studio.
Input your desired dimensions using whichever unit of measurement you or your client needs. For example, if you wish to create a canvas for Instagram posts, set the dimensions to pixels and the size to 1080px by 1530px.
Adjust the DPI (dots per inch) to meet your needs. Most creative projects have a DPI of 300-600. The higher your DPI, the higher the resolution of your canvas.
On the left of the custom canvas tools, select ‘color profile’ and choose from RGB or CMYK. If you are unsure which color profile to use, ask yourself if the project or artwork you are working on will be for digital use or for print? If it will be a digital image only (e.g., a piece of social content or a YouTube thumbnail), select RGB. If you intend to have it printed, select CMYK.
Tap ‘untitled canvas’ at the top of the screen to edit the canvas template title and then tap ‘save’ to open your new canvas and begin creating. Once you save your new canvas, you will also be able to find it in the canvas template library every time you tap the ‘+’ to start a new project.
Layer Tools & Top Tips
If I could go back to my past self when I was starting to learn Procreate and give her one piece of advice, it would be this: put everything on separate layers. Do not make the mistake I see so many beginners make (and that I made myself) by keeping all your artwork on a single layer. Here are some of my top tips for using and getting the most out of layers in your artwork:
Double tap on a layer to open the layer options menu. Here you can rename your layers, copy layers, invert colors and so much more.
Use clipping mask layers to create color changes or add details to layers underneath.
To select multiple layers, swipe left on each additional layer you would like to select. With multiple layers selected, you can bulk delete layers or create groups.
To rearrange the order of your layers, press and hold on any layer or group and then drag and drop it to the order you want.
Tap on settings>canvas to turn on page assist. This turns each layer or group of layers into a page on your canvas.
Tap on settings>canvas to toggle on animation assist. Now each layer or group of layers becomes a frame in an animation that you can download as a video or GIF.
Exporting Your Artwork
To save your finished artwork tap settings>share to open the share options; however which file type is right for you?
Share Image
Share image will save your artwork in your desired file format as it currently appears on your canvas.
Your artwork will be exported as a single file or single flat image if you select PDF, JPEG or PNG.
To share your artwork with other Procreate users or to create a backup file of your artwork on an external drive, select the ‘Procreate’ file format.
To export a layered version of your artwork for use with Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, select ‘PSD.’
Share Layers
The share layer options will allow you to export multiple layers and files at once depending on the format you choose.
PDF: this will export each layer or group of layers in your artwork as a page in a PDF. You will get a single PDF file with multiple pages. This is great if you have page assist turned on.
PNG Files: this will bulk export your layers and/groups as individual PNG files.
Animated GIF/MP4/PNG: use this option with the animation assist tool to export your layers as an animated file.
watch the video tutorial
In this Procreate tutorial, I'm sharing essential tips tailored for creative beginners like you. Join me as I guide you through setting up custom canvas templates, mastering layer tools, and optimising your artwork export process.
