How to Add Text in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 6 min read

Mastering a new software like Procreate is similar to getting to know a new friend. It takes a little time and patience, but with each interaction, you uncover new layers of excitement and possibilities. This guide will walk you through the process of how to add text to Procreate, a digital illustration app that's become an essential tool for artists, designers, and hobbyists around the world.

1. Get Familiar with Procreate

Like any new friendship, the first step is to make sure you have Procreate on your device. Next, let's explore the app's interface together, and then we'll take a look at the tools you'll be using.

Download and Install Procreate

To start, you'll need to download Procreate from the App Store. This app is exclusive to iOS, so you'll need an iPad or iPhone. Once downloaded, launch the app to begin your digital art journey.

Explore the Interface

Now that you've got Procreate up and running, let's take a tour of the interface. It's clean, intuitive, and designed with artists in mind. On the top left, you'll see a "+" icon to start a new canvas. On the right, you'll find your painting tools—brush, eraser, and smudge. In the middle, you'll see the layers and actions menus; this is where you'll find the option to add text to your canvas.

Learn About the Tools

Procreate's tools are what make it such a powerful app for digital art. You have brushes of all types and sizes, erasers that mimic the brushes, and a smudging tool that allows for beautiful blending. And of course, the text tool—that's what we're here for, right? This tool lets you add words to your canvas, giving you yet another way to express your creativity.

2. Start a New Canvas

Alright, let's get our hands dirty. Creating a new canvas is as easy as tapping the "+" icon. Let's choose the canvas size and select the background color—think of it as setting the stage for your artwork.

Choose the Size

Tap on the "+" icon on the top left corner of the screen. A new menu will pop up with various canvas sizes. If you're just starting out, you might want to stick with the screen size option for simplicity. However, if you're planning on printing your work, choosing a higher resolution would be a wise move. Remember, it's always easier to scale down than to scale up!

Select the Background

Now, let's pick a background color. By default, Procreate gives you a white background, but don't let that limit you. Tap on the layers icon (it looks like two squares on top of each other), then tap on "Background color". A color wheel will appear—feel free to choose any color that catches your eye. Remember, you can always change it later if you need to.

3. Add Text to Your Canvas

Now that we have our canvas set up, let's get to the heart of the matter—how to add text to Procreate. This step involves locating the text tool, typing your message, and adjusting the font and size.

Find the Text Tool

Look at the top right corner of your canvas, you'll see a series of icons. The one that looks like a pen inside a square? That's your text tool. Tap on it and you'll see a box appear on your canvas. This is where your text will go. The world is your oyster now. Or should I say, your canvas is your text box?

Type Your Message

Now it's time to let your words flow. Tap inside the text box and start typing. Whether it's a profound quote, a birthday wish, or a simple "hello" to the world, make it count. And don't worry about making it perfect the first time—you can always edit it later.

Adjust the Font and Size

Once your message is down, it's time to dress it up. Tap on the "AA" icon on the bottom left of your text box. A new menu will open up, giving you options to change the font, size, and alignment of your text. Play around with different fonts and sizes until you find the one that fits your design just right. Remember, size does matter in design. But so does style!

4. Customize Your Text

Adding text to your Procreate canvas is just the beginning. Now, let's add some flair and personality to your words. We'll be focusing on how to apply colors, add effects, and move or rotate your text. Ready to jazz things up? Let's dive in.

Apply Colors

Color adds life to your text. To change the color of your text, tap on the color circle at the top right of your screen. A color wheel will appear, offering you a spectrum of colors to choose from. Feel free to experiment until you find the color that speaks to your design. Who knew adding color to text in Procreate could be such a vibrant experience?

Add Effects

Effects can give your text that extra oomph. To add an effect, select your text layer and tap on the "Adjustments" icon—it looks like a magic wand. Here, you can add shadows, glows, and blurs to your text, or even change its opacity. The key here is to have fun and let your creativity flow. Remember, sometimes, it's the little details that make a big difference.

Move and Rotate Text

Want your text to dance? With Procreate, it can! To move or rotate your text, select the "Arrow" icon at the top of your screen. Now you can drag your text around the canvas or use two fingers to rotate it. Go ahead and play around with the placement and angle of your text until it's just right. After all, who said text has to stay put?

5. Save and Export Your Work

Now that you've added and customized your text, it's time to save your masterpiece and share it with the world. This section will guide you on how to save your design and export it as an image in Procreate. Exciting, isn't it?

Save Your Design

Here's the good news: Procreate automatically saves your work as you go along, so you don't have to worry about losing your progress. However, it's still a good practice to manually save your work. To do this, tap on the "Gallery" button on the top left of your screen. Your work will be saved in your gallery, ready for you to revisit any time. Pretty neat, right?

Export as an Image

So, you're ready to show off your work? Procreate makes this easy. To export your design as an image, tap on the "Actions" icon—it looks like a wrench. Then, under the "Share" section, select "JPEG" or "PNG" based on your preference. Your design will be saved to your device's photo library, ready to be shared with the world. And just like that, you've learned how to add text to Procreate and share your creations. Doesn't that feel great?

6. Learn Advanced Techniques

In your journey with Procreate, you've come a long way. You've learned how to add text to Procreate and customize it. You've also learned how to save and export your work. But the learning doesn't stop here. Procreate is a powerful tool with many advanced techniques to explore. Ready to dive in?

Use Layers for Complex Designs

Layers are like invisible canvases stacked on top of each other, allowing you to work on different parts of your design separately. To add a new layer, tap the "Layers" icon (it looks like two squares) and then the "+" button. Remember, you can change the order of layers by dragging them up or down. You can also adjust their transparency—called "opacity"—to create interesting effects. Before you know it, you'll be creating complex designs with ease.

Apply Masks and Blends

Masks and blends are advanced techniques that can add a professional touch to your designs. A mask allows you to hide certain parts of a layer, while a blend changes how a layer interacts with the ones below it. For example, a "Multiply" blend darkens the colors, while a "Screen" blend lightens them. To try these out, select a layer and tap the "N" button for blends, or the "Mask" button for masks. Experiment with different options, and you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

And there you have it! You've not only mastered how to add text to Procreate, but you're now familiar with some advanced techniques as well. Don't stop here though. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep creating. Happy designing!

If you found our step-by-step guide on adding text in Procreate helpful and want to dive deeper into the world of digital drawing, don't miss Vicky Catalan's workshop, 'Intro to Procreate: Drawing with Digital Tools'. This workshop will provide you with the essential skills and techniques for mastering Procreate and enhancing your digital art creations.