How to Copy and Paste in Procreate: 6 Easy Steps

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 6 min read

Learning how to paste in Procreate can be a game-changer for your digital art projects. In this blog, we'll guide you through six easy steps to help you copy and paste elements within Procreate, allowing you to work quicker and smarter. Let's dive right into the first step: selecting your artwork.

Step 1: Select Your Artwork

Before you can copy and paste in Procreate, you need to select the part of your artwork you want to duplicate. To do this, you'll use Procreate's Selection Tool, which offers two main methods: Freehand and Automatic.

Using the Selection Tool

Here's how to use the Selection Tool:

Tap on the "S" icon located at the top-left corner of your screen.
Choose either the Freehand or Automatic option.
Select the area you want to copy by drawing around it (for Freehand) or tapping within it (for Automatic).
Once your selection is complete, you'll see a dashed line surrounding the area.

Choosing Between Freehand and Automatic

Deciding whether to use the Freehand or Automatic selection method depends on the type of artwork you're working with:

Freehand: Ideal for irregular shapes or complex designs, the Freehand option allows you to manually draw your selection around the desired area.
Automatic: Best for simple shapes or isolated elements, the Automatic option selects an area based on color similarity, making it easy to copy elements with consistent colors.

Now that you've selected your artwork, it's time to learn how to paste in Procreate by copying your selection.

Step 2: Copy Your Selection

Once you have selected the artwork you want to duplicate, the next step is to copy it. Procreate makes this process straightforward with the Copy button, but there are alternative methods as well.

Using the Copy Button

After creating your selection, follow these simple steps to copy it:

Tap on the "Actions" menu (the wrench icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select "Add" from the dropdown menu.
Tap on "Copy" to copy your selection.

Your selected artwork is now copied and ready to be pasted into a new layer.

Alternative Methods to Copy

If you prefer a quicker method to copy your selection, you can also use a shortcut:

Three-finger swipe down: Swipe down with three fingers on your screen to open the "Cut, Copy, Paste" menu, then tap on "Copy" to copy your selection.

With your artwork now copied, let's move on to creating a new layer where you'll paste your selection.

Step 3: Create a New Layer

Creating a new layer for your copied artwork is an essential step. It allows you to work independently of the original artwork, making it easier to move, scale, and edit your pasted element without affecting the original.

Adding Layers in Procreate

Follow these simple steps to create a new layer in Procreate:

Tap on the "Layers" menu (the two overlapping squares) in the top-right corner of your screen.
Tap on the "+" icon at the top-right corner of the layers panel to add a new layer.

Now you have a new layer ready for pasting your copied artwork.

Naming and Organizing Layers

To keep your work organized, it's a good idea to name and organize your layers. Here's how you can do it:

Tap and hold on the new layer you just created.
Select "Rename" from the dropdown menu.
Type in an appropriate name for the layer and tap "Done."

By naming your layers, you'll be able to identify them quickly, making it easier to navigate through your artwork as you learn how to paste in Procreate.

Step 4: Paste Your Selection

Now that you have a new layer, it's time to paste your copied artwork onto it. Let's go through the process of pasting and adjusting the pasted element.

Using the Paste Button

Pasting your selection in Procreate is quite simple. Follow these steps:

Make sure you have the new layer selected.
Tap on the "Actions" menu (the wrench icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.
Tap on "Add" in the dropdown menu.
Select "Paste" to paste your copied artwork onto the new layer.

Your copied artwork should now appear on the new layer.

Adjusting the Pasted Element

After pasting your artwork, you may need to adjust its position, size, or rotation. To do this, you'll use the Transform tool, which we'll cover in more detail in the next step. For now, here's a quick overview:

Tap on the "Transform" tool (the arrow icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.
Use your fingers to move, scale, or rotate the pasted artwork as needed.
Tap on the "Transform" tool again to confirm your changes.

Now that your pasted element is in place, you can move on to the next step to fine-tune your adjustments.

Step 5: Transform and Move

You've successfully pasted your artwork onto a new layer, but you might want to make further adjustments to perfect its placement. This step will help you master the Transform tool to resize, rotate, and move your pasted artwork like a pro.

Using the Transform Tool

The Transform tool in Procreate is incredibly versatile and easy to use. Here's how to access and utilize it:

Make sure the layer with your pasted artwork is selected.
Tap on the "Transform" tool (the arrow icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.
Now you can move, scale, or rotate your pasted element using the various options available.
Once you're satisfied with the adjustments, tap on the "Transform" tool again to confirm your changes.

Resizing and Rotating Elements

When using the Transform tool, you'll notice several options for resizing and rotating your pasted artwork. Here's a quick rundown of how each one works:

Move: Simply drag your finger or stylus across the screen to reposition your artwork.
Scale: Pinch or spread two fingers on the screen to resize your artwork proportionally.
Rotate: Place two fingers on the screen and rotate them clockwise or counterclockwise to rotate your artwork.
Flip: In the Transform options, you'll find buttons for flipping your artwork horizontally or vertically.

Now that you know how to paste in Procreate and make precise adjustments using the Transform tool, it's time to finalize your artwork by merging layers and saving your work.

Step 6: Merge Layers and Save

After all your adjustments, it's time to merge the layers and save your masterpiece. Merging layers helps to reduce the number of layers and keep your artwork organized. Let's dive into the process of merging layers and saving your work in Procreate.

Merging Layers in Procreate

Merging layers is a straightforward process in Procreate. Follow these steps to merge your layers:

Go to the "Layers" panel by tapping on the layers icon in the top-right corner of your screen.
Select the layer you want to merge with another by gently swiping it to the right.
With the layer selected, tap on the layer thumbnail below it. This will merge the selected layer with the one below it.
Alternatively, you can pinch the two layers together to merge them.

Remember, merging layers is a permanent action, so make sure you're satisfied with your work before you merge.

Saving Your Final Artwork

Once you've merged your layers, it's essential to save your work. Saving your artwork in Procreate is a breeze. Here's how:

Tap on the "Actions" menu (the wrench icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select "Share" from the menu that appears.
Choose your desired file format (such as PNG, JPEG, or PSD) to save your artwork.
Select where you want to save your file (to your device, cloud storage, or another app).
Tap "Save" or "Export" to finalize the process.

Congratulations! You've successfully learned how to paste in Procreate and further manipulate your artwork using the powerful tools provided by this amazing app. Now it's time to unleash your creativity and make more stunning art.

If you enjoyed our blog post and want to dive deeper into the world of digital drawing, don't miss the workshop 'Intro to Procreate: Drawing with Digital Tools' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will guide you through the fundamentals of using Procreate, a popular digital drawing tool, and help you unlock your creative potential in the digital realm.