How to Crop an Image in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

Importing Your Image

Selecting the Crop Tool

Cropping Your Image

Exporting the Cropped Image

Additional Procreate Tips

Learning how to crop an image in Procreate can enhance your digital art skills and help you create the perfect composition. In this step-by-step guide, we'll go through the process of importing, cropping, and exporting an image in Procreate, as well as some additional tips to make the most of this powerful app.

Importing Your Image

Before you can crop an image in Procreate, you need to import it into the app. Follow these steps to get your image ready for cropping:

1. Open Procreate

Launch the Procreate app on your iPad or iPhone. If you don't already have it, you can download it from the App Store.

2. Choose Photo

Tap the "+" icon in the top right corner of the screen to create a new canvas. Select "Create custom size," and enter the dimensions you want for your canvas. Then, tap on the wrench icon in the top left corner, go to the "Add" tab, and choose "Insert a photo" to import the image you want to crop.

3. Adjust Image Size

Once your image is imported, use the arrow icon in the top left corner to adjust its size and position. You can pinch and drag to resize the image, as well as rotate it by twisting your fingers. Remember to lock the aspect ratio by tapping the lock icon in the bottom left corner of the bounding box—this will ensure your image doesn't get distorted during resizing.

Selecting the Crop Tool

Now that your image is imported and positioned correctly, it's time to learn how to crop an image in Procreate. To do this, you'll need to access the Crop tool:

1. Accessing the Actions Menu

Tap the wrench icon in the top left corner of the screen to open the Actions menu. This menu contains various options for adjusting your canvas and image.

2. Select Crop and Resize

Under the "Canvas" tab in the Actions menu, tap on "Crop and Resize." This will bring up the Crop tool, which allows you to define the area of the image you want to keep.

Cropping Your Image

With the Crop tool activated, you're ready to start cropping your image. Here's how to do it:

1. Adjust Crop Area

Drag the blue handles on the edges and corners of the crop box to define the area you want to keep. As you adjust the crop area, you'll notice the rest of the image becomes darker—this is the area that will be removed once you finalize the cropping process.

2. Finalize Cropping

Once you're satisfied with the crop area, tap "Done" in the top right corner of the screen. This will remove the unwanted parts of the image, leaving you with the cropped version.

Exporting the Cropped Image

After cropping the image, you might want to save or share it. Here's how to export your cropped image:

1. Go to the Actions Menu

Tap the wrench icon in the top left corner to access the Actions menu once again.

2. Choose Export Format

Under the "Share" tab, you can choose the format in which you want to export your image. Procreate offers options such as JPG, PNG, and more. Select the format that best suits your needs.

3. Save to Location

Once you've chosen the export format, you'll be prompted to select a save location. You can save the image to your device, iCloud Drive, or any other compatible location. Tap "Save" to complete the export process.

Additional Procreate Tips

Now that you know how to crop an image in Procreate, here are some extra tips to help you make the most of the app:

1. Using Guides

Procreate offers various guides, like grids and rulers, to help you with accurate drawing and alignment. To access these, tap the wrench icon, go to the "Canvas" tab, and select "Drawing Guide."

2. Experimenting with Layers

Working with layers in Procreate can help you create more complex compositions and easily edit specific parts of your artwork. To add a new layer, tap the layers icon in the top right corner and select the "+" icon.

3. Exploring Brush Options

Procreate has a vast library of brushes, which you can customize to suit your needs. Tap the paintbrush icon in the top right corner to access the brush library, and don't be afraid to experiment with different brushes and settings for unique effects.

By following this guide on how to crop an image in Procreate, you'll be able to refine your digital art skills and create more polished, professional-looking pieces. Don't forget to explore the app's other features and tools to unlock even more creative possibilities.

Cropping Your Image

With the Crop tool selected, it's time to start cropping your image in Procreate. Follow these simple steps to achieve the desired result:

1. Adjust Crop Area

Drag the blue handles on the edges and corners of the crop box to define the area you want to keep. As you adjust the crop area, you'll notice the rest of the image becomes darker—this is the area that will be removed once you finalize the cropping process.

2. Finalize Cropping

Once you're satisfied with the crop area, tap "Done" in the top right corner of the screen. This will remove the unwanted parts of the image, leaving you with the cropped version.

Exporting the Cropped Image

After you've successfully cropped your image, you might want to save or share it. Here's how to export your cropped image in Procreate:

1. Go to the Actions Menu

Tap the wrench icon in the top left corner to access the Actions menu once again.

2. Choose Export Format

Under the "Share" tab, you can choose the format in which you want to export your image. Procreate offers options such as JPG, PNG, and more. Select the format that best suits your needs.

3. Save to Location

Once you've chosen the export format, you'll be prompted to select a save location. You can save the image to your device, iCloud Drive, or any other compatible location. Tap "Save" to complete the export process.

Additional Procreate Tips

Now that you've mastered how to crop an image in Procreate, here are some extra tips to help you make the most of the app:

1. Using Guides

Procreate offers various guides, like grids and rulers, to help you with accurate drawing and alignment. To access these, tap the wrench icon, go to the "Canvas" tab, and select "Drawing Guide."

2. Experimenting with Layers

Working with layers in Procreate can help you create more complex compositions and easily edit specific parts of your artwork. To add a new layer, tap the layers icon in the top right corner and select the "+" icon.

3. Exploring Brush Options

Procreate has a vast library of brushes, which you can customize to suit your needs. Tap the paintbrush icon in the top right corner to access the brush library, and don't be afraid to experiment with different brushes and settings for unique effects.

By following this step-by-step guide on how to crop an image in Procreate, you'll be able to refine your digital art skills and create more polished, professional-looking pieces. Remember to explore the app's other features and tools to unlock even more creative possibilities.

Exporting the Cropped Image

Now that you know how to crop an image in Procreate, the next step is to export your newly cropped image. This will allow you to save, share, or use the image in other projects. Just follow these straightforward steps:

1. Go to the Actions Menu

Tap the wrench icon in the top left corner of the screen to access the Actions menu once again. This menu contains various options for managing your Procreate canvas.

2. Choose Export Format

Under the "Share" tab in the Actions menu, you'll see several export format options, such as JPG, PNG, and more. Select the format that best suits your needs for the cropped image. Different formats offer different levels of compression and quality, so choose the one that works best for your specific use case.

3. Save to Location

After selecting the export format, you'll be prompted to choose a save location. You can save the cropped image directly to your device, iCloud Drive, or any other compatible location. Simply tap "Save" to complete the export process, and your cropped image will be ready for use.

By following these steps, you can easily export your cropped image from Procreate and utilize it in various ways, such as sharing it on social media, incorporating it into a design project, or creating a digital portfolio. Remember that practice makes perfect, so keep refining your Procreate skills and experimenting with new techniques to make the most of this powerful digital art app.

Additional Procreate Tips

Now that you've mastered how to crop an image in Procreate, you may be interested in exploring other features and techniques to enhance your digital art experience. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

1. Using Guides

Procreate offers various guides, such as grids and rulers, to help you create more accurate and precise artwork. To access these guides, go to the Actions menu, tap on "Canvas," and then select "Drawing Guide." You can customize the guides to your preferences, making it easier to draw straight lines, create geometric shapes, or maintain consistent proportions in your artwork.

2. Experimenting with Layers

Working with layers can greatly improve your workflow and give you more control over your artwork. By separating elements onto different layers, you can easily edit, rearrange, or add effects to specific parts of your image without affecting the rest. To add a new layer, tap the "+" icon in the layers panel, and start exploring the various layer options such as opacity, blend modes, and layer masks.

3. Exploring Brush Options

Procreate comes with a vast library of brushes, each with unique properties and effects. Experimenting with different brushes can help you discover new textures, styles, and techniques for your artwork. To access the brushes, tap on the paintbrush icon in the top right corner, and then browse or search for the brush you'd like to use. You can even customize brushes or create your own by tapping the "+" icon in the brush library.

Digital art is an exciting and ever-evolving field, and Procreate is a powerful tool that can help you unlock your creativity and artistic potential. By taking advantage of these tips and techniques, you'll be well on your way to mastering not only how to crop an image in Procreate but also how to create stunning digital artwork.

If you're looking to improve your digital illustration skills, don't miss out on Vicky Catalan's workshop, 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate'. This workshop will guide you step-by-step on creating stunning fruit illustrations using the popular digital art app, ProCreate. Hone your skills and unleash your creativity with this fantastic workshop!