How to Duplicate Layers and Objects in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 24 May 2023 10 min read

As an artist or designer, you may have encountered the need to duplicate layers or objects in Procreate to speed up your workflow, maintain consistency, or simply experiment with different design ideas. This step-by-step guide will help you learn how to duplicate in Procreate, covering everything from the basics to advanced techniques. So grab your stylus, and let's get started!

1. Understanding the Purpose of Duplicating in Procreate

Before diving into the process of duplicating in Procreate, it's essential to understand why duplicating is a valuable tool and how it differs from copying. We'll also discuss how to organize your layers for efficient duplicating.

Why Duplicate Layers and Objects in Procreate?

Duplicating layers and objects in Procreate is a time-saving technique that allows you to:

Create multiple instances of the same element without having to redraw it
Experiment with different styles, colors, or effects on the same object without altering the original
Maintain consistency across your artwork
Build complex designs by reusing and modifying existing elements

Duplicate vs. Copy: What's the Difference?

While both duplication and copying involve creating a new instance of an element, there are some key differences:

Duplicating creates a new layer or object that is an exact replica of the original, including all its properties and adjustments. You can then modify the duplicate independently of the original.
Copying simply stores the selected element in your clipboard, allowing you to paste it onto another layer or application. The pasted object might not retain all the properties and adjustments of the original.

Understanding the difference between these two actions will help you make the right choice for your workflow when learning how to duplicate in Procreate.

Organizing Your Layers for Efficient Duplicating

Before you start duplicating layers, it's a good idea to keep your layers organized. Here are some tips:

Label your layers meaningfully to avoid confusion when duplicating
Use layer groups to keep related layers together, making it easier to duplicate multiple layers at once
Keep a "master" layer or group for elements you plan to duplicate often, so you can easily access the original version

With a well-organized layer structure, you'll be ready to conquer the world of duplication in Procreate!

2. Duplicating Layers: How to Duplicate in Procreate

Now that you've got a solid understanding of the purpose behind duplicating and have organized your layers, it's time to dive into the process of duplicating layers in Procreate. In this section, we'll walk you through the steps to access layer options, duplicate a layer, and manage your duplicated layers.

Accessing Layer Options

Before you can duplicate a layer, you'll need to access the layer options in Procreate. Here's how:

Open your Procreate project and make sure you're in the Layers panel. If you don't see the Layers panel, tap the Layers icon (two stacked squares) in the top-right corner of your screen.
Locate the layer you want to duplicate and tap it once to bring up the layer options.

With the layer options now accessible, you're one step closer to learning how to duplicate in Procreate.

How to Duplicate a Layer

Now that you've accessed the layer options, let's go through the process of duplicating a layer:

In the layer options, find and tap the "Duplicate" option. This will create a new layer that is an exact replica of the original layer, placed directly above it.
Tap the new duplicated layer to select it, and feel free to modify it as needed. Remember, the original layer remains untouched, so any changes made to the duplicate won't affect it.

And there you have it—your first lesson on how to duplicate in Procreate is complete! Now let's discuss how to manage your duplicated layers effectively.

Managing Your Duplicated Layers

Creating duplicates is only half the battle; managing them effectively will help keep your project organized and efficient. Here are a few tips on managing your duplicated layers:

Keep duplicates near the original: Place your duplicated layers close to the original layer or within the same layer group. This will help you keep track of which layers are related, and it'll also make it easier to find both the original and its duplicates when needed.
Rename duplicated layers: Give your duplicated layers descriptive names, so you know what they are and how they differ from the original. For example, if your original layer is named "Flower," you might name your duplicate "Flower - Blue" if you've changed its color.
Merge duplicates when appropriate: If you've created multiple duplicates for a specific purpose (e.g., creating a pattern), consider merging those duplicates into a single layer once you're satisfied with their arrangement. This will help reduce clutter in your Layers panel and make it easier to manage your project as a whole.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to mastering how to duplicate in Procreate with ease and efficiency!

3. Duplicating Objects: How to Duplicate in Procreate

In addition to duplicating layers, you might also want to duplicate specific objects within a layer. This can be useful for creating patterns, designing characters with repeating elements, or simply making multiple copies of an object for further editing. In this section, we'll guide you through selecting objects for duplication, duplicating them, and managing the duplicated objects effectively.

Selecting Objects for Duplication

Before learning how to duplicate in Procreate at the object level, you'll need to know how to select the objects you want to duplicate. Follow these simple steps:

Open your Procreate project and make sure you're on the layer containing the object you want to duplicate.
Tap the Selection Tool (dotted square icon) in the top-left corner of your screen to access the selection options.
Select the desired selection method: Automatic, Freehand, or Rectangular. For most cases, Automatic works well, but feel free to experiment with the others based on your needs.
With your selection method chosen, tap and drag on the object you want to duplicate until it's highlighted or fully enclosed by your selection.

Now that you've selected your object, you're ready to learn how to duplicate in Procreate at the object level!

How to Duplicate an Object

With your object selected, it's time to duplicate it. Here's how:

With the object still selected, tap the Copy button in the top-left corner of your screen.
Tap the screen again with your finger or stylus to bring up the contextual menu, and then tap "Paste." A new layer containing the duplicated object will be created automatically.
Move the duplicated object to your desired location using the Transform Tool (arrow icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.

Congratulations! You've now mastered how to duplicate in Procreate at both the layer and object levels. But before you get too carried away with duplicating, let's talk about managing those duplicated objects.

Managing Your Duplicated Objects

Just like with duplicated layers, proper management of duplicated objects is key to maintaining an organized and efficient project. Here are some tips for managing your duplicated objects:

Keep objects on separate layers: When duplicating objects, it's a good idea to keep them on separate layers. This will make editing and organizing your objects much easier, as you can work on them individually without affecting other objects.
Group related objects: If you have several duplicated objects that are related or part of the same design element, consider grouping them into a single layer group. This will help you keep track of them and make it easier to modify or move them as a unit.
Use layer naming: As with duplicated layers, giving your object-containing layers descriptive names can help you stay organized and quickly identify the objects you're looking for. For example, if you've duplicated a button design, you might name the layers "Button 1," "Button 2," and so on.

By applying these management tips, you'll be well-equipped to handle any object duplication situation that arises in your Procreate projects.

Now that you've learned how to duplicate in Procreate both at the layer and object levels, you're ready to explore more advanced duplication techniques and tackle any common issues that may arise. So go ahead, flex those creative muscles, and bring your Procreate projects to life with ease and efficiency!

4. Advanced Duplication Techniques in Procreate

Now that you're comfortable with the basics of how to duplicate in Procreate, it's time to level up your skills with some advanced duplication techniques. These methods can help you achieve even more complex and detailed designs while still maintaining an organized and efficient workflow. So, let's dive in and explore these advanced techniques!

Using the Transform Tool for Duplication

The Transform Tool in Procreate is not only useful for moving and resizing objects but can also be a powerful ally in duplicating objects with more precision. Here's how to duplicate in Procreate using the Transform Tool:

Select the object you want to duplicate, as explained in the previous section.
With the object selected, tap the Transform Tool (arrow icon) in the top-left corner of your screen.
In the Transform panel, you'll see several options at the bottom of the screen. Tap the "Duplicate" button to create a new layer with a copy of the selected object.
Now you can use the Transform Tool to move, rotate, resize, or even flip the duplicated object with ease and precision.

By using the Transform Tool for duplication, you'll have greater control over the placement and appearance of your duplicated objects, allowing for more intricate and detailed designs.

Duplicating with Clipping Masks

Clipping masks are another advanced technique that can be combined with duplication to create unique and complex designs. In essence, a clipping mask allows you to apply a texture or pattern only to a specific area of a layer, defined by the shape of the layer below it. Here's how to duplicate in Procreate using clipping masks:

Duplicate the layer you want to use as a clipping mask, as explained in the previous sections.
Move the duplicated layer above the layer you want to apply the mask to.
Tap on the duplicated layer thumbnail and choose "Clipping Mask" from the menu that appears.
The texture or pattern from the duplicated layer will now only be visible within the shape of the layer below it.

With clipping masks, you can create intricate patterns and textures that follow the contours of your objects, giving your designs a more polished and professional look.

Grouping Layers for Bulk Duplication

As your projects become more complex, you might find yourself needing to duplicate multiple layers at once. This is where grouping layers can be a game-changer. Grouping layers together allows you to duplicate, move, or modify them as a single unit, streamlining your workflow. Here's how to duplicate in Procreate using layer groups:

Select the layers you want to group by swiping right on each layer thumbnail in the layers panel.
With the layers selected, tap the "Group" button at the top of the layers panel to create a new layer group containing your selected layers.
Now, you can duplicate the entire group by swiping left on the group thumbnail and tapping "Duplicate" in the menu that appears.
Once duplicated, you can move, edit, or modify the entire group of layers as needed.

Grouping layers for bulk duplication can save you time and effort, especially when working with complex designs that require duplicating multiple elements simultaneously.

In this section, we've explored several advanced techniques for duplicating layers and objects in Procreate. By mastering these methods, you'll be well-equipped to tackle even the most intricate and detailed projects with confidence. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to experiment and explore these techniques as you continue honing your skills in Procreate. Happy creating!

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues with Duplicating in Procreate

As you continue to explore how to duplicate in Procreate and take on more complex projects, you may encounter some common issues and challenges. Don't worry! This section will help you troubleshoot these problems and keep your creative process smooth and enjoyable. So, let's dive in and tackle these common issues together.

Layer Capacity Issues

One of the most common issues when duplicating in Procreate is running into layer capacity limits. Procreate has a maximum number of layers available for each canvas, which depends on the canvas size and your device's capabilities. If you reach this limit, you might not be able to duplicate layers or objects as desired.

To resolve this issue, try the following:

Merge layers: Combine similar layers or those that don't require further editing. This will free up space for new layers.
Reduce canvas size: Smaller canvases allow for more layers. However, this might affect the quality of your artwork, so use this option carefully.
Upgrade your device: Newer devices typically support more layers. If you're working on complex projects regularly, it might be worth considering an upgrade.

Misaligned Objects After Duplication

Sometimes, after duplicating an object or layer, you might find that the duplicated items are misaligned or not positioned as expected. This can be frustrating, but there are some simple solutions to help you get things back on track:

Use guides and grids: Procreate offers built-in guides and grids to help you align objects precisely. Enable these tools in the Actions menu (wrench icon) under "Canvas" settings.
Adjust with the Transform Tool: As mentioned in the advanced techniques section, the Transform Tool can help you move, rotate, and resize objects with precision. Use this tool to fix any misalignment issues.
Zoom in for accuracy: Sometimes, a slight misalignment is hard to spot when zoomed out. Zoom in on your canvas to ensure that objects are aligned correctly before duplicating.

Using Undo and Redo to Fix Duplication Mistakes

Mistakes happen, and sometimes you might accidentally duplicate a layer or object you didn't mean to. Thankfully, Procreate has built-in undo and redo features to help you quickly fix these errors:

Undo: To undo your last action, simply tap with two fingers on the canvas. You can do this multiple times to undo several steps.
Redo: To redo an action you've undone, tap with three fingers on the canvas. This will redo the last undone action, and you can redo multiple steps if needed.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you work with Procreate, the more comfortable you'll become with its features—including how to duplicate in Procreate. So, keep experimenting, learning, and growing as an artist. And most importantly, have fun along the way!

If you found this step-by-step guide on duplicating layers and objects in Procreate helpful, don't miss out on the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will teach you everything you need to know to master drawing in Procreate and unlock your full creative potential.