Master Procreate Typography: 7 Steps to Brush Tool

Published on 31 July 2023 6 min read

Select the Brush Tool
Adjust Brush Size and Opacity
Select a Color for the Brush
Create a New Layer for Text
Draw the Letters Using the Brush Tool
Edit and Refine the Text
Apply a Blend Mode to the Text Layer

Typography design is an art, and Procreate is the canvas that allows your creativity to flow. But how do you use brush in Procreate for typography design? The answer is simpler than you might think. In this blog, we're going to walk through seven easy-to-follow steps that will take you from a Procreate novice to a typography design pro. So, let's dive in and get those brushes moving!

Select the Brush Tool

Before we can start creating our typography, we first need to select the right tool for the job - the Brush tool. The Brush tool in Procreate is a versatile and powerful tool, perfect for creating stunning typography designs. Here's how you can select it:

Launch Procreate: Open up your Procreate app on your iPad.
Open a new canvas: Tap on the '+' icon to open a new canvas.
Select the Brush tool: Look to the top right of your screen. You'll see a paintbrush icon - that's the one you want. Tap on it, and you'll see a list of brush categories. These range from sketching brushes to painting brushes, inking brushes, and more. Select a brush that suits your typography design style.

And there you have it! You've just taken the first step on your journey to mastering how to use brush in Procreate for typography design. Remember, the choice of brush can drastically change the feel of your typography, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Stay tuned for the next step where we will adjust the size and opacity of our chosen brush for more precise control over our design.

Adjust Brush Size and Opacity

Now that we've selected our brush, it's time to fine-tune it to our liking. The size and opacity of your brush can greatly influence the personality of your typography design. So, how do you adjust the brush size and opacity in Procreate? Here's how:

Adjusting the Brush Size: To change the size of your brush, simply slide your finger or Apple Pencil along the slider on the left side of the screen. Sliding up makes the brush bigger, and sliding down makes it smaller. It's all about finding that "just-right" size for your design.
Adjusting the Brush Opacity: Right above the size slider, you'll find the opacity slider. Sliding up decreases the opacity (making the brush strokes more transparent), while sliding down increases the opacity (making the brush strokes more solid). Opacity can add depth and texture to your design, so play around with it and see what works best for your typography.

And voila! You're now well-equipped to adjust the size and opacity of your brush in Procreate. See how easy it was? Now that you've mastered the art of brush adjustment, it's time to infuse some color into our design. So, let's move on to our next step - selecting a color for the brush.

Select a Color for the Brush

How about adding a splash of color to our typography design? Choosing the right color can bring your text to life and add a touch of personality to it. So, let's dive into how to select a color for the brush in Procreate:

Pick a Color: Open the color picker by tapping on the circle at the top right of the screen. You'll see a rainbow of colors - feel free to explore and choose one that suits your design best. Remember, the right color can set the mood for your entire design.
Adjust the Color: After you select a color, you can adjust its hue, saturation, and brightness. Just slide your finger around until you find the perfect shade. Do you want a bold red, a soft pastel blue, or a vibrant green? The choice is all yours!

And there you have it! You've now learned how to select and adjust colors in Procreate. It's like having a full-fledged art studio right at your fingertips. Now, are you ready to start creating the letters of your typography design? Let's get to it!

Create a New Layer for Text

Okay, now that you've picked out the perfect color, it's time to lay the foundation for your typography design in Procreate. And how do we do that? By creating a new layer specifically for your text. This might sound a tad technical, but I assure you, it's as easy as pie. Here's how you can do it:

Open the Layers Panel: Tap on the layers icon— the two squares on the top right of the screen. This will open up the layers panel, a handy place to manage all your different layers.
Create a New Layer: Once in the layers panel, tap on the "+" symbol to create a new layer. This is where you'll draw your text. Having a separate layer for your text makes it easier to edit and move around later on.

Now, with your new layer created and your color chosen, you're all set to start designing your typography. Exciting, isn't it? You're one step closer to mastering how to use brush in Procreate for typography design!

Draw the Letters Using the Brush Tool

Now that we've laid the groundwork with a new layer, it's time to unleash the power of the brush tool. Yes, it's time to draw the letters. Remember, typography is all about expressing words in a visually appealing manner. So, don't worry if you're not a professional artist—just let your creativity flow.

Access the Brush Library: Tap on the paintbrush icon in the top right corner of the screen. This opens up your brush library, a world full of different brushes. Feel free to choose any brush that tickles your fancy.
Draw Your Letters: Once you've chosen your brush, start drawing your letters on the new layer you created earlier. Here's a friendly tip: take it slow and steady. If you make a mistake, don't worry! Just use the eraser tool to clean up any stray marks.

And there you have it! You've drawn your letters using the brush tool. You're making great strides in learning how to use brush in Procreate for typography design. Keep going—your masterpiece is just around the corner.

Edit and Refine the Text

Let's face it, we're not all Picasso, and our first attempt at drawing letters might not be perfect. But guess what? That's perfectly okay! Procreate has a fantastic set of editing tools that make refining your typography a breeze. Let's get into it:

Smoothing Out the Edges: Did your letters turn out a bit wobbly? No problem! The Smudge Tool is your best friend here. You can find it next to the brush icon at the top of the screen. This tool is perfect for smoothing out those rough edges and giving your letters a more polished look.
Tweaking the Letter Size: If some of your letters are too big or too small, the Transform Tool will come in handy. It's the arrow symbol located right next to the Smudge Tool. This tool lets you resize, rotate, and even move your letters around until they're just right.

Remember, the key to mastering how to use brush in Procreate for typography design is patience and practice. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't hesitate to use these editing tools to refine your work. After all, the most beautiful works of art didn't happen overnight, did they?

Apply a Blend Mode to the Text Layer

Now that you've drawn and refined your letters, it's time to add some spice to your typography. This is where Blend Modes come into play. Blend Modes can make your text pop, add depth, or even create cool effects like shadows or glows. Here's how to do it:

Choosing a Blend Mode: First, make sure your text layer is selected. You can do this by tapping on the layer in the Layers panel. Next, tap on the 'N' button next to the layer thumbnail. This will reveal a list of Blend Modes. Try out different options and see which one you like best. Some popular choices for typography are Multiply, Overlay, and Soft Light.
Adjusting the Blend: Once you've chosen a Blend Mode, you can adjust the intensity using the slider that appears. Move the slider to the right to increase the effect, or to the left to decrease it.

Applying a Blend Mode can take your typography design to the next level. It's all about experimentation and seeing what works best for your specific design. So go ahead and play around with different Blend Modes. Who knows, you might stumble upon a combination that takes your typography from good to great!

If you enjoyed learning about Procreate typography and want to further enhance your skills in this versatile app, check out Vicky Catalan's workshop: 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate.' This workshop will help you master Procreate's drawing tools and provide you with an exciting new way to express your creativity through digital art.