Procreate Canvas Size: How to Choose the Right Size for Your Digital Art

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 7 min read

Creating digital art in Procreate is exciting, especially when you have the right canvas size to work with. In this blog, we'll discuss how to choose the perfect Procreate canvas size for your digital art projects. We'll cover everything from understanding canvas sizes and resolution, to adjusting canvas size based on purpose and optimizing for performance. Let's dive in!

Understanding Canvas Sizes

Before selecting the right Procreate canvas size, it's essential to understand some basic concepts related to canvas sizes. We will discuss pixels vs. inches and resolution and DPI in this section.

Pixels vs. Inches

Procreate canvas size can be measured in two units: pixels and inches. Pixels are tiny squares that make up a digital image, while inches measure the physical size of the artwork when printed. Here are some key points to remember:

Pixels: The number of pixels determines the digital size of your artwork. The more pixels you have, the more detailed your image will be. It's essential to choose a suitable pixel size for your art, as resizing the image later can result in a loss of quality.
Inches: If you plan on printing your artwork, it's crucial to consider the size in inches. To ensure a high-quality print, you should use a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). We'll discuss DPI more in the next section.

Resolution and DPI

Resolution and DPI are essential aspects of Procreate canvas size. Here's what you need to know:

Resolution: Resolution refers to the amount of detail in an image. A higher resolution means more detail and a larger file size. When working with digital art, it's important to strike a balance between resolution and file size to maintain quality without straining your device's performance.
DPI: DPI, or dots per inch, is a measure of how many pixels will be printed in an inch of space. A higher DPI means a more detailed print. For most print projects, it's recommended to use a DPI of at least 300, ensuring your artwork looks crisp and clear when printed.

Now that you have a basic understanding of canvas sizes, let's explore how to choose the right Procreate canvas size based on the purpose of your digital art.

Choosing Canvas Size Based on Purpose

Different types of digital art projects require different Procreate canvas sizes. Whether you're working on digital painting, illustration, or graphic design, we'll help you choose the perfect canvas size for your project.

Digital Painting

Digital painting often involves intricate details and large file sizes. Here are some tips for choosing the right Procreate canvas size for digital painting:

High Resolution: Opt for a higher resolution, typically around 300 DPI, to ensure your painting looks crisp and clear when printed.
Large Canvas: Choose a larger canvas size—think at least 3000x3000 pixels—to give yourself room to work and include all those fine details.
Aspect Ratio: Consider the aspect ratio of your chosen canvas size. A square canvas (1:1) or a 4:3 aspect ratio can work well for digital painting, but feel free to experiment depending on your preferences.

Illustration

Illustrations can vary in style and complexity, so choosing the right Procreate canvas size depends on the specific project. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Resolution: Aim for a resolution of at least 300 DPI if you plan on printing your illustration.
Canvas Size: Consider the level of detail and complexity of your illustration. For simpler illustrations, a smaller canvas size, such as 2000x2000 pixels, may suffice. For more intricate designs, opt for a larger canvas size, like 3000x3000 pixels or more.
Aspect Ratio: Choose an aspect ratio that fits the composition of your illustration. Common aspect ratios include 1:1 (square), 4:3, and 3:2, but feel free to explore other options based on your project's needs.

Graphic Design

When working on graphic design projects in Procreate, canvas size will depend on the final output and intended use of your design. Here are some things to consider:

Resolution: If your design is meant for print, aim for at least 300 DPI. For digital use, 72 DPI is typically sufficient.
Canvas Size: Choose a canvas size that matches the dimensions of your final output. For example, if you're designing a poster, select a canvas size that matches the poster's dimensions in inches or pixels.
Aspect Ratio: Maintain the aspect ratio of your final output when selecting a Procreate canvas size. This will ensure your design fits perfectly without distortion or cropping when it's time to print or display your work.

Now that you know how to choose a canvas size based on the purpose of your digital art, let's explore Procreate's default canvas sizes and how to create a custom canvas size.

Procreate Default Canvas Sizes

Procreate offers a variety of default canvas sizes to suit different needs, from screen sizes to print sizes. Here's a breakdown of the most common default canvas sizes and how to create a custom size if needed.

Screen Size

Creating artwork for display on digital screens? Procreate offers default canvas sizes that match common screen resolutions, such as:

1080p: 1920x1080 pixels, perfect for full HD screens.
4K: 3840x2160 pixels, ideal for ultra-HD screens and larger displays.
iPad Screen: The app automatically sets a canvas size to match your device's screen resolution, making it easy to create artwork optimized for your iPad.

Print Size

If you plan on printing your artwork, Procreate offers default canvas sizes based on standard print dimensions, such as:

A4: 2480x3508 pixels at 300 DPI, suitable for A4-sized prints.
US Letter: 2550x3300 pixels at 300 DPI, perfect for printing on US Letter-sized paper.
Business Card: 1050x600 pixels at 300 DPI, designed for standard business card dimensions.

Custom Size

Can't find the perfect Procreate canvas size among the defaults? No worries! You can create a custom canvas size to fit your specific project needs. Here's how:

Open Procreate and tap the "+" button to create a new canvas.
Select the "Custom Canvas" option.
Enter your desired canvas dimensions in pixels, inches, or centimeters.
Set your preferred DPI (remember, 300 DPI for print and 72 DPI for digital use).
Tap "Create" to start working on your custom-sized canvas.

By understanding the different Procreate default canvas sizes and how to create a custom size, you'll be well-equipped to choose the right canvas size for any digital art project.

Optimizing Canvas Size for Performance

Choosing the right Procreate canvas size is not only about aesthetics or print dimensions—it's also about performance. Optimizing your canvas size can help you make the most of your device's capabilities, manage layer limits, and keep file sizes manageable. Let's dive into each of these aspects.

Device Capabilities

Different devices have varying processing power and memory capacities. Working on a large canvas with high resolution can be taxing on your device's resources. To ensure smooth performance, consider your device's capabilities and choose a canvas size that won't slow down your workflow.

For example, if you have an older iPad with limited RAM, sticking to a smaller canvas size might be a better option to avoid performance issues. On the other hand, if you have a newer iPad with more RAM, you can afford to work with larger canvases and higher resolutions.

Layer Limits

Layer limits in Procreate are directly affected by the canvas size and resolution. Larger canvases with high resolutions will result in fewer available layers. Conversely, smaller canvases with lower resolutions will allow for more layers.

When choosing your Procreate canvas size, consider how many layers you'll need for your project. If you require a lot of layers for intricate details or complex compositions, you might want to opt for a smaller canvas size or lower resolution. On the other hand, if you don't need many layers, feel free to go big with your canvas size and resolution.

File Size

Working with large Procreate canvas sizes and high resolutions can lead to larger file sizes. Large files can quickly fill up your device's storage and make it challenging to share your artwork with others. To avoid running out of storage or facing issues when sharing your work, consider the file size implications of your chosen canvas size and resolution.

One way to manage file size is by compressing your artwork when exporting. For example, you can export your work as a JPEG instead of a PSD or TIFF to reduce file size. However, keep in mind that some file formats, like JPEG, use lossy compression, which might result in a slight loss of image quality.

By optimizing your Procreate canvas size for performance, you can ensure a smooth workflow, manage layer limits, and keep file sizes in check while creating stunning digital art.

Sharing your digital art on social media is a fantastic way to showcase your talent and engage with an audience. To make sure your artwork looks its best on various platforms, it's essential to choose the right Procreate canvas size for each channel. Let's explore some recommended canvas sizes for popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Instagram

Instagram is a popular platform for artists, and it supports various image dimensions. Here are some recommended Procreate canvas sizes for different types of Instagram posts:

Square Posts: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Portrait Posts: 1080 x 1350 pixels
Landscape Posts: 1080 x 566 pixels
Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Keep in mind that Instagram compresses images, so it's a good idea to use the highest possible resolution within these dimensions to maintain image quality.

Facebook

Facebook is another excellent platform for sharing your digital art. Here are some recommended Procreate canvas sizes for various Facebook posts:

Profile Pictures: 180 x 180 pixels
Cover Photos: 820 x 312 pixels
Shared Images: 1200 x 630 pixels
Event Images: 1920 x 1080 pixels

As with Instagram, Facebook compresses images, so using the highest possible resolution within these dimensions will help maintain image quality.

Twitter

Twitter is yet another platform where you can share your digital art and engage with a wider audience. Here are some recommended Procreate canvas sizes for Twitter:

Profile Pictures: 400 x 400 pixels
Header Photos: 1500 x 500 pixels
Tweet Images: 1200 x 675 pixels

As with other social media platforms, Twitter compresses images. Using the highest possible resolution within these dimensions will help you maintain image quality when sharing your work.

By tailoring your Procreate canvas size to each social media platform, you'll ensure your artwork looks its best and captures the attention of your audience.

If you're excited about exploring the world of animation and want to improve your skills using Procreate and Photoshop, don't miss the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will provide you with step-by-step guidance on how to create captivating animations using these powerful tools, helping you bring your creative vision to life.