Procreate Canvas Sizes: High-Quality Print Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 7 min read

Creating high-quality prints from your Procreate artwork starts with choosing the right canvas size. The term "Procreate canvas size for printing" may sound technical, but it's actually pretty simple. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the basics of Procreate, the importance of canvas size, and how to set it up for optimal printing results. So, let's dive into the world of Procreate and canvas sizes!

1. Get to Know Procreate

Procreate is an artist's best friend. It's a powerful digital illustration app that's packed with features to help you create stunning artwork. But before we get into the specifics of Procreate canvas size for printing, let's take a closer look at what Procreate is, what it offers, and why it's a top choice for digital artists.

Introduction to Procreate

Procreate is a digital illustration app exclusively for iPad. It's a go-to tool for artists, graphic designers, and anyone who loves to create. Here are some reasons why:

It's user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to start creating instantly.
It offers over 200 handcrafted brushes, a suite of innovative artistic tools, an advanced layer system, and the lightning fast Valkyrie graphics engine.
Its ability to support high-definition canvases, up to 16k by 4k on the iPad Pro.

Features of Procreate

Procreate is not just any digital art app—it's a powerhouse of features. Here are some of its standout attributes:

Layering system: Procreate allows you to create art on multiple layers. This means you can work on individual aspects of your artwork without affecting the rest of it.
Brush Library: It offers a vast array of brushes, each with its own unique feel and effect. From sketching to painting, there's a brush for every style and technique.
Color Features: Procreate offers a Color Drop tool for flawless fills, and a Color Picker for precise color selection.

Why choose Procreate?

So, why should you choose Procreate for your digital art? Here are a few reasons:

Procreate is easy to use, but it also offers depth and complexity for those who want to explore.
It's versatile. Whether you're into sketching, painting, or design, Procreate has the tools to accommodate your style.
It supports high-resolution canvases. This is particularly important when you need a larger Procreate canvas size for printing.

Now that you understand Procreate a little better, let's explore the subject of canvas sizes and how they affect your print results.

2. Understanding Canvas Sizes

Just as a traditional painter needs to choose the right canvas size for their artwork, digital artists also need to pay attention to canvas size—especially when planning to print their digital artwork. Let's unravel the mystery of canvas sizes and their role in the world of digital art and printing.

What is a Canvas Size?

Canvas size refers to the total area where you'll create your artwork. It's like the digital equivalent of a physical canvas. In Procreate, you can choose from a range of sizes, but remember, the larger the canvas, the more detail you can add. However, larger canvases require more power and can slow down the app on older iPad models.

Importance of Canvas Size

Canvas size plays a key role in your final artwork and how it prints. Here's why:

Detail: Larger canvases allow for more detail. If you're working on a complex piece with lots of fine elements, a larger canvas will serve you better.
Print Quality: The Procreate canvas size for printing matters because it affects the print quality. A bigger canvas will yield a more detailed print.

Canvas Size and Print Quality

Understanding the relationship between canvas size and print quality is crucial when you're planning to print your Procreate artwork. Here's the deal:

Canvas size in Procreate is measured in pixels. But when you print, size is measured in inches or centimeters.
The print quality (in DPI, or dots per inch) dictates how many pixels are squeezed into each inch of paper. The more pixels per inch (PPI), the crisper and more detailed your print will be.
A common standard for high-quality print is 300 DPI. So, if you're creating a Procreate canvas for printing a 10x10 inch print, your canvas should be 3000x3000 pixels.

With a solid understanding of canvas sizes under your belt, let's move on to setting up your canvas in Procreate to ensure you get the best print results possible.

3. Setting Up Your Canvas

Now that you understand the importance of canvas size, let's dive into how to properly set up your canvas in Procreate. Setting up your canvas correctly is like laying the foundation of a house—it sets the stage for everything that comes after.

How to Set Up Canvas

Creating a new canvas in Procreate is a fairly straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Open Procreate and tap on the "+" sign to create a new canvas.
Tap on "Create Custom Size."
Enter your desired dimensions in pixels. Remember, if you're planning to print, ensure the size is large enough to maintain a high-quality print (300 DPI is a good standard).
Tap on "Create" to open your new canvas.

Common Mistakes in Setting Up Canvas

While setting up a Procreate canvas size for printing seems simple enough, there are some common mistakes that artists often make. Here are a few:

Not considering the final print size: If you want to print your artwork, ensure your canvas size is big enough. A canvas that's too small will result in a pixelated, blurry print.
Overloading your device: Remember, larger canvases require more processing power. If you're working on an older iPad, a canvas that's too big can slow down Procreate or cause crashes.

Tips for Setting Up Canvas

To help you avoid these pitfalls, here are some tips for setting up your canvas:

Consider your final output: If you're planning to print your work, always start with a larger canvas. It's easier to downscale a large image without losing quality than it is to upscale a small image.
Test your device limits: Try different canvas sizes to see what works best on your device. Remember, Procreate will give you fewer layers to work with on larger canvases, so find a balance that works for you.

With your canvas set up properly, you're one step closer to creating high-quality Procreate prints. Let's now turn our attention to how to choose the right canvas size for your project.

4. Choosing the Right Canvas Size

Choosing the right canvas size is a bit like picking the right tool for a job. Sure, you could use a hammer to tighten a screw—but wouldn't a screwdriver work so much better? The same goes for your Procreate canvas size. Let's explore how to choose a canvas size that fits your project like a glove.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Canvas Size

When selecting your Procreate canvas size for printing, there are a few factors you should consider:

Printing medium: Will your artwork be printed on a poster, a T-shirt, a mug, or perhaps a canvas? Each medium requires a different canvas size. For instance, a poster might require a larger canvas size than a T-shirt.
Printing resolution: Remember that golden rule of 300 DPI? Always keep it in mind when deciding on your canvas size.
Device limitations: As previously mentioned, your iPad has limits. Larger canvas sizes eat up more processing power, so make sure your canvas size is something your device can handle comfortably.

Tips for Choosing Right Canvas Size

Now, let's look at some practical tips for choosing the right Procreate canvas size for printing:

Think ahead: Before you even start drawing, think about where your artwork will end up. This will help you choose the appropriate canvas size from the get-go.
Don't skimp on pixels: When in doubt, go for a larger canvas size. You can always scale down your artwork, but scaling it up can result in loss of quality.

Examples of Right Canvas Sizes

Here are a few examples of appropriate Procreate canvas sizes for different print mediums:

T-shirt: A typical T-shirt design might require a canvas size of around 4200 x 4800 pixels.
Poster: For a standard poster size (24" x 36"), you might need a canvas size of around 7200 x 10800 pixels.

Remember, these are just examples—always consider your specific project details and printing requirements when choosing your canvas size.

Alright, you've got your canvas size all sorted out. Now, let's move on to the last step: printing your Procreate artwork.

5. Printing Your Procreate Artwork

So you've created your masterpiece, and you've chosen the perfect Procreate canvas size for printing. Now, it's time to bring your artwork to life. In this section, we're going to walk you through the final steps—from preparing your artwork for print to conducting a quality check. Let's get started.

Preparing Your Artwork for Print

Before you hit that print button, there are a few things you need to do:

Save your artwork: Save your artwork in a high-resolution format, such as .PNG or .JPEG.
Check your colors: Screen colors can look different when printed. It's always a good idea to check your colors in print preview mode before you print.
Double-check your dimensions: Make sure your artwork's dimensions match the dimensions of your chosen print medium. You wouldn't want to print a T-shirt design on a poster-sized canvas, right?

Finding the Right Printer

Choosing the right printer is just as important as choosing the right Procreate canvas size for printing. Here are a couple of tips:

Research printers: Not all printers are created equal. Some are better suited for printing artwork, while others might be more suited for text documents. Do your homework, and find a printer that suits your needs.
Test print: Before you print a hundred copies of your artwork, do a test print first. This will give you a chance to check the print quality and make any necessary adjustments.

Print Quality Check

Finally, once your artwork is printed, give it a good once-over:

Check the colors: Make sure the printed colors match your expectations.
Check the resolution: Look for any pixelation or blurring that might indicate a resolution issue.
Check the size: Ensure your artwork fits the print medium correctly.

And there you have it—your artwork is now ready for the world to see. Whether it's a T-shirt design, a poster, or a mug print, you now know how to choose the right Procreate canvas size for printing and bring your digital artwork to life. Happy printing!

If you're looking to further enhance your Procreate canvas skills and ensure high-quality prints, don't miss the workshop 'How to Sharpen & Resize Images for Print' by Austin James Jackson. This workshop will teach you valuable techniques on sharpening and resizing your images for print, helping you achieve stunning results for your artwork.