Procreate Lettering: Beginner's Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 7 min read

Mastering Procreate for lettering can seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance, it can become an enjoyable journey. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the basics of Procreate and show you how to enhance your lettering skills, paving the way for you to create your own stunning lettering projects. Let's dive into the world of Procreate lettering guides!

Getting Acquainted with Procreate

Before you can use Procreate to its full potential for lettering, you need to understand its interface, brush library, and layering techniques. Each of these elements plays a significant role in shaping your Procreate lettering experience.

Understanding the Interface

The Procreate interface is user-friendly and intuitive. Here are some things you will need to familiarize yourself with:

Gallery view: This is where all your art pieces live. You can create new canvases, duplicate, delete, or share your work from here.
Canvas: This is your workspace. It's where you create all your lettering magic.
Toolbar: Located at the top of the screen, the toolbar hosts options like brush, eraser, smudge, layers, and more.
Actions Menu: Found on the left of the toolbar, this menu lets you adjust canvas settings, share your work, and access helpful tools like the guides for lettering.

Using the Brush Library

Procreate's brush library is one of the key tools in your lettering toolbox. It offers a wide variety of brushes, designed to mimic real-world tools. From calligraphy pens to paint brushes—each brush can create a unique effect. Here's what you need to know:

Brush Categories: Brushes are grouped into different categories. For lettering, you'll often use the calligraphy category.
Customizing Brushes: You can adjust the size and opacity of each brush. It's like having an infinite set of pens and brushes at your disposal!
Creating New Brushes: You can create your own brushes by importing shapes and textures. This is a more advanced feature, but it's good to know it's there!

Exploring Layers and Blend Modes

Working with layers in Procreate is like stacking transparent papers and painting on each one. Blend modes, on the other hand, change how layers interact with each other. They can make your lettering projects pop!

Adding Layers: You can add a new layer by tapping the '+' symbol in the layers panel. You might use one layer for your letter outlines and another for coloring or shading.
Blend Modes: These are found in the layers panel, and they affect how your layers blend together. For instance, the 'Multiply' mode can create a shadow effect for your letters.
Layer Masks: These allow you to hide parts of your layer without erasing them. Perfect for non-destructive editing.

Now that you're familiar with the Procreate interface, brush library, and layers, it's time to put these tools to work and start practicing your lettering skills.

Basic Lettering Skills

With a solid understanding of Procreate's features, it's time to put pen to digital paper and start crafting letters. Here are some fundamental skills you should practice for a firm foundation in Procreate lettering:

Practice Stroke Variations

Procreate's pressure sensitivity allows you to create a variety of stroke thicknesses, which is a key aspect of beautiful lettering. Here's how you can practice:

Thick downstrokes: Press harder on your stylus when you're drawing a line downwards.
Thin upstrokes: Lightly glide your stylus upwards for a thinner line.
Consistent strokes: Try to keep your downstrokes consistently thick and your upstrokes consistently thin. This might take some practice, but it's worth it!

Learn Basic Letter Forms

To become proficient in Procreate lettering, you need to understand the basic forms of letters. Here's a simple way to get started:

Start with simple letters: Letters like 'l', 'i', 'n', 'u' are great for beginners because they're made up of simple straight and curved strokes.
Break complex letters into parts: More complex letters can be broken down into simpler parts. For example, the letter 'b' can be seen as a combination of 'l' and 'u'.
Practice consistently: The key to mastering this skill is repetition. Keep practicing until your letters look natural and effortless.

Explore Letter Spacing

Letter spacing, also known as kerning, is the space between letters. It can dramatically impact the look and readability of your lettering. Here's how you can experiment with it:

Adjust using 'Cursor': In Procreate, you can adjust the spacing by selecting your text with the 'Cursor' tool and dragging the blue nodes.
Keep it balanced: The goal is to achieve a balance where no single space between letters stands out.
Practice makes perfect: Like anything else, mastering kerning requires practice. Try different letter combinations to get the hang of it.

Now that you've got the basics of Procreate lettering under your belt, you're ready to move on to more advanced techniques. Don't worry, you've got this!

Advanced Lettering Techniques

Armed with the basics, you're now ready to venture into the exciting world of advanced Procreate lettering techniques. Let's dive right in:

Master Shadow and 3D Effects

Adding depth and dimension to your lettering can make it truly stand out. Here's how you can achieve this in Procreate:

Use two layers: Create your lettering on one layer, then duplicate it. Now you've got one layer for the lettering and one for the shadow.
Offset the shadow layer: Move the shadow layer slightly off-center from your lettering layer. This creates the illusion of depth.
Experiment with colors and opacity: Try different colors for your shadow layer and adjust the opacity for different effects.

Create Custom Brushes

One of Procreate's most powerful features is the ability to create your own custom brushes. Here's how you can give it a go:

Start with a basic brush: Select a basic brush from Procreate's library, then tap on it to open the brush settings.
Tweak settings: Play around with the settings to change the brush's behaviour. You can adjust aspects like shape, grain, dynamics, and more.
Save and name your brush: Once you're happy with your custom brush, don't forget to save it and give it a unique name.

Experiment with Color and Texture

Color and texture can add character to your lettering. Here's how you can experiment with these elements in Procreate:

Use the Color Picker: Procreate's Color Picker is a powerful tool for choosing and managing colors. You can create your own color palettes too.
Try different blending modes: Blending modes can help you create interesting color effects. Try combining different colors on separate layers and playing with the blending modes.
Add texture with brushes: Procreate's brush library includes many textured brushes. You can also import textures from outside sources or even create your own.

By mastering these advanced techniques, you'll be creating stunning Procreate lettering in no time. But remember, it's not just about the tools and techniques—it's about finding your unique style and voice in the world of lettering.

Inspiration and Resources

As you progress on your Procreate lettering journey, there's nothing like a good dose of inspiration and a handful of handy resources. Let's explore:

Follow Procreate Artists

Observing the work of Procreate lettering artists can give you a fresh perspective and spark your own creativity. Discover the styles of artists like Ian Barnard, Teela Cunningham, and Stefan Kunz—they all have unique approaches to Procreate lettering. Note what you like about their work: Is it their color choice? Their style of lettering? How they use shadows or textures? All of this can serve as inspiration for your own creations.

Dig into Procreate Forums

Procreate forums are a goldmine of information. You can find tutorials, tips, and advice from fellow Procreate users. Don't be shy about asking questions—most people are more than happy to help. Plus, it's a great way to connect with the Procreate community and share your own insights.

Explore Online Lettering Courses

Online lettering courses can be a valuable resource for honing your skills. Skillshare, Udemy, and Domestika offer a variety of Procreate lettering courses, from basic letter forms to advanced techniques. You can learn at your own pace, in your own time, and apply what you learn directly to your Procreate projects.

Remember, the journey of Procreate lettering is one of continuous learning and experimentation. So, stay curious, keep exploring, and most importantly, have fun!

Creating Your Own Lettering Projects

So, you have your Procreate lettering guides, your inspiration, and your resources. Now, it's time to get hands-on and start creating your own lettering projects. Here's how to get started:

Start with Simple Projects

While the intricate lettering designs may be tempting, it's best to start simple. Think short words or phrases. This will allow you to focus on mastering the basics—stroke variations, letter forms, and spacing—without feeling overwhelmed. You might start by lettering your name, a favorite quote, or even a grocery list. Anything goes, as long as it's simple and fun.

Try Various Lettering Styles

Procreate lettering isn't a one-size-fits-all. There are countless styles to try, from classic calligraphy to modern brush script, and everything in between. Once you're comfortable with the basics, don't hesitate to explore new styles. This will not only keep your work interesting but also expand your skillset.

Finally, don't keep your creations to yourself. Sharing your work can be a great way to track your progress, receive feedback, and connect with other Procreate lettering artists. Whether it's through social media, a personal blog, or the Procreate forums, take pride in your work and let it see the light of day. After all, every masterpiece started as a work in progress.

Remember, the key to Procreate lettering is practice. The more you experiment, the more you learn. So, grab your iPad, open Procreate, and start creating. Happy lettering!

If you're just beginning your journey into Procreate lettering, don't miss the workshop 'Getting Started with Hand Lettering' by Shannon Layne. This comprehensive workshop will help you learn the basics of hand lettering and give you the confidence to create beautiful lettering pieces in Procreate.