Procreate Printing Guide: Steps to Print Your Artwork
Contents
1. Get Acquainted with Procreate
2. Begin Your Artwork
3. Perfect Your Artwork
4. Prepare for Printing
5. Choose the Right Printer
6. Print Your Artwork
Whether you're an art hobbyist or a seasoned professional, being able to print your digital art is like the cherry on top of a well-iced cake. This guide is here to walk you through the process of printing from Procreate, an app loved by artists worldwide for its intuitive interface and robust toolkit. We'll take it step by step, from navigating the Procreate interface, to perfecting and preparing your artwork, and finally, to printing. By the end, you'll be well-equipped to print your Procreate masterpieces with ease and confidence.
1. Get Acquainted with Procreate
If you're new to Procreate, don't worry. The app is designed to be user-friendly, but like any new tool, it can take a little time to become familiar with it. Let's start with exploring the interface and understanding the basic tools and layers.
Explore the Interface
When you open Procreate, you'll see a clean, minimalist interface that's easy on the eyes. Here's what you need to know:
- The Gallery View is your main workspace where your artworks are stored.
- The Canvas is where you'll do your drawing.
- The Brush, Eraser, Layers, and Colors are located on the right side of the screen.
- The Actions menu, located on the top left, lets you do things like sharing, printing, and managing your canvas.
Learn to Use Tools
Procreate comes packed with tools that make digital art a breeze. Here are some basics to get you started:
- Brushes: Procreate offers over 130 brushes. You can also create your own or import from other artists.
- Smudge: This tool lets you blend colors on your canvas.
- Eraser: You can use it as it is, or choose any brush style to erase with that texture.
- Layers: Procreate supports layering, which means you can draw on different layers without affecting others. This is a game-changer for complex artworks.
Understand Layers
Layers in Procreate are like transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. Each layer holds a part of your drawing that you can edit independently. This enables you to experiment with your artwork without the fear of making irreversible changes. Here's how to make the most of layers:
- To create a new layer, tap the Layers button and then the + button.
- You can hide, duplicate, delete, or merge layers by swiping left on the layer.
- Changing the opacity of a layer can create interesting effects.
- Remember: when printing from Procreate, all visible layers will be printed. So, make sure to hide any layers you don't want to include in the final print.
2. Begin Your Artwork
Now that you're familiar with the Procreate interface and its tools, it's time to dive into creating your own artwork. From choosing the right canvas to picking your brushes and starting your drawing, here's what you need to know to start your artistic journey in Procreate.
Choose a Canvas
Choosing the right canvas is the first step towards creating your masterpiece. Procreate offers a range of pre-set canvas sizes, from small and medium sizes perfect for web use, to large sizes meant for high-resolution printing. You can also create a custom canvas size. Remember, the larger the canvas, the more detail you can add, but it also requires more of your device's resources. So choose wisely!
Pick Your Brushes
One of the best things about Procreate is its vast selection of brushes. Whether you're looking to create a watercolor effect, sketch a portrait, or create digital calligraphy, there's a brush for that. You can also adjust the settings of each brush to match your specific needs. And if you can't find the perfect brush, you can always create your own or import brushes from other artists. Remember, experimentation is key to finding what works best for you!
Start Drawing
Now comes the fun part—starting your drawing. With your canvas set and your brushes picked, it's time to let your creativity flow. Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques and tools. Use layers to separate different elements of your artwork and make adjustments easy. And remember, there's no right or wrong in art—only what brings your vision to life!
3. Perfect Your Artwork
Once you've laid down the foundation of your artwork, the next step in your Procreate journey involves refining your piece. This is where you get to fine-tune the details, experiment with layer effects, apply filters, and even add text. Let's walk through each step.
Use Layers Effectively
Layers are your best friend when it comes to organizing and editing your artwork. They allow you to work on individual parts of your drawing without affecting the rest. You can also adjust the opacity of each layer, blend them together, or even change their order. This is particularly useful when you're experimenting with color combinations or trying out different composition ideas. So go on, layer to your heart's content!
Apply Filters
Filters can add a whole new dimension to your Procreate artwork. Want to add a touch of vintage charm to your piece? Try the sepia filter. Looking to create a dreamy effect? The Gaussian blur might be your go-to. Filters can be applied to a single layer or the entire canvas, giving you the flexibility to tweak and tune until you achieve the perfect look.
Add Text
Adding text to your artwork can help communicate your message more effectively. Whether it's the title of your piece, an inspiring quote, or a fun caption, Procreate makes it easy to add and customize text. You can choose from a variety of fonts, adjust the size and spacing, and even apply text effects like drop shadow or glow. Remember to keep your text legible and in harmony with your overall composition.
4. Prepare for Printing
Now that your masterpiece is complete, it's time to prepare it for its debut in the physical world. Printing from Procreate involves a few key steps to ensure your digital art translates well into print. Let's dive into it.
Select Print Quality
Quality matters when it comes to printing your artwork. In Procreate, you can select the print quality based on the resolution of your image. The higher the resolution, the more detailed your print will be. However, remember that higher resolution files are larger and may take longer to print. It's all about finding the right balance between quality and efficiency.
Manage Color Profiles
Ever printed an image only to realize the colors look completely different on paper? That's where color profiles come in. They help ensure that the colors you see on your screen match what comes out of your printer. Procreate supports color management, allowing you to choose the right color profile for your printer. This way, those vibrant blues and fiery reds will look just as stunning on paper as they did on your screen.
Finalize the Layout
Last but not least, you'll want to finalize your layout before hitting the print button. This includes checking your margins, making sure your artwork is properly aligned, and confirming the size of your print. It might be tempting to rush this step in your excitement to see your printed artwork, but a little patience here can save you from disappointing print results. Remember, good things take time!
5. Choose the Right Printer
Not all printers are created equal, especially when it comes to printing artwork from Procreate. The printer you choose can make all the difference between a vibrant, high-quality print and a dull, low-quality one. So how do you pick the right one? Let's break it down.
Understand Printer Specs
Printer specifications can be a bit tricky to understand, but they're super important. Specs like DPI (dots per inch) and color accuracy can impact how your artwork turns out. High DPI printers can deliver more detailed prints, while printers with good color accuracy can reproduce your artwork's colors faithfully. You don't need to be a tech wiz to understand these specs—just remember, higher DPI and good color accuracy equals better print quality.
Pick the Right Paper
Believe it or not, the paper you choose can impact the final look of your print. Glossy paper can make colors pop, but it might also reflect light and make your print hard to see from certain angles. Matte paper, on the other hand, doesn't have this issue, but it might not make your colors as vibrant. Experiment with different types of paper to see which one you prefer.
Decide on Ink Type
Ink type is another important factor to consider when printing from Procreate. Pigment-based inks are known for their longevity and color stability, while dye-based inks can deliver bright, vibrant colors. The choice between the two largely depends on what you value more—long-lasting prints or vibrant colors. It's all part of the art of printing!
6. Print Your Artwork
And now, the moment you've been waiting for—printing your artwork! After all your hard work designing, perfecting and prepping, it's time to bring your digital art to life. Here's how to do it.
Configure Print Settings
Before you hit that print button, there are a few settings you'll want to check. First, ensure your printer settings match the paper type you've chosen. Then, set your print quality. Usually, the higher the quality, the slower the print, but the result is worth it. Finally, check your color settings. If your printer supports it, use the color profile you set up in Procreate. This way, your print's colors will match your digital artwork as closely as possible.
Start the Print Process
Once you're happy with your settings, it's time to print. If your printer has a preview feature, use it to check how your print will look. If everything looks good, go ahead and start the print process. Be patient—good things take time!
Check the Final Product
Once your print is ready, it's time for the final step: checking the final product. Look at your print in good light and check for any issues. If something doesn't look right, don't worry. It's all part of the process. You might need to adjust your settings and try again. Remember, every artist tweaks their work until it's just right. Printing from Procreate is no different—it's an art in itself!
If you've enjoyed learning about how to print your artwork using Procreate, why not take your skills even further by exploring animation? Check out the workshop 'Animating with Procreate and Photoshop' by Nyanza. This workshop will teach you how to bring your artwork to life using both Procreate and Photoshop, adding a new dimension to your creative projects.