Procreate is a popular digital illustration app for iPad that is loved by artists for its intuitive interface and versatile creative tools. While Procreate has always excelled at illustration, the ability to integrate text into designs has been limited – until now. With the latest updates, Procreate makes adding and formatting text easier than ever.
Table of Contents
Getting Started with Text in Procreate
Adding text to your Procreate projects is simple:
- Tap the wrench icon in the top left to open the Actions menu
- Select “Add” then “Add Text”
- A text box will appear on the canvas. Tap inside the box to start typing or use Apple Pencil to write
A bounding box will automatically resize around your text. You can move, scale, or rotate the text box as needed.
By default, text in Procreate is vector-based. This means you can freely edit the content without any loss of quality. When you’re happy with the text, you can rasterize it to merge with the rest of your artwork.
Formatting Text in Procreate
The text tool in Procreate gives you precise control over typography and formatting:
Choose Font & Adjust Styling
Browse Procreate’s font library or add your own fonts. Adjust font size, line height, character spacing, font weight and more. You can even apply styling like underline, strikethrough, and outline.
Align, Transform & Space Text
Align text left, center, or right within the text box. Use two finger pinch to scale text up or down. Rotate text box freely. Add letter, word, or line spacing with precision.
Convert to Shapes
Rasterize text to convert it to pixel shapes. This allows you to distort type or incorporate into paintings.
Use Color & Effects
Change text color, apply gradients, textures, glow effects and more. Use blending modes like multiply and overlay to integrate text creatively.
Tips for Adding Text to Procreate Artwork
Here are some tips to help you effectively enhance artwork with text in Procreate:
Mind the Composition
Carefully place text in blank areas instead of covering up key parts of your illustration. Be aware of how type impacts the overall composition.
Match Styles
Choose font styles and sizes that complement your artwork’s look and feel. For example, use script fonts for calligraphy or display fonts for posters.
Think in Layers
Add text on separate layers above your artwork. This lets you edit text without permanently altering original illustration work underneath.
Get Creative with Effects
Don’t just use flat color fills. Try outliner, inner glow, gradient fills, textures, and blending modes. This adds dimension to text.
Practice Handwriting
Use Apple Pencil to practice hand-lettering titles or short phrases. Procreate’s palm rejection makes this more comfortable than paper.
Work Smart: Use Actions
Save custom text styles, sizes, and settings as Actions to reuse. This way you don’t have to format from scratch each time.
Advanced Text Effects in Procreate
Once you get the hang of the basics, try out some of these advanced text effects to take your work to the next level:
Faux Calligraphy
Use the Procreate pencil or ink brushes to hand letter titles. For smooth lines, turn on Streamline under Gestures in the Procreate settings menu.
Dimensional & 3D Effects
Offset, blur or merge duplicate text layers to create dimensional letterforms that appear to have depth and texture.
Glitchy Distortion
Warp, twist and overlap copies of text layers. Apply grain and distortion effects to give type an edgy, glitched look.
Vintage Design Styles
Roughen up the edges of text, use faded vintage color washes, apply paper and grunge textures to give type an old, weathered appearance.
Graffiti Style
Take advantage of Procreate’s versatile brush engine to create graffiti style lettering right within the app. Outline letterforms with paint or splatter brushes.
The possibilities are endless when you combine Procreate’s robust text tools with its unparalleled creative flexibility. Whether you’re an artist looking to title an illustration, a designer working on posters and social content, or a hand-letterer seeking to practice your script, Procreate has you covered.
So grab your Apple Pencil, fire up Procreate, and start bringing your artwork to life with creative text elements and typography!
Tutorial: How to Create Neon Text Effect in Procreate
Let’s walk through a quick tutorial to see Procreate’s text tools in action. In this tutorial, we’ll use layers, blending modes, glow effects and a vibrant color palette to create a neon text effect.
Step 1: Add Background Texture
Start by adding an abstract colored background texture. You can paint your own or import an image.
Step 2: Add Main Text Layer
Add your main text on a separate top layer. Use a thick font like Impact or Ailerons.
Step 3: Duplicate Text to Create Outline
Duplicate the text layer. On the copy, reduce font size to create an outline effect.
Step 4: Add Glowing Outline
On the outline text layer, apply a neon glow effect from the FX menu. Change blend mode to Screen.
Step 5: Add Background Glow Layers
Add a new layer behind the text layers. Use a soft airbrush to paint glow accents in vivid neon colors.
Step 6: Final Touches
Finish by adding extra details like glares, sparks or light rays to enhance the neon look.
And that’s it! With just a few steps, you can transform simple text into eye-catching neon signs and lively display lettering.
Pro Text Tips from Procreate Experts
To take your Procreate text skills even further, check out these tutorials from top Procreate artists on YouTube:
- How to Create Smooth Text in Procreate from @KatieKlefstad – Katie shares her favorite tips for making clean, professional text for branding projects and social media content.
- Easy Text Effects in Procreate from @Makoccino – This tutorial covers 5 easy text effects like double exposure, neon, 3D and more to spice up your lettering.
- My Top 5 Procreate Tips for Lettering from @AmandaRachLee – Amanda focuses specifically on hand lettering, with tricks for beautiful brush lettering and faux calligraphy.
- How to Animate Text in Procreate from @Vezpa – Learn how to animate text and create fun motion graphics to take your designs up a notch.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create typographic designs, lettering, titles and text effects that bring impact to your Procreate artworks.
