How Much Space Does Procreate Take Up? An In-Depth Look
As a professional digital artist and iPad educator, one of the most common questions I hear is, "How much storage space do I need for Procreate?" It‘s a crucial consideration, because running out of space on your iPad while in the middle of a client project is a massive headache.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down the key factors that determine Procreate‘s storage footprint and share expert tips for making the most of your iPad‘s available space. Whether you‘re a hobbyist or a full-time freelancer, you‘ll learn how to keep Procreate running smoothly so you can focus on your creativity.
Procreate‘s Base App Size
First, let‘s look at how much space the Procreate app itself takes up. When you download Procreate from the App Store, it‘s a relatively lean 592.8 MB (as of version 5.2). However, that‘s just the starting point.
As you create new artwork within the app, each canvas you add exists as a separate file stored inside your Procreate app folder. And depending on your project‘s specifications, those individual canvas files can balloon in size very quickly.
Factors That Affect Procreate Canvas File Size
There are three main elements that determine the file size of a Procreate canvas:
1. Dimensions and DPI
When you create a new canvas, you have to specify its width, height, and DPI (dots per inch). The larger those values, the bigger the resulting canvas file. For example, a 12×12 inch canvas at 300 DPI will take up much more space than a 4×4 inch canvas at 72 DPI.
Here‘s a quick chart showing approximate file sizes for a blank Procreate canvas at different dimensions and DPIs:
| Canvas Size | 72 DPI | 150 DPI | 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4×4 inches | 0.1 MB | 0.6 MB | 2.1 MB |
| 8×8 inches | 0.5 MB | 2.1 MB | 8.3 MB |
| 12×12 inches | 1.1 MB | 4.7 MB | 18.7 MB |
| 16×16 inches | 2.0 MB | 8.3 MB | 33.3 MB |
As you can see, bumping up the resolution has an exponential effect on file size. A 12×12 300 DPI canvas takes up over 18 times more space than a 12×12 at 72 DPI.
2. Number of Layers
The second major factor that impacts a Procreate file‘s size is the number of layers it contains. Every new layer you add to a canvas increases the storage space required for that file.
Depending on your canvas dimensions and DPI, you may have anywhere from 5 to over 100 layers available. And as you fill those layers with brush strokes, images, and adjustments, the canvas file size grows.
3. Time-lapse Recording
Procreate‘s built-in time-lapse recording feature is incredibly useful for sharing your creative process or identifying areas for improvement in your technique. However, storing each frame of your drawing over time eats up space, especially for longer or more complex pieces.
You can check if time-lapse recording is enabled for a canvas by opening the Actions menu and tapping the "Video" button. If the "Time-lapse Recording" switch is green, Procreate is storing video frames as you work.
How to Check Procreate‘s Storage Usage
Now that you understand the main drivers of Procreate‘s storage needs, let‘s look at how to actually check how much space your Procreate files are taking up on your iPad.
Checking Overall App Size
To see the total amount of space the Procreate app and all its files occupy, go to the iOS Settings app, then tap "General" and "iPad Storage." Find Procreate in the list of apps and tap it to see its total size.
Analyzing Individual File Sizes
You can also check the size of individual Procreate files right within the app. In your gallery, tap "Select" and then tap a canvas thumbnail. In the sidebar that appears, you‘ll see that file‘s dimensions, layers, and size.
Real-world Storage Needs for Professional Artists
As a full-time freelance illustrator, I‘ve created hundreds of Procreate files across multiple iPads over the years. To give you a realistic example, my main work iPad has 140 Procreate files that take up just over 30 GB of its 256 GB total storage.
For most professional use cases, I recommend aiming for at least 128 GB of total iPad storage. That gives you plenty of breathing room for a large library of Procreate canvases while leaving space for the operating system and other essential apps.
If you plan to use your iPad for other storage-intensive tasks like editing 4K video or RAW photos, stepping up to a 256 GB or even 512 GB model is a smart choice. With the iPad Pro line now offering up to 2 TB configurations, data-heavy creative workflows are more feasible than ever.
Here‘s a chart to give you a general idea of how many typical 8×10 inch, 300 DPI Procreate files you could store on iPads with different storage tiers:
| iPad Model | Storage | 8×10 300 DPI Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro | 128 GB | ~1,100 files |
| iPad Pro | 256 GB | ~2,300 files |
| iPad Pro | 512 GB | ~4,700 files |
| iPad Pro | 1 TB | ~9,400 files |
| iPad Pro | 2 TB | ~18,800 files |
| iPad Air | 64 GB | ~550 files |
| iPad Air | 256 GB | ~2,300 files |
| iPad Mini | 64 GB | ~550 files |
| iPad Mini | 256 GB | ~2,300 files |
| iPad (9th gen) | 64 GB | ~550 files |
| iPad (9th gen) | 256 GB | ~2,300 files |
Keep in mind that these are estimates based on blank canvas sizes. Your actual mileage will vary based on how many layers you use and how much content is on each layer.
Maximizing Your iPad‘s Storage Space
Even if you opt for the largest available iPad model, it‘s still a good idea to be mindful of your storage consumption. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to keep your Procreate library manageable.
1. Match Canvas Size to Your Needs
One of the easiest ways to avoid overburdening your iPad storage is to tailor your canvas dimensions to each project. While it can be tempting to always create the largest, highest-resolution canvas possible, that‘s often overkill.
For quick sketches, studies, or concept art, a lower-resolution canvas is usually fine. I recommend reserving the big 16×20 inch, 300 DPI canvases for final illustrations or prints. By being judicious about your canvas sizes, you can fit more files on your iPad.
2. Use iCloud to Archive Old Projects
Apple‘s iCloud service is an excellent way to back up your Procreate files and free up space on your device. You can access iCloud right within Procreate by opening the Actions menu and tapping "Share." Choose "Share canvas via iCloud" to upload a copy of your file to the cloud.
Once your file is backed up, you can safely delete it from your iPad to reclaim that storage space. Just be sure to check that the upload was successful before removing the local copy.
3. Prune Unnecessary Layers and Time-lapses
Another good habit is periodically reviewing your Procreate files and removing any unnecessary layers or time-lapse recordings. For finished illustrations that you don‘t anticipate editing further, flattening all the layers into a single combined layer can significantly reduce the file size.
You can also batch remove time-lapse recordings from your files. Select multiple canvases in your gallery, tap the "Share" button, and choose "Remove Time-lapse." Procreate will strip out the saved video frames from each selected file.
Bonus Tip: Consider RAM and Processing Power Too
In addition to available storage space, your iPad‘s RAM and processing speed also play a role in Procreate‘s performance. This is especially true if you work with large canvases or complex files with dozens of layers.
The iPad Pro line is currently the only model that offers more than the standard 8 GB of RAM. If you opt for a 1 TB or 2 TB iPad Pro, you‘ll get a whopping 16 GB of RAM. That extra memory provides a smoother experience when zooming, panning, and working in canvases with lots of high-resolution layers.
Similarly, the iPad Pro‘s M1 chip offers a significant boost in processing power compared to the standard iPad‘s A-series chip. If you frequently push Procreate to its limits, the M1‘s added horsepower can make a noticeable difference in performance.
The Bottom Line for Procreate Storage Needs
Procreate is an incredibly powerful tool for digital artists, but it‘s important to understand its potential impact on your iPad‘s storage space. While the base app only takes up about 600 MB, the canvases you create can quickly eat up many gigabytes of space.
As a professional artist, I recommend choosing an iPad with at least 256 GB of total storage if you plan to use Procreate extensively. For those with more demanding workflows, stepping up to a 512 GB or higher model provides added flexibility.
No matter which iPad you have, being smart about matching canvas sizes to your project needs, archiving unused files to iCloud, and periodically pruning unnecessary layers and time-lapses will help you maximize your available space.
By following the tips and best practices covered in this guide, you‘ll be able to create stunning digital artwork without worrying about running out of room on your iPad.