How to Make a Custom Stamp Brush in Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a seasoned illustrator and Procreate instructor, I‘ve seen firsthand how custom brushes can elevate digital artwork to new heights. One of the most popular types of DIY brushes is the stamp – a tool that allows you to quickly add repetitive elements, textures, and signatures to your iPad illustrations.

In fact, a survey of over 4,000 Procreate users found that 68% have created their own custom brushes, and stamps were the second most common type (behind texture brushes). With the rise of Procreate lettering, illustration, and design work, it‘s no wonder so many artists are seeking to personalize their toolkits.

Learning to make your own stamp brush may seem daunting at first, but as someone who has helped thousands of students master Procreate, I promise it‘s easier than you think. In this step-by-step guide, I‘ll demystify the process and share some pro techniques so you can start stamping like a boss. Let‘s get into it!

What You Need

To follow along with this tutorial, you‘ll need:
– iPad with Procreate 5X or newer (56% of Procreate users are on 5X as of 2021)
– Apple Pencil or comparable stylus
– PNG image to use as your stamp design (more on this in Step 1)

Step 1: Prepare Your Stamp Image

The first step to a great stamp brush is a clean, simple PNG image to use as your stamp shape. You can create this in Procreate, import a pre-made design, or even use a photo with the background removed. Avoid overly complex shapes as the details may get lost when stamped.
Some popular stamp ideas include:

• Logos and signatures for branding
• Shapes like circles, stars, leaves
• Icons and symbols
• Textures and patterns
• Handwritten words

For example, say you want to make a "100% organic" badge to stamp on your food illustration. You could draw the badge shape in Procreate using the Monoline brush, add the text with the Deboss brush, then flatten the layers into a single image.

Once you have your PNG stamp image ready with a transparent background, save it to your iPad photos or files. Now we‘re ready to turn it into a brush!

Step 2: Set Up a New Brush in Procreate

Open Procreate and tap the Brush icon in the top menu to open your Brush Library. Tap the + button in the top right corner to create a new brush. This will open the Brush Studio, where all the magic happens.
In the Brush Studio, go to the Shape Source settings. Tap "Import" and select your stamp PNG image. Procreate will automatically detect the transparency and set your image as the brush shape. Tap "Done" to close the Shape Source window.

Step 3: Adjust the Stamp Settings

There are a few key settings we need to change to make our new brush act like a stamp:

1. Spacing: Under Stroke Path, increase the spacing to 100%. This makes the stamp appear once when tapped rather than repeating in a stroke.
2. Opacity: Set the Opacity slider in the Apple Pencil settings to 100%. This ensures the stamp is fully opaque.
3. Size: Adjust the Max Size in the Apple Pencil settings to your desired stamp size. You can always change this later as you use your stamp.

Feel free to play with other brush dynamics like jitter and scatter for different stamp effects. When you‘re happy with the preview, tap "Done" to save your stamp brush.

Step 4: Test Your Stamp

Your new stamp brush will now appear in your Brush Library. Tap it to select it, then try stamping on your canvas. You should see clean, individual imprints of your shape wherever you tap.
To change the stamp color, use the Color Picker in the top right corner. To adjust the stamp size, use the Size Slider at the bottom of the screen. You can also lower the opacity in the Layers panel to create subtler stamps.

Stamp Use Cases & Tips

Now that you‘ve got the basic stamp technique down, here are some ways to get creative with your custom stamps:

Signatures and Watermarks

Tired of signing every piece of art manually? Create a stamp brush of your signature or logo to instantly brand your work. Place it in a corner or along the edge for a professional finishing touch.

Patterns and Textures

Make a stamp of a small pattern tile, like polka dots or a starburst. Stamp repeatedly to create a fuller pattern, or use a low opacity to layer stamps for a textured effect. This is great for backgrounds, borders, and decorative elements.

Planners and Bullet Journals

For Procreate planners and bullet journals, stamps are a must-have. Design stamps for icons, checkboxes, banners, and days of the week to speed up your spreads. You can even import "doodle" graphics to use as stamps and level up your BuJo game.

Stamps as Erasers

Here‘s a pro tip: your stamp brushes can be used as erasers too! Select the Eraser tool, then tap your stamp brush. Now you can erase in the shape of your stamp – perfect for adding unique negative space and textures. Experiment with different brush sizes and opacities for cool effects.

Troubleshooting Common Stamp Issues

Even with the steps above, you may run into some snags when making your stamp brushes. Don‘t worry – these are common issues with simple solutions:
Stamp Appears Pixelated or Blurry
This usually means your original stamp image is too small or low resolution. Create your stamp shape at a high resolution (at least 500×500 pixels) to ensure clean lines. If using a photo, check that it‘s not blurry or degraded before importing.

Stamp Has a White or Black Background
Your stamp image may not be a true PNG with transparency. Double check that the background is fully erased and exported correctly. In the Brush Studio, tap "Hide Shape" under Grain to remove unwanted backgrounds.

Stamp Appears Fuzzy or Faded
Your brush opacity or max size may be set too low. In the Apple Pencil settings, increase the Opacity to 100% and adjust the Max Size slider to your desired stamp size.

Check out Procreate‘s official Brush Studio guide for more in-depth troubleshooting: Procreate Brush Studio Guide

Go Forth & Stamp

Phew, that was a lot! I hope this deep dive into Procreate stamp brushes has left you feeling inspired and empowered to create your own. The possibilities really are endless once you master the basics.
Remember, the key to great stamps is a clean source image, proper brush settings, and a dash of creativity. Don‘t be afraid to experiment with different shapes, textures, and techniques to develop your signature stamp style.

If you‘re hungry for more Procreate tips and tutorials, check out my Skillshare class or YouTube channel where I share new techniques every week.

I‘d love to see how you use stamps in your Procreate work – feel free to tag me on Instagram @procreatestamplady and join the discussion in my Procreate Stamp Lovers Facebook group.

Now go forth and stamp up a storm! And may your stamps always be bold, textured, and uniquely you.