The Ultimate Guide to Printing Your Procreate Artwork

Procreate has quickly become one of the most popular apps for digital illustration, and it‘s no wonder why. With its robust brush engine, intuitive interface, and powerful layer system, Procreate makes it easy to create stunning artwork right on your iPad. But once you‘ve put the finishing touches on your masterpiece, you might be wondering how to translate that digital file into a physical print.

According to a survey by the digital art platform Curioos, 58% of digital artists sell physical prints of their work. As an artist in today‘s market, being able to offer prints is an important way to expand your reach and generate additional revenue. Thankfully, printing your Procreate artwork is a straightforward process – it just takes a bit of know-how. In this guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to do to get professional-quality prints of your digital illustrations.

Step 1: Export Your Artwork from Procreate

The first step in printing your Procreate artwork is to export it from the app. Procreate offers several file formats for exporting, each with its own advantages:

• PNG: This is the best choice for most printing needs. PNG is a lossless format, meaning it preserves all the detail and color information of your original artwork. It also supports transparency, making it a good choice if you want to print stickers, for example.

• JPEG: JPEG is a compressed file format that‘s best suited for web use. While it can be used for printing, it does apply some compression which can result in loss of quality, especially in areas with a lot of detail or subtle color gradients.

• TIFF: Like PNG, TIFF is a lossless format. It offers some additional options like support for layers and CMYK color. However, TIFF files are much larger than PNGs, so they can be cumbersome to work with.

• PDF: PDF files are versatile and can be used for both digital and print purposes. They support multiple pages and can embed fonts. However, they‘re not ideal for printing individual artworks, as they‘re more geared towards document layout.

To access the export options in Procreate, tap the wrench icon in the top-left corner of your canvas, then tap "Share" and "Export." Here, you can choose your desired file format, adjust settings like color profile and DPI (more on those in a bit), and export your file.

It‘s generally best to work in Procreate‘s native RGB color space and convert to CMYK only if your printer specifically requires it. While Procreate does offer a CMYK export option, it‘s not a true CMYK file – it‘s still an RGB file with CMYK color values. For the most accurate CMYK conversion, you‘re better off using a dedicated program like Adobe Photoshop or working directly with your printing service.

Step 2: Choose the Right Canvas Size and Resolution

To ensure your artwork looks its best when printed, it‘s important to work at a high enough resolution. Resolution is measured in pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI). The higher the resolution, the more detailed your print will be.

For most printing purposes, you‘ll want to aim for a resolution of 300 DPI at the size you want to print. So, if you‘re creating an artwork that you want to print as an 8" x 10", your canvas in Procreate should be at least 2400 x 3000 pixels (8 inches x 300 DPI = 2400 pixels, and 10 inches x 300 DPI = 3000 pixels).

Here‘s a quick reference table for common print sizes and their corresponding canvas sizes at 300 DPI:

Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. You can always work at a higher resolution if you want to print larger or if you want to have the flexibility to crop your artwork later. Just remember that working at very high resolutions will also result in larger file sizes, which can slow down performance in Procreate.

If you‘re planning to print your artwork at a standard size like 8" x 10" or 11" x 14", it‘s a good idea to create your canvas at that exact size in Procreate. This way, you can compose your artwork with the final print in mind and avoid any surprises when it comes time to print. Procreate offers a variety of preset canvas sizes to choose from, or you can create a custom size.

Step 3: Soft Proof and Calibrate Your Screen

One challenge of creating digital art for print is that the colors you see on your screen may not exactly match what comes out of the printer. This is because screens use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, while printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) model or specific pigment inks.

To get a better idea of how your artwork will translate to print, you can use Procreate‘s "Color Profile" viewer. This feature lets you preview your artwork in different color spaces, including CMYK. To access it, tap the "Actions" menu (the wrench icon), then "Canvas" and "Color Profile." Choose "CMYK" from the list of profiles to see a simulation of how your colors will look when printed.

Keep in mind that this is just a simulation and may not be 100% accurate to your specific printer and inks. However, it can give you a general sense of whether any colors will shift dramatically or lose vibrancy in the translation to print.

For even better accuracy, make sure your iPad‘s screen is properly calibrated. The colors and brightness you see on the screen can be affected by factors like ambient lighting and the age of the display. Using a hardware colorimeter or Apple‘s built-in Display Calibrator tool can help ensure that what you see is as close as possible to what you‘ll get in print.

You can access the Display Calibrator in the Settings app under "Display & Brightness." Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust your screen‘s white point and gamma. For the best results, do this in a dimly lit room and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the screen before making any changes.

Step 4: Print Your Artwork

Once you‘ve exported your file from Procreate and made any necessary color adjustments, you‘re ready to print. If you‘re printing at home, you can send the file directly to your printer from your iPad or transfer it to your computer first.

For the best quality, use a printer that supports borderless printing on high-quality matte or semi-gloss paper. Avoid glossy paper, as it can cause glare that obscures details in your artwork. Use the highest quality print settings available, and make sure to select the correct paper type in your printer‘s settings.

If you don‘t have a suitable printer at home or if you want to print your artwork at a larger size, you can use a professional printing service. Many local print shops offer fine art printing on a variety of paper types and sizes. You can also use online services like Society6, Printful, or Prints.com.

When working with a printing service, be sure to ask about their file requirements and color profiles. Many will have specific guidelines for file format, resolution, and color space to ensure the best results. They may also offer proofing options so you can see a sample of your print before committing to a larger order.

Tips for Successful Printing

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you prepare your Procreate artwork for print:

• Use high-resolution textures and brushes. If you‘re using any textures or brush effects in your artwork, make sure they‘re high enough resolution to print well. Low-resolution textures can become blurry or pixelated when printed.

• Be mindful of your edges. If your artwork has any elements that extend to the edge of the canvas, keep in mind that there may be some slight trimming during the printing process. To avoid losing any important details, consider adding a small border or "bleed" area around the edges of your artwork.

• Proof your artwork carefully. Before sending your file off to print, zoom in to 100% and carefully check for any stray marks, unintended transparencies, or other issues. It‘s also a good idea to proofread any text in your artwork for spelling and grammatical errors.

• Do a test print. If you‘re printing at home or if you have the option to order a single proof from your printing service, it‘s always a good idea to do a test print before committing to a larger order. This will give you a chance to see how your artwork translates to physical media and make any necessary adjustments.

• Consider your paper choice. The type of paper you choose for your print can have a big impact on the final result. In general, smoother, heavier-weight papers will give you the sharpest and most vibrant prints. Matte paper can help minimize glare and give your artwork a softer look, while semi-gloss or luster finishes can add a bit of shine and make colors pop.

• Display your work properly. To ensure your prints look their best, display them behind glass or acrylic to protect them from dust, moisture, and UV rays. You can also use acid-free mat board or mounting tape to prevent your prints from wrinkling or warping over time.

Conclusion

Printing your digital artwork can seem daunting at first, but with a bit of preparation and attention to detail, you can achieve stunning results. By following the steps outlined in this guide – exporting your artwork from Procreate, choosing the right canvas size and resolution, soft proofing your colors, and carefully selecting your print settings or service – you‘ll be well on your way to creating professional-quality prints of your digital masterpieces.

Remember, the key to successful printing is to think ahead and work with the end result in mind. By considering factors like resolution, color space, and paper choice from the beginning of your creative process, you can ensure that your artwork looks just as good in print as it does on your iPad‘s screen.

Printing your artwork is a fantastic way to share your creativity with the world and potentially generate some extra income as an artist. Plus, there‘s nothing quite like seeing your digital creations come to life in physical form. So go ahead, fire up Procreate, and start creating – your next masterpiece is just waiting to be printed!