Procreate

What is Procreate?

Procreate is an award-winning digital illustration and painting application designed exclusively for iPad, revolutionizing how artists create on mobile devices. Developed by Savage Interactive, an independent Australian company, Procreate has become the go-to creative tool for professional illustrators, concept artists, graphic designers, and hobbyists worldwide. Since its launch in 2011, Procreate has consistently topped the iPad App Store charts and won multiple Apple Design Awards for its intuitive interface and powerful capabilities.

What makes Procreate exceptional is its ability to deliver desktop-class creative tools in a natural, touch-first experience. The application harnesses the full power of iPad hardware, including Apple Pencil support with pressure and tilt sensitivity, to provide a drawing experience that feels remarkably like traditional media. With hundreds of customizable brushes, advanced layer systems, professional color tools, and animation capabilities, Procreate offers everything artists need to create stunning artwork without the complexity and subscription costs of traditional creative software.

Key Features

• Powerful Brush Engine: Over 200 handcrafted brushes with complete customization options and ability to create or import custom brushes
• Apple Pencil Integration: Full pressure and tilt sensitivity with palm rejection for natural drawing experience
• Layer System: Comprehensive layer support with blend modes, masks, clipping masks, and grouping
• Animation Assist: Create animations frame-by-frame with onion skinning and timeline controls
• Color Tools: Advanced color picker, palettes, color harmony, and gradient mapping
• QuickShape: Automatic shape correction for perfect circles, lines, and geometric forms
• Time-lapse Recording: Automatic recording of your entire creative process for sharing
• 3D Painting: Import and paint directly on 3D models with lighting and material controls
• Text and Typography: Add and edit text with full font support and transformation tools
• Export Options: Export to PSD, PDF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and animated GIF/MP4

What’s New in Procreate 2025

• Procreate Dreams: Companion animation app for full animation productions
• Enhanced 3D: Improved 3D model painting with better lighting and material support
• New Brush Engine: Further improvements to brush performance and customization
• Improved Layer Management: Better organization tools for complex illustrations
• Enhanced Selection Tools: More precise selection options with AI-assisted edge detection
• Performance Optimizations: Better utilization of M-series chip capabilities
• New Color Features: Expanded color harmony options and reference palettes
• Gesture Improvements: More customizable gestures for faster workflow

System Requirements

iPad Compatibility

• iPad Pro: All models (recommended for best performance)
• iPad Air: 3rd generation and later
• iPad: 6th generation and later
• iPad mini: 5th generation and later
• Operating System: iPadOS 15.4 or later
• Storage: 500 MB for app, plus space for artwork

Recommended Accessories

• Apple Pencil: 1st or 2nd generation (highly recommended)
• Screen Protector: Matte/paper-feel protector for natural drawing texture
• iPad Stand: Adjustable stand for comfortable drawing angles

iPhone Version

• App: Procreate Pocket (separate purchase)
• Compatibility: iPhone 6s and later, iOS 15.4+
• Features: Most Procreate features adapted for iPhone

How to Install Procreate

1. Purchase from App Store: Open App Store on iPad, search “Procreate,” and purchase for $12.99 (one-time payment, no subscription).
2. Download and Install: Tap Get/Install and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password. The app downloads and installs automatically.
3. First Launch Setup: Open Procreate to access the Gallery view. The app is ready to use immediately with no account creation required.
4. Connect Apple Pencil: Pair Apple Pencil via Bluetooth:

   # Apple Pencil 1st Generation
   # Plug into iPad Lightning port to pair
   
   # Apple Pencil 2nd Generation
   # Attach magnetically to iPad side to pair
   
   # Verify connection in Settings > Bluetooth
   # Configure pressure/tilt in Procreate settings

5. Explore Default Brushes: Procreate includes 200+ professional brushes organized in categories: Sketching, Inking, Drawing, Painting, Artistic, and more.
6. Import Additional Resources: Download free brush sets, color palettes, and textures from Procreate community or third-party creators via .brush and .swatches files.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• One-time purchase of $12.99 with no subscription required
• Exceptional Apple Pencil integration for natural drawing feel
• Powerful brush engine rivaling desktop applications
• Intuitive gesture-based interface designed for touch
• Automatic time-lapse recording of every artwork
• Regular free updates with major new features
• Vibrant community with free brushes and resources
• PSD export maintains layer compatibility with Photoshop
• Animation capabilities included at no extra cost
• 3D painting features unique to mobile art apps

Cons

• iPad-only (no Android, Windows, or Mac version)
• Requires iPad purchase for use (significant investment)
• Layer limits vary by iPad model and canvas size
• No cloud sync or collaboration features built-in
• Learning curve for advanced features and gestures
• No vector tools (raster-only application)

Procreate vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Procreate?

Procreate is ideal for artists who want powerful creative tools on a portable device:

• Digital Illustrators: Professional-grade tools for commercial illustration and concept art
• Comic Artists: Excellent inking brushes and layer management for comic creation
• Character Designers: Quick sketching and refined rendering in one application
• Hobbyist Artists: Accessible entry point to digital art with one-time purchase
• Social Media Artists: Time-lapse feature perfect for sharing creative process
• Students: Affordable professional tool for learning digital illustration

Consider alternatives if: You need cross-platform access (Clip Studio Paint, Fresco), require vector tools (Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer), or use Android/Windows devices (no Procreate available).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Procreate a one-time purchase?

Yes, Procreate costs $12.99 as a one-time purchase with no subscription. All updates, including major new features, are free forever. Procreate Pocket (iPhone) is a separate $5.99 purchase. Procreate Dreams (animation) is a separate app.

Do I need Apple Pencil to use Procreate?

While Procreate works with finger input, Apple Pencil is highly recommended for the full experience. Apple Pencil provides pressure sensitivity, tilt detection, and palm rejection that make drawing feel natural and precise.

Can I use Procreate files in Photoshop?

Yes, Procreate exports to PSD format maintaining layers, blend modes, and most effects. Files can be opened directly in Photoshop for further editing or integration into professional workflows.

How many layers can I use?

Layer limits depend on canvas size and iPad model. Larger canvases and older iPads support fewer layers. iPad Pro with M-series chips can handle significantly more layers. Check the layer indicator when creating a new canvas.

Is there a Procreate for Android or Windows?

No, Procreate is exclusive to Apple devices (iPad and iPhone). The developers have no plans for Android or Windows versions. Alternatives for other platforms include Clip Studio Paint, Krita, and Adobe Fresco.

Final Verdict

Procreate stands as the definitive creative application for iPad, delivering professional illustration capabilities at an unbeatable price point. The one-time $12.99 purchase provides access to tools that rival expensive desktop software, while the touch-first interface and Apple Pencil integration create a drawing experience that feels genuinely intuitive and natural.

For artists invested in the Apple ecosystem, Procreate is an essential purchase that transforms the iPad into a legitimate creative workstation. The active development, passionate community, and continuous free updates ensure the investment grows more valuable over time. While the iPad-only limitation excludes some users, those with compatible devices will find Procreate to be one of the most capable and satisfying creative tools available on any platform.