What DPI Means in Procreate
If you want to understand how to change DPI in Procreate, it helps to know what DPI actually controls.
DPI, or dots per inch, is a print resolution setting that influences how large your artwork can be printed at a given quality level.
In Procreate, DPI is tied to the canvas, along with pixel dimensions.
That means changing DPI is not the same as magically increasing detail.
The relationship between pixels, physical print size, and resolution is what matters most.
Procreate is a raster-based drawing app, so your artwork is built from pixels rather than vectors.
Because of that, the best DPI choice depends on whether you are creating digital art, illustrations for print, or artwork that may later need resizing.
How to Change DPI in Procreate
You change DPI when you create a new canvas or by editing an existing canvas in Procreate.
The exact steps are straightforward, but the result depends on your canvas size and pixel dimensions.
Change DPI when creating a new canvas
- Open Procreate and tap the plus icon in the Gallery.
- Select a canvas preset or create a custom size.
- Enter the width and height in inches, centimeters, or pixels, depending on your setup.
- Set the DPI value in the canvas settings.
- Save the canvas preset if you want to reuse it later.
When you set a higher DPI, Procreate uses more pixels for the same physical size, which is useful for print.
If you set a lower DPI, the same number of pixels will cover a larger printed area, but with less sharpness.
Adjust DPI in an existing canvas
- Open the artwork in Procreate.
- Tap Actions, then Canvas, then Crop and Resize.
- Enable Resample if you want Procreate to add or remove pixels based on the new dimensions.
- Change the DPI value and review the pixel dimensions.
- Apply the changes only after confirming the size and quality are correct.
This is an important step because changing DPI without understanding resampling can affect image quality.
If you increase DPI on a canvas with too few pixels, the artwork may not become truly sharper.
Why DPI Matters for Print Quality
DPI is one of the most important settings for print design in Procreate because printers need enough pixel information to reproduce smooth edges, readable text, and fine detail.
A canvas that looks great on an iPad may still print poorly if its resolution is too low.
For most high-quality print work, 300 DPI is the standard target.
This resolution is widely used for posters, flyers, book illustrations, and art prints because it balances file size and print sharpness.
Lower DPI values can still work in some situations, such as large banners viewed from a distance.
Higher DPI values may be useful for detailed artwork, but they also increase file size and can slow down performance on large canvases.
- 300 DPI: best general-purpose print standard
- 150 DPI: acceptable for some large-format prints
- 72 DPI: mainly used for screen display, not professional print
How DPI Differs from Pixel Dimensions
Many artists confuse DPI with pixel dimensions, but they are not the same.
Pixel dimensions determine the actual amount of image data in your canvas, while DPI determines how that pixel data is distributed across physical space when printed.
For example, a 3000 x 3000 pixel image at 300 DPI will print much smaller than the same image at 150 DPI, but the pixel data does not change unless you resample it.
This is why file planning matters before you begin drawing.
Procreate always works best when you start with the final use case in mind.
If you know your art will be printed at 8 x 10 inches, you can create a canvas at that exact size and choose the proper DPI from the beginning.
Best DPI Settings for Common Procreate Projects
The right resolution depends on where your art will live.
Choosing a DPI based on the final output helps prevent blurry prints and oversized files.
Digital artwork for screens
If your work is meant for Instagram, web banners, online portfolios, or social media, the standard screen workflow usually does not require a high print DPI.
In many cases, pixel dimensions matter more than DPI because screens display images by pixels, not physical inches.
For web-focused artwork, use a canvas size that matches your platform’s pixel requirements and export in a compressed format such as PNG or JPEG depending on transparency needs.
Illustrations for printing
For prints, stationery, art books, posters, and client deliverables, use 300 DPI whenever possible.
This is the safest setting for most professional print production workflows.
If you plan to sell prints, create your canvas at the final print size or larger.
That gives you enough room for quality control and avoids unexpected softness after export.
Large-format designs
When designing for banners, signs, or trade show graphics, the required DPI may be lower because viewers see them from farther away.
In these cases, 150 DPI can be enough, but always confirm with the printer.
Some print shops also work with specified pixel dimensions rather than DPI alone, especially for wide-format work.
Ask for their exact specifications before starting.
Does Changing DPI Improve Image Quality?
Changing DPI in Procreate does not automatically improve quality.
If the canvas does not contain enough pixels, raising the DPI only changes the relationship between pixels and physical size.
Quality improves only when the artwork has enough pixel data for the intended output.
That is why professional workflows focus on creating the correct canvas size first, then setting the right DPI.
If you need more detail later, you may be able to enlarge the canvas with resampling, but this can soften edges or introduce artifacts.
For best results, start with a large enough canvas from the beginning.
Procreate Settings That Affect Output
DPI is only one part of print readiness.
Several other Procreate settings and workflow choices can affect how your artwork looks when exported.
- Canvas size: larger pixel dimensions give you more flexibility
- Color profile: choose RGB for most digital work and the correct profile for print workflows
- Brush behavior: some brushes reveal resolution limits faster than others
- Layer count: larger canvases reduce the number of layers Procreate can support
- Export format: PNG, PSD, TIFF, and PDF each serve different production needs
Procreate’s layer limit changes depending on canvas dimensions and device memory.
Higher DPI canvases often reduce the number of available layers, so there is always a tradeoff between resolution and workflow flexibility.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Artists who are learning how to change DPI in Procreate often run into the same issues.
Avoiding these mistakes will save time and help your work look more professional.
- Starting with a canvas that is too small for print
- Confusing DPI with screen resolution
- Increasing DPI after finishing the artwork instead of planning ahead
- Ignoring the printer’s required specifications
- Using low-resolution reference images inside a high-resolution canvas
If your source images are low quality, the final artwork can still suffer even when the canvas DPI is set correctly.
Every element you place on the canvas needs to match the intended output quality.
How to Check Whether Your Canvas Is Print Ready?
Before exporting, verify the physical size, DPI, and pixel dimensions together.
A canvas can be technically high DPI but still too small in overall pixel count for the intended print size.
Check the artwork dimensions in Procreate and compare them with your final print target.
If the size is correct and the DPI is at least 300 for standard print, you are usually in a good position.
It also helps to zoom in and inspect edges, lettering, and intricate details.
If they already look rough on the canvas, they will likely look worse in print.
When to Use Procreate’s Canvas Presets
Canvas presets are useful if you regularly create work at the same DPI.
They reduce setup time and help you keep consistent print settings for recurring projects like greeting cards, portrait commissions, or social media templates.
Save presets for common outputs such as square prints, A4 illustrations, or standard poster sizes.
That way, you can start each project with the correct resolution instead of adjusting it later.
For professional workflows, keeping a small library of presets can also reduce mistakes when working with deadlines or multiple client formats.
Final Notes on Using DPI Effectively
Knowing how to change DPI in Procreate is useful, but the real advantage comes from planning your canvas around the final output.
DPI, pixel dimensions, and print size work together, so changing one setting without considering the others can lead to unexpected results.
For most artists, the safest approach is simple: set the canvas size first, use 300 DPI for standard print work, and confirm printer requirements before starting detailed illustration.
