Adding text in Procreate is straightforward, but getting clean, editable, and visually balanced results takes a few extra steps.
This guide covers the full process, from inserting a text layer to adjusting typography, import settings, and workflow tips that help your designs stay sharp.
How to add text in Procreate
To add text in Procreate, open your canvas, tap the Actions menu, choose Add, then select Add Text.
A text box appears on the canvas, and you can type immediately using the keyboard.
Once the text box is active, you can move it, resize it, and open the editing panel to change the font, size, alignment, and style.
This feature is built into Procreate on iPad and is useful for social graphics, quotes, mockups, labels, and digital lettering compositions.
Step-by-step: inserting text on a Procreate canvas
- Open your artwork or create a new canvas.
- Tap the wrench icon to open Actions.
- Go to Add.
- Select Add Text.
- Type your text in the box that appears.
- Tap outside the text box when finished.
After you add the text, a transform box appears around it.
Use the blue handles to resize the text object, or drag it into position.
For cleaner layout work, zoom in and align the text with other design elements before finalizing the composition.
How to edit font, size, and formatting
Tap the text layer once and choose Edit Style to open Procreate’s text options.
This panel lets you control the most important typography settings without leaving the canvas.
Common text settings in Procreate
- Font: Choose from installed typefaces and imported fonts.
- Size: Increase or reduce the text scale numerically.
- Kerning: Adjust spacing between individual letters.
- Leading: Change spacing between lines in multi-line text.
- Tracking: Alter the spacing across the entire text block.
- Alignment: Left, center, right, and justified alignment options.
- Style: Bold, italic, underline, and other available formatting tools.
These controls make Procreate useful for more than handwritten art.
You can build simple typographic layouts, polished captions, and presentation-style graphics when the settings are tuned correctly.
Can you import custom fonts into Procreate?
Yes.
Procreate supports custom fonts through the iPad’s file system and compatible font files such as .otf and .ttf.
If you use brand fonts, installing them before you begin can save time and help keep your designs consistent.
To add a font, save the file to your iPad, open it in a font manager or compatible app, and install it if needed.
Once the font is available on the device, it should appear in Procreate’s font list the next time you open the text editor.
Custom fonts are especially useful for:
- Brand identity graphics
- Instagram quote posts
- Product mockups
- Event flyers and digital invitations
- Logo concept presentations
How to keep text editable in Procreate
Text remains editable as long as it stays on a live text layer.
That means you should avoid converting it to a rasterized layer until you are certain the wording, font, and placement are final.
If you need to move or adjust the text later, keep it separate from painted elements on its own layer.
This makes revisions easier and prevents accidental damage to the typography.
Best practices for editable text layers
- Rename the text layer so it is easy to identify.
- Keep text above background art for visibility.
- Duplicate the layer before major edits.
- Group text layers for multi-part layouts.
- Save a version with live text before flattening anything.
When should you rasterize text?
Rasterizing converts the text into pixels, which stops further font edits but can be useful in some workflows.
This is helpful when you want to apply brushes, distortions, or detailed effects that do not work well on live text.
Rasterize only after you have confirmed the final spelling and layout.
If you plan to scale the design significantly, keep a backup of the editable version first, since raster text can lose sharpness if enlarged too much.
How to make text look sharper in Procreate
Text in Procreate can appear soft if the canvas is too small or the layer is scaled up excessively.
For the sharpest results, start with a large enough canvas and use native resolution whenever possible.
Tips for crisp text quality
- Use a higher-resolution canvas from the beginning.
- Avoid enlarging text far beyond its original size.
- Choose clean fonts with strong outlines.
- Keep text on a separate layer from painted textures.
- Export at full resolution when saving the final image.
If you are creating graphics for print, use a canvas size that matches the final output.
For digital use, consider the platform’s dimensions so the text stays legible on phones, tablets, and desktop screens.
How to move, resize, and align text
Procreate’s transform tool lets you move text precisely.
After adding a text layer, tap the arrow icon to enter transform mode, then drag the text where you want it.
For alignment, use visual guides, symmetry tools, or your own reference grid.
Procreate does not function like a full desktop layout app, so manually checking spacing is important for polished composition.
If your text needs exact positioning, zoom in and compare margins on both sides of the canvas.
What to do if Add Text is not working
If you cannot find the Add Text option, check that your Procreate app is updated.
Text features are available in newer versions, and older installations may not include the same tools.
Other troubleshooting steps include restarting the app, confirming that your Apple Pencil or touch input is responsive, and making sure your canvas is not lagging due to extremely large file sizes.
If the text tool still behaves unexpectedly, reinstalling the app is usually a last resort after backing up your artwork.
Practical ways to use text in Procreate
Knowing how to add text in Procreate opens up many design use cases beyond simple captions.
The tool is useful for fast, clean, and flexible text placement inside illustration workflows.
- Handmade quote art: Combine typed text with hand-drawn flourishes.
- Planner pages: Add headers, dates, and labels.
- Social media graphics: Build on-brand posts with clear messaging.
- Mockups: Place temporary copy into product visuals.
- Education materials: Create diagrams, labels, and simple instructional assets.
For best results, pair text layers with thoughtful spacing, strong contrast, and a font that matches the tone of the artwork.
That combination matters more than decorative effects when readability is the goal.
Frequently useful text workflow tips
A simple workflow can make Procreate text editing much easier, especially on complex canvases.
Keep your main message, decorative elements, and background art separated so edits stay organized.
- Draft the copy before opening Procreate.
- Test several fonts before settling on one.
- Use duplicate layers to compare layout options.
- Check spelling before rasterizing.
- Export a PSD or high-resolution image if you need to continue editing elsewhere.
For content creators, designers, and digital artists, these habits reduce mistakes and make revisions faster.
They also help you maintain cleaner file organization when working across multiple versions of the same project.
