How do I export, share and print from Procreate?

When you modify your artwork in Procreate, it saves with each step you take. This file is inside the app, however. You must share the canvas from the app in order to back it up or send it elsewhere. This article explains how to do this, along with the basics of printing from Procreate.

Share a single canvas to Photos:

This video shows you how to save a single canvas from the Procreate Gallery to the Photos app:

1. Swipe left on the canvas and tap Share

2. Select your desired image or video format and wait for the export to complete

3. Tap Save Image/Video to save that canvas to the Photos app

As in the video, the first time you attempt to save to Photos, iPadOS will ask your permission.

If you accidentally hit the wrong option, head to Settings → Apps → Procreate and ensure that Procreate has access to ‘Photos’ at the top.

Share a single canvas to Files

This video shows you how to save a single canvas from the Gallery to the Files app, in the .procreate format:

1. Swipe left on the canvas and tap Share

2. Select your desired image or video format and wait for the export to complete

3. Tap Save to Files to bring up the Files window

4. Navigate to your desired destination and tap Save

All formats can be saved to the Files app. If you are using a cloud service, we recommend using the ‘Save to Files’ option, then selecting your cloud service in the Locations section on the left.

Share multiple canvases to Photos or Files

This video shows how to save a single Stack of canvases to the Photos app:

1. Swipe left on the Stack and tap Share

2. Select your desired image format and wait for the export to complete

3. Tap Save (x) Images to save each canvas to the Photos app

This video shows how to save multiple files (including Stacks) to the Photos app:

Tap Select at the top of your Gallery

Tap on multiple canvases or Stacks to select them

Tap Share, then select your format

You can use 'Save to Files' to save to anywhere in the Files app instead of Photos (PDF, Procreate and too-high resolution files cannot be saved to Photos)

Share an artwork from within the canvas

This video demonstrates how to share a canvas to Photos, while you are working in the artwork:

1. Open Actions and select the Share tab

2. Tap on your desired format and wait for the export

3. Select Save Image/Video to save to the Photos app, and Save to Files to save to the Files app

Drag and drop files from Procreate to other apps on iPad

This video shows how to save a single image from the Gallery into the Photos app using drag and drop:

1. Tap and hold the canvas to pick it up, and continue holding down with that finger

2. Use another finger to swipe up from the bottom of your screen revealing the iPadOS Dock

3. Tap on Photos to enter it, then hover your first finger over an album until you see a green plus icon appear

4. Release your finger to export the artwork

This video demonstrates how to save multiple files including Stacks to the Files app on your iPad. It is useful for backing up your artwork:

1. Tap and hold on a canvas or Stack to pick it up, and continue holding down with that finger

2. Drag it out and into Photos or Files, then release it

Procreate will export the canvas(es) in whatever format you have chosen in Settings → Apps → Procreate → Preferred Image/File Formats.

In the next video demonstrating how to access these preferences for drag and drop, ‘Preferred File Format’ is referring to when you’re saving to Files, and ‘Preferred Image Format’ is referring to when you save to Photos:

1. Enter any canvas and tap on Actions

2. Tap on the Help tab on the far right of your top tabs in Actions. You may have to scroll across the top tabs if you do not see Help immediately.

3. Tap on Advanced settings to enter the Procreate section in iPadOS Settings → Apps

4. Scroll down by swiping upwards with your finger

5. Under the subheading 'Drag and Drop Export', you will find Preferred file format and Preferred image format

6. Tap on either of these and select your preferred format from the list

7. In the very top left of your screen, tap the small left-facing arrow with 'Procreate' adjacent, to return to Procreate

Printing from Procreate

This video demonstrates the basic process to print a file from Procreate:

1. Swipe left on it in the Gallery and select Share

2. From here, select the format you’d like to use for printing (try PDF or TIFF if you’re unsure)

3. Once it exports, tap the Print option in the share sheet to bring up the iPadOS system printing dialogue

This will allow you to print the file using a connected printer. For home printing, you’ll want an ‘ AirPrint ’-compatible printer.

If you are intending on using a external print service, it is always best to establish details such as the physical size and DPI (dots per inch) of your canvas, the colour profile, the format they’d (the printers) prefer, etc., before beginning your artwork.

Check out the sharing section of the Handbook if you need help, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about sharing and exporting.