Comprehensive guide: How to use Procreate for tattoos

4. How to create canvas templates for different tattoo stencils

To save time in your tattoo design process, create all the stencil sizes you would typically use and save them in your Gallery. Make sure they’re all set at a resolution of 300 DPI. Here are some examples:

5. Understanding the Procreate interface for tattoo artists 

Get familiar with Procreate’s interface—think of it like your digital tattoo workstation. The top bar holds your brushes, just like your needle configurations (liners, shaders, magnums, etc.) and wipes. The sidebar is your quick-access tool for switching between fineline and broad strokes. Layers? They’re your digital stencil sheets.

Gallery 

• This is where you sort and stack your designs by project or client.

Actions Menu (Wrench icon) 

• Everything starts here—it’s your control center.
• Add photos, text, photos, or files to your canvas.
• Use it to Cut, Copy, Paste, Export, Share, or create Time-lapse videos.
• Canvas > Symmetry > Drawing Guide: This is a powerful tool for tattoo artists, especially when creating mandalas, mirrored designs, symmetrical images, or body placements (like chest pieces or forearm tattoos). For a better understanding, watch how to mirror in Procreate for symmetrical drawings.

Smudge Tool (Finger icon)

• Pick any brush in the Brush Library to blend and soften lines or shading.
• Use the Smudge Tool to blur or create smooth gradients or mixed tones.
• Adjust the smudge opacity for subtle or bold effects.

Eraser Tool (Eraser icon)

• Lets you fade, clean up, or correct designs easily.
• Use the Opacity slider to control intensity.

Layers (Two overlapping squares)

• Layers let you build your design step by step, like tracing paper.
• Tap the Layers icon to add, move, lock, or delete a layer.

Color Tools (Color dot)

• Tap to open the color menu.
• Use the Classic Picker for hue, saturation, and brightness.
• Try Color Harmony for matching tones.
• Drag-and-drop to fill areas quickly.
• Save and share custom palettes.

Brush Size & Opacity

• Use the sliders on the side of the canvas to adjust the Brush Size thickness (top slider) and Opacity (bottom slider).
• Tap the slider to enter specific values.

6. Which Procreate gestures can speed up your workflow?

You can speed up your tattoo design process by just mastering a few key gestures in Procreate, focusing more on your tattoo artistry. Here are simple canvas gestures every tattoo artist should know:

• Undo: Tap the canvas with two fingers on the screen to undo the last action.
• Two-finger layer tap: To adjust a layer’s opacity or transparency quickly, double-tap the layer with two fingers and drag the slider to the transparency percentage you want.
• Redo: Tap the canvas with three fingers to redo what you just undid.
• Zoom In/Out: Pinch two fingers to zoom in or expand two fingers to zoom out the view.
• Rotate Canvas: Twist two fingers to rotate the canvas. This is great for adjusting your wrist angle while lining.
• QuickShape: To draw a perfect line, circle, or shape in Procreate, keep your finger or pen pressed down on the canvas when drawing, and it will automatically snap into a perfect circle, line, arc, or square—a great trick for clean stencil work.

7. How to benefit from using Procreate’s Layers for tattoo design

How to use Procreate to organize tattoo artwork layers

Keep your tattoo design clean and editable by organizing your layers—use separate ones for sketching, linework, color, and shading. Label them clearly to stay non-destructive and make adjustments easy.

• Reference images are kept on their own layer with low opacity.
• Sketch: A rough sketch or outline or initial idea.
• Linework: Clean, precise lines for the final tattoo.
• Color: Layer for coloring in the tattoo piece.
• Shading: Adding depth, texture, and color on separate layers, allowing for easy adjustments without affecting the linework.

Quick Procreate layer actions at your fingertips

When you swipe left on a layer in the Layers panel, you’ll see three options:

1. Lock: Prevents the layer from being edited. It’s great for protecting completed linework, stencils, or reference layers from accidental edits.
2. Duplicate: Instantly makes a copy of the layer. It’s helpful for creating backup versions, experimenting with color, or making slight variations (e.g. different shading styles).
3. Delete: Permanently removes the layer. Be cautious; once deleted, it’s gone forever—unless you tap with two fingers immediately to Undo.

Layer Options tools every tattoo artist should know 

Tap the layer thumbnail (not the name) to open the Layer Options menu. This brings up a range of helpful tools perfect for tattoo artists—whether you’re creating custom designs or prepping stencils. Here’s a quick overview of how these tools can ease your workflow:

• Rename: Tap to label your layers.
• Select isolates everything drawn on that layer. This is useful if you want to move, scale, or adjust the designed part. 
• Clear instantly erases all content from that layer. 
• Alpha Lock lets you shade or color inside the existing linework only. It’s excellent for recoloring outlines or adding soft shading to tattoo fills without going outside the lines.
• Reference: Keeps your line work visible in the reference window while adding shading on a separate layer.
• Merge Down merges the selected layer with the one below it. It’s helpful to keep duplicates before merging.

How to color tattoo art using the Reference layer option in Procreate

Reference layers in Procreate are game-changing for tattoo artists. This feature streamlines the workflow and helps you create clean stencils, precise shading, and effortless color fills without manually selecting each area. To make the most of this feature, set your ‘Linework’ layer as the Reference layer:

1. Tap the thumbnail of your ‘Linework‘ layer.
2. Select Reference from the menu—look for the small Reference tag under the layer name.
3. Add a New Layer underneath by tapping the + icon.
4. Use ColorDrop (drag and drop) to fill areas; the linework above acts as a boundary, even though the color is applied to a separate layer.

This approach keeps your outlines and color neatly separated, making edits clean and easy.

Why use the Alpha Lock layer option for tattoo design?

Alpha Lock in Procreate locks the transparent parts of a layer so you can paint, shade, or edit only inside the existing linework. It’s perfect for clean fills or gradients, coloring inside shapes, and refining your designs.

• Say you want red outlines for a traditional tattoo style. Use Alpha Lock on your ‘Linework‘ layer, and then brush or ColorDrop to change the color only of the existing lines. There’s no need to redraw! 
• Use Alpha Lock on a solid-shaped layer and brush it in soft shadows or gradients without spilling it outside the edge. Add stipple shading or texture brushes—Alpha Lock keeps them clean.
• Always keep linework and fills on separate layers—Alpha Lock gives you more power when they’re clean and isolated.

How to activate Alpha Lock

You can activate Alpha Lock in two quick ways. You can also disable Alpha Lock the same way you turned it on if you want to work outside the shape again.

Method 1: From the Layers Menu

1. Tap the Layers icon.
2. Tap the layer thumbnail.
3. Tap Alpha Lock from the menu. A checkerboard background appears behind the thumbnail (that means it’s active).

Method 2: With a two-finger swipe

On the layer you want to lock, do a two-finger swipe right. You’ll see the checkerboard background appear—Alpha Lock is on.

8. How can tattoo artists use Procreate’s Blend Modes for tattoo design?

What are Blend Modes and how can you access them?

Blend Modes are the modes that control how one layer interacts with the layers beneath it. So, instead of simply laying one layer on top of the other, you can blend them into one another in unique ways. Blend Modes are good for adding realistic shading, glows, or rich textures to your tattoo designs.

To access Blend Modes, tap the layer thumbnail. Select N (Normal), which opens the Blend Mode menu. Scroll through the mode options to see the effect each mode has on your design.

Popular Blend Modes for tattoo design

• Multiply: Great for shading. It darkens your base colors without affecting the outline—good for building soft, layered shadows. Use Multiply when placing a stencil or sketch layer over your design.
• Screen or Add: Perfect for highlights or glow effects, especially on color tattoos or illustrative styles. These modes lighten the base and can simulate reflected light on the skin.
• Overlay or Soft Light: Enhance the color vibrancy or add subtle tone variations without upsetting the base artwork—useful for building up realistic depth.
• Color: Used to recolor grayscale tattoos or to apply a color tint over existing linework while keeping the detail visible.

Always use Blend Modes on separate layers, keeping your work clean and editable. Lower the Opacity to help it blend more naturally if the effect is too strong. You can quickly adjust a layer’s opacity by double-tapping the layer with two fingers and dragging the slider.     

9. How to use Procreate Brushes to mimic tattoo machines

When it comes to digital tattoo design, choosing the right Procreate brushes that replicate the look and feel of real tattoo machines can make all the difference. Tattooing relies on clean lines and smooth shading. Your liner brushes should help you achieve crisp outlines, while the shader brushes build up gradients, whip shade, or stipple your tattoo design work.

How to adjust Procreate Brush settings

To customize Procreate brushes, you have a few quick adjustments available from the left slider:

• Top slider: Adjusts Brush Size
• Bottom slider: Controls Opacity

For complete brush control and access to the Brush Studio:

1. Open the Brush Library: Tap the paintbrush icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select a Brush.
3. Then tap the brush image to open the Brush Studio.
4. To customize Procreate tattoo brushes, use the panels on the left to modify specific brush behaviors. You can then test changes on the preview canvas to the right. Once you’re satisfied, tap Done to save.

How to use the Brush Panel settings for customizing tattoo brushes

To create tattoo brushes that feel natural and perform like real tattoo machines, you’ll need to experiment with Procreate’s Brush Studio to fine-tune every aspect of a brush.

How to customize default Procreate brushes for tattooing

Let’s put together a few Procreate tattoo brushes that replicate the feel of tattoo machines using Procreate’s built-in brush sets. For even more variety, consider downloading Procreate tattoo brushes from Envato. As you build your custom brush set, be sure to keep the following characteristics in mind:

• Linework Brush: Crisp, minimal spacing, high stabilization, no grain.
• Dotwork Brush: Custom shape and jitter, textured grain.
• Whip Shading Brush: Tapered stroke, strong pressure curve.
• Soft Shading Brush: Large, low-opacity, smooth blending.

Liner brushes

1. Technical Pen (Inking folder) Great for clean outlines. Set Stabilization > StreamLine Amount to 56% for steadier lines. Then adjust Apple Pencil > Size > Max.
2. Fine Tip (Inking folder) Mimics a 3RL (3 round liner). Perfect for fine details and small text. Lower the brush size for extra control.
3. Monoline (Calligraphy folder)  produces a consistent line width, ideal for stencils or bold traditional work. Customize Pressure and StreamLine to suit your hand.

Shading brushes

1. Soft Blend (Airbrushing folder). Great for smooth black-and-gray shading, especially on low opacity. Adjust pressure sensitivity and opacity for soft gradients.
2. Medium Brush (Airbrushing folder). Less diffused than Soft Brush, it gives more control while still smooth. Suitable for filling and soft whip-style shading.
3. Flicks (Spraypaints folder). Dot scatter for pepper shading. Use at low opacity for subtle texture buildup.
4. Peppermint brush (Sketching folder) for stipple shading: Try modifying the (Stroke path  > Spacing: 25%, Jitter: 45%, Falloff 22%, Rendering > Blend Mode > Multiply).

10. Color theory & application: Bring your tattoo designs to life

How to use Procreate’s Color Panel as your digital ink station

Consider the color wheel as your virtual ink cap setup or color mixing station. It’s a powerful tool once you know how to use it. Here are a couple of quick tips:

• Double-tap a color on the color disc to snap it to the nearest pure version, like pure black, pure white, or a fully saturated hue.
• To grab a color from your canvas, tap and hold on the area you want, and then release. The Eyedropper Tool will pick it up instantly.

Color theory in tattooing isn’t about rules; it’s about strategy. Whether you’re working in full color or black and grey, learn how to get the most out of your digital palette and create tattoos that stand the test of time. Use the Color Wheel to build harmony in your tattoo designs:

• Complementary Colors (opposites on the wheel): Great for bold contrast (e.g. blue/orange, red/green)
• Analogous Colors (next to each other): Perfect for smooth blends and realism (e.g. blue/teal/purple)
• Triadic Colors (three evenly spaced): Balanced and eye-catching (e.g. red/yellow/blue)

In Procreate, you can easily use Reference layers or the Color Harmony tab (under the color panel) to explore these combos.

How to build custom color palettes

You can start by building a realistic color palette that reflects your ink and skin colors. This will help you stay consistent and speed up your process. Tap the Color icon, and then select Palettes at the bottom. Create separate palettes for different tattoo styles or skins. Or you can head to your favorite ink brand website and see if they offer a free digital palette of their inks.

• Traditional: Bold primaries with high contrast (bright reds, deep blues, golden yellows).
• Realism: Muted earth tones and skin-appropriate colors.
• Neo-Traditional: Deep, rich combos. Saturated but sophisticated color combinations.
• Black & Grey: Various range of greys from 10% to 90% opacity.

How to check how the color looks on skin

What you see on screen isn’t always what ends up on the skin. Bright colors in Procreate can look amazing digitally, but remember that tattoo ink heals softer and slightly darker, especially over time. Here’s how to check color digitally:

• Color palette saturation: Instead of using fully saturated colors, dial it back to 70–80%. This gives you a more realistic preview of how the tattoo will look once healed. That’s because ink settles under the skin, not on top, so it mixes with skin tones and loses a bit of that vibrancy. Designing with a slightly muted tone helps your final tattoo look more like your original concept.
• Neutral background: Always view your design on a neutral background, not pure white—it gives you a more realistic sense of how it’ll look on actual skin. Lighter skin might hold bright colors better, while darker skin tones absorb more light, so some hues might not show as clearly.
• Skin tone matters: Use reference photos of your client and adjust your palette accordingly. Drop your design onto a photo of the client’s skin. Set the layer to Multiply to preview how colors interact with their skin color, accounting for the natural yellowing effect that occurs as tattoos age.
• Aging simulation: Duplicate your design, and then desaturate it slightly. Reduce the Saturation by 30% to mimic faded ink. Add a warm tint (Adjustments > Hue/Saturation) to mimic how ink fades over time.
• ColorDrop: Test how reds/yellows pop on darker skin (adjust Saturation +10%).

11. How to add tattoo fonts for Procreate

Install Procreate tattoo fonts

Whether you mock up a client’s design or create stencil-ready lettering, adding text in Procreate is a great way to lay out the names, dates, quotes, or script-style tattoos.

If you don’t have any tattoo fonts for Procreate, head over to Envato and browse the collection of Procreate tattoo fonts. Once you find the fonts you like, download them and add them to Procreate’s Fonts folder. Here’s a detailed tutorial on how to install fonts in Procreate.

Step-by-step instructions for adding text in Procreate

1. Start a new canvas or open your existing design.
2. Access the Text Tool: Go to Actions > Add > Add Text – a default text box will appear on your canvas.
3. Once it’s up, type in your text. Tap the text box to open the Text Entry Companion. 
4. For further customization, tap on Text Entry Companion to access the Edit Style panel.

How to customize text from Procreate’s Edit Style panel

The Edit Style panel offers options to change the font, style, kerning, tracking, baseline, opacity, and alignment. Here you can change:

• Font: Choose from built-in fonts or add your own.
• Size: Adjust how large the text appears.
• Tracking: Change the spacing between letters.
• Leading: Adjust the spacing between lines.
• Alignment: Left, center, or right-aligned.

Some tattoo text design tips: 

• Use bold tattoo fonts for legibility.
• Customize letterforms with Procreate’s brushes to make the text unique or stylized. Try script or calligraphy brushes to freehand your own lettering.
• Always check readability at a smaller size—clients can’t zoom in on healed ink.

How to further customize text shapes

Once you’re happy with your text layout, you can convert the text and transform it into editable shapes. Here’s how:

• Tap the text layer and choose Rasterize (now it’s no longer editable text).
• Use the Selection or Transform Tool to reshape or warp the text.
• You can also use brushes to draw over or enhance the text manually.

Now you know how to use Procreate for tattoos

Right from your iPad, Procreate can be your all-in-one tattoo design studio—sketchbook, stencil maker, and creative hub. Now that you know how to set up Procreate specifically for tattooing, including organizing your gallery, brushes, layers, and stencil templates, I hope these beginner-friendly tips will help you work more efficiently and create cleaner designs.

Start now! Turn on your iPad and use Procreate tattoo brushes to make some flash sheets. And if you’re looking for more tips, check out A to Z of Procreate: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks! or some of these tutorials: