How To Install Fonts In Procreate: A Simple Guide

Nov 3, 2025 by ADMIN 50 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to spice up your Procreate artwork with some fresh, new fonts? You've come to the right place! Adding custom fonts to Procreate can really elevate your designs, giving you a unique edge and a professional touch. Whether you're creating stunning lettering pieces, eye-catching illustrations, or just want to experiment with different styles, knowing how to import fonts is a game-changer. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, making it super easy to get your favorite fonts into Procreate and start creating magic. So, let's dive in and unlock a whole new world of typography in your digital art!

Why Add Custom Fonts to Procreate?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's talk about why you might want to add custom fonts to Procreate in the first place. Procreate comes with a decent selection of fonts, but let's be honest, sometimes you need something a little extra. Adding your own fonts allows you to truly personalize your artwork and gives you the flexibility to match the perfect typeface to your vision. Imagine creating a vintage-style poster and having a gorgeous retro font to complete the look, or designing a whimsical children's book with a playful, handwritten-style font. The possibilities are endless!

Here’s why adding custom fonts is a brilliant idea:

Unleash Your Creativity: Custom fonts let you express your unique style and bring your artistic vision to life. No more being limited by the default options – the world of typography is your oyster!
Professional Polish: Using unique fonts can give your artwork a professional and polished look. It shows that you've put thought and effort into every detail, from the colors and composition to the typography.
Brand Consistency: If you're creating artwork for a brand, using their specific fonts ensures consistency and reinforces their visual identity. This is crucial for maintaining a cohesive and recognizable brand image.
Endless Variety: There are thousands of amazing fonts out there, from elegant serifs to playful scripts and bold sans-serifs. Adding custom fonts opens up a world of typographic possibilities that you just can't get with the default options.
Personal Projects: For personal projects, custom fonts make it easy to create artworks that truly reflect your individual style and personality. You can find fonts that match your mood, your aesthetic, and your artistic goals.

So, now that you're convinced (and excited!) about the benefits of adding custom fonts, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually do it.

Finding and Downloading Fonts

The first step in adding custom fonts to Procreate is, well, finding those perfect fonts! The internet is a treasure trove of amazing typefaces, both free and paid. Knowing where to look and how to download them is key to building your font library. Let's explore some of the best resources for finding fonts and the process of downloading them onto your iPad.

Where to Find Fonts

There are countless websites offering fonts, but here are a few of my absolute favorites:

Google Fonts: This is a fantastic resource for free, high-quality fonts that are easy to use and compatible with Procreate. Plus, because they're Google fonts, they're designed to look great on screens!
DaFont: DaFont is a massive archive of free fonts, with a huge variety of styles and designs. It's a great place to discover unique and quirky fonts, but always double-check the licensing terms before using them in commercial projects.
Font Squirrel: Font Squirrel is another excellent source for free fonts, with a focus on fonts that are licensed for commercial use. They also have a handy font identifier tool if you've seen a font you like but don't know its name.
Creative Market: If you're looking for premium fonts with top-notch design and licensing, Creative Market is the place to go. They offer a wide range of fonts from independent designers, often bundled in affordable packages.
MyFonts: MyFonts is a comprehensive font marketplace with a vast selection of fonts from renowned foundries and designers. It's a great place to find high-quality fonts for professional use.

Tips for Choosing the Right Fonts:

Consider Your Project: Think about the style and tone of your artwork. Is it playful and whimsical? Elegant and sophisticated? Choose fonts that complement the overall aesthetic.
Readability is Key: While a fancy font might look cool, make sure it's still easy to read. Legibility is crucial, especially for text-heavy designs.
Mix and Match: Don't be afraid to combine different fonts, but do it strategically. A good rule of thumb is to pair a display font (for headlines) with a more readable body font.
Licensing Matters: Always check the font's licensing terms before using it, especially for commercial projects. Some fonts are free for personal use but require a license for commercial use.

Downloading Fonts on Your iPad

Once you've found your perfect fonts, it's time to download them to your iPad. The process is pretty straightforward:

Open Safari: Use Safari (or your preferred browser) to navigate to the font website.
Find Your Font: Browse or search for the font you want to download.
Download the Font File: Look for a download button or link. The font file will usually be in a ZIP format.
Open the ZIP File: Once the download is complete, tap on the downloaded file in Safari's download manager. This will usually open the Files app and unzip the file.
Locate the Font File: Inside the unzipped folder, you should find the font file(s). These files will typically have a .ttf (TrueType Font) or .otf (OpenType Font) extension.

Now that you've downloaded your fonts, the next step is to install them on your iPad so you can use them in Procreate.

Installing Fonts on Your iPad

Okay, you've got your fonts downloaded – awesome! Now, let's get them installed on your iPad so you can start using them in Procreate. There are a couple of ways to do this, but the easiest and most reliable method is by using a font management app. These apps make the process super smooth and help you keep your fonts organized. Let's walk through the steps using one of the most popular font management apps.

Using a Font Management App (Recommended)

There are several font management apps available on the App Store, but one of the most highly recommended is iFont. It's free, user-friendly, and makes installing fonts a breeze. Here's how to use it:

Download iFont: Head to the App Store and download the iFont app.
Open iFont: Once iFont is installed, open the app.
Import Fonts:
- Tap the "Import" tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap "Files" to browse your iPad's files.
- Navigate to the folder where you saved your downloaded fonts (usually the "Downloads" folder).
- Select the font file(s) you want to install (remember, they'll be .ttf or .otf files).
- iFont will import the selected fonts.
Install Fonts:
- Tap the "Fonts" tab at the bottom of the screen.
- You'll see a list of the fonts you've imported.
- Tap the "Install" button next to the font you want to install.
- iFont will guide you through the installation process, which involves installing a configuration profile in your iPad's settings.
Install Configuration Profile:
- When prompted, tap "Allow" to download a configuration profile.
- Go to your iPad's Settings app.
- Tap "Profile Downloaded" (it should be near the top of the Settings menu).
- Tap "Install" in the top-right corner.
- If prompted, enter your iPad's passcode.
- Tap "Install" again to confirm.
- Tap "Done".

Repeat the installation process for each font you want to add to your iPad.

Alternative Method: Using the Files App (Less Reliable)

While using a font management app is the preferred method, there's also a way to install fonts directly from the Files app. However, this method can be a bit less reliable and may not work with all fonts.

Open the Files App: Locate the font files you downloaded (they should be .ttf or .otf files).
Tap the Font File: Tap on the font file you want to install.
Preview the Font: A preview of the font should appear.
Tap "Install Font": Look for an "Install Font" option. If you see it, tap it.
Follow the Prompts: Your iPad may prompt you to install a configuration profile, similar to the iFont method. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Keep in mind that this method might not work for all fonts, and a font management app is generally a more reliable solution.

Once you've installed your fonts using either method, it's time to head over to Procreate and start using them in your artwork!

Using Your New Fonts in Procreate

Alright, you've downloaded your fonts, installed them on your iPad, and now comes the really fun part: using them in Procreate! Adding text to your artwork and experimenting with different fonts can take your creations to the next level. Let's see how easy it is to access and use your new fonts within Procreate.

Adding Text in Procreate

First things first, let's add some text to your canvas. Here's how:

Open Procreate: Launch the Procreate app and open your artwork or create a new canvas.
Tap the Actions Menu: Tap the wrench icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
Select "Add Text": In the Actions menu, tap "Add" and then select "Add Text".
Type Your Text: A text box will appear on your canvas. Tap inside the text box to start typing.

Accessing Your Installed Fonts

Now that you've got your text box, let's find those gorgeous new fonts you installed!

Highlight Your Text: Make sure your text is highlighted. You can do this by tapping and dragging over the text or by tapping "Select All" in the text editing options.
Open the Font Menu: In the text editing options that appear at the bottom of the screen, tap the font name (it will likely say something like "Helvetica" or "Arial" initially).
Browse Your Fonts: A font menu will pop up, showing you a list of all the fonts installed on your iPad. Your newly installed fonts should be in this list!
Select Your Font: Scroll through the list and tap on the font you want to use. The text in your text box will instantly update to reflect the selected font.

Customizing Your Text

Once you've chosen your font, you can customize it even further to get the perfect look for your artwork.

Procreate's text editing options allow you to adjust:

Font Size: Increase or decrease the size of your text.
Kerning: Adjust the spacing between individual letters.
Tracking: Adjust the spacing between all letters in the text.
Leading: Adjust the spacing between lines of text.
Baseline: Shift the text up or down relative to the baseline.
Alignment: Align your text to the left, center, or right.
Style: Choose different styles for your font, such as bold, italic, or underline (if available for the selected font).
Color: Change the color of your text using Procreate's color palette.

Experiment with these options to fine-tune your text and make it shine!

Tips for Using Fonts Effectively in Procreate

Choose Fonts That Complement Your Artwork: Select fonts that match the style and tone of your artwork. A playful font might be great for a children's illustration, but not so much for a serious portrait.
Limit Your Font Choices: Using too many different fonts in a single artwork can look cluttered and confusing. Stick to two or three fonts that work well together.
Consider Readability: Ensure your text is easy to read, especially for longer passages of text. Choose fonts that are legible at the size you'll be using them.
Create Visual Hierarchy: Use different font sizes and styles to create a visual hierarchy in your design. Headlines should be larger and bolder than body text.
Experiment and Have Fun!: Don't be afraid to try out different fonts and combinations. The best way to learn what works is to experiment and see what looks good.

Troubleshooting Common Font Issues in Procreate

Okay, so you've followed all the steps, but something's not quite right. Don't worry, guys! Sometimes, technical hiccups happen. Let's troubleshoot some common font issues you might encounter in Procreate and how to fix them.

Font Not Showing Up in Procreate

This is probably the most common issue. You've installed the font, but it's nowhere to be found in Procreate's font list. Frustrating, right? Here's what you can do:

Restart Procreate: Sometimes, Procreate just needs a little nudge to recognize the new fonts. Close the app completely (swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Procreate app away) and then reopen it.
Restart Your iPad: If restarting Procreate doesn't work, try restarting your entire iPad. This can often resolve minor software glitches.
Check Installation: Double-check that the font is properly installed on your iPad. Go back to your font management app (like iFont) and make sure the font is listed as installed. If not, try reinstalling it.
Check Font Format: Procreate supports .ttf and .otf font formats. If you've downloaded a font in a different format, it won't work in Procreate. Make sure you're using the correct format.
Corrupted Font File: It's possible that the font file you downloaded is corrupted. Try downloading the font again from a different source to see if that resolves the issue.

Font Appears But Doesn't Look Right

Sometimes, a font might show up in Procreate, but it doesn't look the way it's supposed to. The characters might be distorted, or the spacing might be off. Here are some things to try:

Font Compatibility: Some fonts are simply not well-suited for digital use. They might be designed for print and not render correctly on screens. Try using a different font.
Font Complexity: Highly complex or decorative fonts can sometimes cause issues in Procreate. If you're experiencing problems, try a simpler font.
Procreate Update: Make sure you're using the latest version of Procreate. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve font rendering issues.
iPad Update: Similarly, make sure your iPad's operating system (iPadOS) is up to date. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility problems.

Text is Pixelated or Blurry

If your text looks pixelated or blurry, especially when you zoom in, it could be due to a few factors:

Canvas Resolution: The resolution of your Procreate canvas can affect the sharpness of your text. If your canvas resolution is too low, text will appear pixelated. Try creating a new canvas with a higher resolution.
Text Size: Making text too small can also cause it to look blurry. Try increasing the font size.
Font Quality: Some fonts are simply not designed to scale well. If you're using a low-quality font, it might look pixelated at larger sizes. Try using a higher-quality font.

Procreate Crashing When Using a Specific Font

In rare cases, a particular font might cause Procreate to crash. This is usually due to a bug in the font file itself.

Remove the Font: If a font is causing Procreate to crash, the best solution is to remove it from your iPad. Use your font management app (like iFont) to uninstall the font.
Contact the Font Designer: If you suspect there's a bug in the font, you can try contacting the font designer or foundry to let them know about the issue.

Conclusion

So there you have it, guys! You're now equipped with the knowledge to find, download, install, and use custom fonts in Procreate. Adding new fonts can totally transform your artwork, giving you the flexibility to express your creativity in unlimited ways. Remember to explore different font styles, experiment with text customization options, and don't be afraid to have fun! With a little practice, you'll be creating stunning typography in your Procreate masterpieces. Happy creating!