How to Change DPI in Procreate

Understanding Procreate Canvas DPI

Procreate uses DPI to define canvas resolution per inch at the physical dimensions you specify at creation. This means DPI and pixel dimensions are inseparably linked — you cannot adjust one without affecting the other. When you create an 8 × 10 inch canvas at 300 DPI, Procreate immediately allocates a 2400 × 3000 pixel canvas. That pixel count is fixed for the life of the canvas.

This architecture has a direct consequence for layer limits. Procreate reduces the maximum number of layers as pixel count rises — an iPad Pro M4 supports approximately 25 layers at a 4K canvas. A 300 DPI print canvas uses more of that budget than a 150 DPI social media canvas of the same physical size.

• DPI setting at creation determines total pixel count — baked in permanently
• 8 × 10 inches at 300 DPI = 2400 × 3000 pixels
• Higher DPI means higher pixel count, which reduces available layer count
• iPad Pro M4 supports ~25 layers at a 4K canvas resolution

How to Create a 300 DPI Canvas in Procreate

Creating a print-ready 300 DPI canvas in Procreate requires setting the DPI at the moment of canvas creation. Tap the + button in the gallery to open New Canvas, then select Custom Canvas. Enter your width and height — use inches as the unit for print work, or enter pixel values directly if you know the target pixel dimensions. Set the DPI field to 300.

Procreate instantly calculates and displays the resulting pixel dimensions and the maximum layer count for your iPad model. Review these numbers before committing:

• Procreate > New Canvas (+) > Custom Canvas
• Set Width and Height in inches (e.g., 8 inches wide, 10 inches tall)
• Set DPI to 300 — Procreate shows the resulting pixel dimensions automatically
• Result: 2400 × 3000 pixel canvas, ready for print output
• For commercial print or fabric printing: 300 DPI; for screen or social media: 72–150 DPI preserves layer budget

If you are unsure whether your target print size needs 300 DPI, use the DPI calculator at /dpi-calculator to calculate the required pixel dimensions before creating the canvas.

Check the DPI of an Existing Procreate Canvas

Procreate stores canvas metadata that you can inspect without exporting. Tap the wrench icon (Actions menu), then select Canvas > Canvas Information. The panel displays the canvas pixel dimensions and the DPI set at creation.

• Actions (wrench) > Canvas > Canvas Information — shows pixel dimensions and DPI
• The gallery thumbnail also displays dimensions when you long-press a canvas
• DPI cannot be changed retroactively — the pixel count was determined at canvas creation
• If the DPI is lower than 300 and you need print quality, follow the workaround in the next section

Export Procreate Art at 300 DPI

Procreate embeds the canvas DPI into every exported file. If you created the canvas at 300 DPI, all exports automatically carry 300 DPI metadata. Choose the export format based on how the file will be used.

• TIFF — lossless compression, preserves full quality; recommended for print masters and professional print labs
• PSD — exports with layers intact; opens in Photoshop with full editability
• PDF — vector-friendly format; accepted by most commercial print shops for flat artwork
• JPEG — Procreate uses high quality settings by default; acceptable for consumer labs (Shutterfly, Snapfish)
• PNG — lossless and transparent-background capable; good for designs with transparency elements

After export, verify DPI in Photoshop by going to Image > Image Size. The resolution field should show 300 DPI at your canvas dimensions. Alternatively, use the DPI converter tool to inspect the exported file DPI.

How to Change DPI on an Existing Procreate Canvas (Workaround)

Procreate does not allow retroactive DPI changes. However, you can achieve 300 DPI output from a lower-DPI canvas using a multi-step workaround. The core idea is to export at maximum pixel resolution and either upscale externally or create a new higher-DPI canvas and place the exported image inside it.

Step-by-step process:

• Step 1: Export the existing canvas as TIFF or PNG at full resolution — no compression, maximum quality
• Step 2: Use the convert to 300 DPI tool at /convert-to-300-dpi or Photoshop Image > Image Size with Resample to upscale pixel dimensions to 300 DPI at the target print size
• Step 3: If continuing work in Procreate: create a new custom canvas at 300 DPI with correct print dimensions; import the upscaled image as a reference layer
• Step 4: Use the DPI calculator at /dpi-calculator to confirm the new canvas dimensions before starting

This workaround requires redrawing or re-tracing elements if you need additional editable layers — Procreate does not re-separate a merged export into original layers.

Recommended DPI Settings for Procreate by Use Case

Choosing the right DPI at canvas creation prevents layer shortages and unnecessary file sizes. Match DPI to the final output destination:

• Print shop / fine art prints: 300 DPI — industry standard for offset and inkjet print quality
• Print-on-demand platforms (Redbubble, Printful, Merch by Amazon): 300 DPI at the platform-specified template dimensions — check each platform for exact pixel size requirements
• Social media / digital-only artwork: 150 DPI at desired pixel output size — halves pixel count compared to 300 DPI, saving significant layer budget
• Large format printing (24 × 36 inch poster): 150 DPI — posters are viewed at a distance where 300 DPI detail is indistinguishable, and 150 DPI saves memory and improves performance
• Sticker and small print items (under 4 inches): 300–600 DPI — small prints are viewed closely and benefit from higher resolution

If you are preparing artwork for a print-on-demand product, download the product template from the platform and create your Procreate canvas at the exact pixel dimensions specified — DPI is already set by the pixel count and physical dimensions in the template.