How to Import and Convert Images for Procreate

Procreate is the most popular digital art app on iPad, and importing reference images, textures, and source photos is a core part of most illustration workflows. Whether you are tracing a reference photo, applying a texture overlay, or importing line art for coloring, the file format and dimensions matter for performance and quality.

Procreate supports a good range of formats natively, but there are some common formats that cause problems. HEIC files from your iPhone camera may not import smoothly in every situation. WebP files from web downloads are not supported. Understanding which formats work and how to convert the ones that do not saves time in your creative workflow.

This guide covers Procreate's format support, maximum canvas sizes, and how to prepare images for the best results in your artwork.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Check Procreate's Supported Formats

    Procreate imports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, PSD, PDF, and its native .procreate format. It exports to all of these plus SVG (for vector brushes) and MP4 (for timelapse). HEIC files from iPhone typically work through the iOS share sheet but may have issues with direct file import. WebP, AVIF, BMP, and SVG (as raster imports) are not directly supported.

  2. Convert Unsupported Formats

    If your reference image or texture is in WebP, AVIF, BMP, or another unsupported format, convert it to PNG (for transparency support and lossless quality) or JPG (for photographs where smaller file size helps). PNG is preferred for textures and line art because it preserves sharp edges and supports transparency. JPG is fine for photographic reference images.

  3. Consider Canvas Size Limits

    Procreate's maximum canvas size depends on your iPad model's RAM. An iPad Pro with 16GB RAM supports canvases up to about 16384 by 8192 pixels with full layer count. Older iPads with 4GB RAM max out around 4096 by 4096 with fewer layers. Importing a huge reference image does not increase your canvas size, but oversized images consume memory that reduces your available layer count.

  4. Resize Images to Your Canvas Size

    Before importing a reference image, resize it to match or be close to your Procreate canvas dimensions. A 6000 by 4000 pixel photo imported as a reference layer on a 3000 by 3000 canvas wastes memory. Resize to approximately your canvas dimensions before importing. This preserves more layers for your actual artwork.

  5. Import into Procreate

    Import images via several methods: use the wrench icon > Add > Insert a photo (from Photos app), Insert a file (from Files app), or use the share sheet from another app. You can also drag and drop from Split View. The imported image appears as a new layer that you can transform, reposition, and adjust opacity on.

Best Formats for Different Procreate Uses

For reference photos that you will trace or paint over, JPG is ideal. It produces smaller files that import quickly and consume less memory. Quality is not critical since you are using the image as a guide, not as part of the final output. For texture overlays that need transparency (paper textures, grunge effects, watercolor edges), PNG is required. Only PNG supports the transparent areas that make texture overlays work correctly.

For line art that you want to color underneath, PNG with a transparent background is essential. If your line art has a white background instead of transparent, you will need to remove the white in Procreate using Multiply blend mode or manually selecting and deleting the white. Starting with a transparent PNG saves this step.

Memory and Layer Management

Every imported image consumes canvas memory, which directly reduces your available layer count. A large photo imported on a separate layer uses the same memory as a fully painted layer. If you are running low on layers, consider merging your reference layer down, reducing canvas size, or resizing imported images before import.

Procreate shows your maximum layer count when you create a new canvas. This number decreases as you add layers, and imported images each count as a full layer. On an iPad Air with 8GB RAM, a 4000 by 4000 canvas allows roughly 50 to 60 layers. Each large imported image effectively steals one of those layers.

Convert Images for Procreate

Convert WebP, AVIF, or other unsupported formats to Procreate-compatible PNG or JPG with imageconvert.co. The conversion runs entirely in your iPad's browser with no file upload. Your artwork references and source material stay private on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What image formats can Procreate import?

Procreate supports JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, PSD, and PDF for import. WebP, AVIF, BMP, and SVG (as raster) are not directly supported. Convert unsupported formats to PNG or JPG before importing.

Can Procreate open HEIC files from iPhone?

HEIC files typically work when shared from the iPhone Photos app to Procreate via the share sheet, because iOS converts them automatically. Direct file import of HEIC files may not work consistently. If you have trouble, convert the HEIC file to JPG or PNG first.

Why does importing a large image reduce my layer count in Procreate?

Procreate allocates a fixed amount of RAM for each canvas based on your iPad model. Every layer (including imported images) consumes a portion of that RAM. A large imported image uses the same memory as a fully painted layer. To preserve layers, resize images to your canvas dimensions before importing.

Should I import reference images as JPG or PNG in Procreate?

Use JPG for photographic references since it produces smaller files and imports faster. Use PNG when the image needs transparency (texture overlays, line art for coloring). Since reference images are guides rather than final output, JPG quality is almost always sufficient.

Convert WebP to PNG for Procreate

Convert HEIC to JPG

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