As digital art creation is getting more popular, the need to print out these digital creations on paper is increasing. Procreate users are no exception to this trend. Even though printing artwork created on Procreate might sound straightforward and easy, there are several things you should consider before sending your artwork off for printing.
In this expert article, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about how to print Procreate art and get the best possible results for your masterpiece.
1. Resolution:
Resolution refers to the number of pixels contained within a certain area of an image. When creating artwork on Procreate, make sure you set the canvas size and resolution high enough so that when printed out at its actual size, it appears sharp and clear.
A good rule of thumb is setting the DPI (dots per inch) resolution between 300-600 depending on what type of printer you’re using or where you’re going to get it printed; for instance large format printers require lower dpi rates in order not slow down or crash computers/printers while processing due to their nature as they have lots more surface area than other regular printers so having too many dpi’s would just be overkill
2. Color profiles:
Procreate uses RGB color profile by default which is suitable if you’re only displaying your artwork digitally through screens like monitors or mobile devices but may not look as accurate once printed out since most paper stocks use CMYK colors instead – Checking available ICC / Color Profiles from printer preferences can help adjust colors better.
Therefore it’s important that after exporting your work from Procreate, always convert it into CMYK color mode before printing since most commonly pc programs require files formatted with cmyk rather than rgb; plus printers utilize magenta cyan yellow key black ink combination hence accurate representations can be achieved.
3. File formats:
When exporting your artwork from Procreate ensure that save format suits both screen viewing & printable output options , specifically for print purposes choose quality file formats like TIFF, JPG or PNG while avoiding low quality ones such JPEG
4. Bleeds:
Ensure that your artwork has a ‘bleed’ area if it’s being trimmed after printing That is to say there should be an outer margin of the artwork without any critical elements i.e cropmarks, showing whatever will get cut off; in order to achieve this aim for 3mm (or more depending on project configuration) bleed if undergoing professional printing and but keep things within the printable margins
5. Paper type:
The best information regarding what paper stock / types work with particular finishes can be sourced initially from printer’s manual; however, need not worry as many prints shops can point you towards the most suitable paper type Stock & finish ranges include Glossy / Matte , Canvas and so forth. It all depends on personal preference as well but bear in mind some colorful output looks better with glossy sheen than matte look
6. Printer calibration & settings adjustment:
Before hitting “print”, every user of whichever device should take note of Print settings needed straight away Reviewing adequate DPI rate ,file format and CMYK color mode options alone are insufficient due to individual abnormalities printers possess because even models from same manufacturer may function differently.
What works best is researching specific printer choice performance reviews online for recommendations about how specific popular models cover up on gamut variance range,color accuracy levels& material compatibility.
It’s always wise noting matching respective ICC profile recommended by printer manufacturer prior to printing.
7. Printing process execution :
When satisfied with all above points ready made , carry out a test run by performing basic print showcasing quality outcomes like resolution,bright or dull colors, etc especially when doing large projects ; once impressed then commence printing straightaway
Steps involved can differ- Inkjet/Stone/Laser printers often involve setting print dialogues either directly from software dashboards or independently whilst commercial based makes use of in house custom software’s or applications like Adobe CC,Preview for Macs and others. Note that printing larger pieces may require additional setup of cropping marks to ensure accurate cutting of drawings from sheets.
In summary, there are a few factors you need to consider before printing out your Procreate art. These include the resolution, color profiles (switching from RGB mode into CMYK), file formats (selecting appropriate high quality ones ), bleeds area, paper type choices / finish ranges(amenable with respective device compatibility) , printer calibration & settings adjustment that differentiates susceptibility levels among various printers and retouch when ensuring output maintenance whilst speculating about new client base too.
By taking these steps into consideration and following the guidelines explained above means that both personal projects & professional commissioned pieces can produce outstanding outcomes once printed out so don’t waste any more time; start executing now!