If you’ve ever exported artwork from Procreate and then stared at the list of file types thinking, okay but which one am I actually supposed to use… you are very much not alone.

JPG.
PNG.
TIFF.
PSD.
PDF.

Procreate gives you a long list of export options, and if you’re new to digital art it can feel a bit like someone handed you a tool belt without explaining what half the tools do. (If this is you, I strongly recommend my FREE Procreate for Beginners class!)

So today we’re demystifying the most common Procreate file types in a practical easy to understand way. Once you understand what these file types are designed for, exporting your artwork becomes extremely simple.

But first, there’s one small thing that affects every file type.

One quick note before we talk file types

File types preserve quality. They do not create it.

In other words, exporting your artwork as a PNG instead of a JPG won’t magically fix a canvas that was created too small. If your canvas was set up at a tiny size or low resolution, every file type will faithfully preserve that.

So when you're creating a canvas in Procreate for something that will be printed, the rule of thumb is to set it to 300 DPI and choose the physical dimensions you want from the beginning. That way whatever file type you export later will preserve the artwork properly.

With that said, let’s talk about the file types you’ll actually use.

JPG: best for the internet

JPG is the file type you see most often online. It was designed to make images smaller and easier to load quickly. That means it compresses the file by removing some image data. This is called lossy compression, which sounds dramatic but usually isn’t noticeable when you’re looking at an image on a screen.

Because the files are smaller, JPG works beautifully for things like:

• social media posts
• blog images
• email graphics
• website uploads
• online portfolios
• YouTube thumbnails

Anywhere speed and file size matter, JPG is usually the right choice.

Where JPG is NOT ideal is when you want to preserve every bit of image data, especially for printing or archiving your artwork long term.

That’s where PNG comes in.

PNG: best for printing

PNG is what’s called a lossless file format. Instead of compressing the image in a way that removes data, it preserves the artwork exactly as it exists. That means edges stay crisp, color stays intact, and the file maintains the full integrity of your artwork.

PNG also supports transparent backgrounds, which is incredibly useful for design elements. 

For artists, this ends up being one of the most versatile export options. Personally, PNG is the format I use whenever I’m exporting artwork that will be printed or used in a design.

That includes things like:

• art prints
• print on demand products
• stickers
• design elements with transparent backgrounds
• files I want to keep at full quality

The file size will be larger than JPG, but usually not wildly so. And the tradeoff is worth it if you want to preserve the artwork exactly as you created it.

TIFF: it's a giant

TIFF is another lossless file format, but it retains an enormous amount of image data. This makes TIFF files very large, which is why they’re commonly used in professional photography, publishing, and large scale printing workflows.

Because they store so much information, TIFF files are often used when an image may go through multiple stages of editing and needs to maintain maximum fidelity.

However, most artists working in Procreate will rarely need to export TIFF. Unless a professional printer specifically asks for a TIFF file, PNG usually accomplishes the same goal with far less hassle. Even as a professional artist, TIFF is something I’ve only needed a handful of times. For everyday use, PNG handles nearly everything.

PSD or Procreate files: keeping your layers

PSD stands for Photoshop Document. When you export a PSD from Procreate, it preserves your layers so the file can be opened and edited inside Photoshop. This is useful if you’re collaborating with someone who works in Adobe software or if you want to continue editing your artwork outside of Procreate.

For example, designers might export PSD files if they plan to add typography or additional design work later in Photoshop.

If you’re only working inside Procreate, you may never need this format. But it’s helpful to know it exists. That said, you can export Procreate files to preserve your Procreate layers. This is essential to file backups in order to return to your work.

PDF: documents

PDF exports are less common for artwork itself, but they can be useful when your art needs to be shared as a document.

For example:

• printable worksheets
• digital planners
• pattern sheets
• instruction pages

PDFs are designed to keep layouts consistent across devices, which makes them helpful for educational or printable materials.

Quick cheat sheet

Most of the confusion around exporting artwork comes from the idea that there must be a single “correct” file type, but the truth is that different formats exist because artwork travels through different environments.

The internet prioritizes speed. Printers prioritize detail. Design software prioritizes flexibility. Once you understand what each format is built for, choosing the right export becomes second nature!