How to Install Display Fonts in Procreate

You just downloaded a gorgeous display font for your Procreate project, but now it's sitting in your Files app doing absolutely nothing. Getting custom fonts into Procreate isn't hard, but the process can feel confusing if you've never done it before. Knowing how to install display fonts in Procreate opens up real creative possibilities from hand-lettered posters to custom wedding invitations to bold social media graphics. Here's exactly how to do it, step by step.

What Does It Mean to Install Fonts in Procreate?

Procreate supports TrueType (.ttf) and OpenType (.otf) font files. Installing a font means adding that file to your iPad so Procreate can recognize it and show it in the font picker. The font doesn't live inside Procreate itself it lives at the system level or through a profile. Once installed, the font becomes available across apps that support custom fonts, including Procreate.

Display fonts are typefaces designed for headlines, titles, and decorative use rather than long paragraphs. They come in styles like bold, condensed, retro, handwritten, and decorative. You might use them for lettering projects, logo mockups, posters, or creating text art inside Procreate's text tool.

How Do I Install a Display Font on My iPad for Procreate?

There are two main methods, and both work well. Pick whichever feels easier for you.

Method 1: Install Using a Font Installer App

Download your font file (.ttf or .otf) to your iPad. If it comes in a .zip file, tap it in the Files app to unzip.
Download a free font installer app from the App Store. iFont is a popular choice that works reliably.
Open the font installer app and import your font file.
Follow the app's prompts to install the font. This usually creates a configuration profile.
Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management on your iPad.
Find the font profile and tap Install. You may need to enter your passcode.
Open Procreate and tap the wrench icon, then Add > Add Text. Your newly installed font should appear in the font list.

Method 2: Install Directly Through Procreate

Make sure your font file is saved somewhere accessible in the Files app iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or On My iPad all work.
Open Procreate and create or open a canvas.
Tap the wrench icon (Actions menu) in the top left.
Tap Add, then Add Text.
In the text editing panel, tap the font name to open the font library.
Tap Import Font at the top right of the font panel.
Navigate to your font file in the Files app and tap it.
The font will appear in your font list, ready to use.

This second method is faster for most people because it skips the need for a separate app. Procreate handles the installation directly, and the font is stored within Procreate's font library.

Where Can I Find Display Fonts That Work With Procreate?

Any standard .ttf or .otf font file will work in Procreate. You can find free and paid display fonts on sites like Creative Fabrica, Google Fonts, DaFont, and Font Squirrel. Here are a few display fonts that pair well with Procreate projects:

Bebas Neue a clean, tall sans-serif that works well for bold headlines
Playlist Script a flowing handwritten script for decorative lettering
Brooklyn a trendy, minimalist display font popular in modern designs

If you're looking for something specific, we've put together collections of fonts suited for wedding invitations, bold display options, and retro display fonts that all work in Procreate.

Why Isn't My Font Showing Up in Procreate?

This is one of the most common problems people run into. Here are the usual reasons:

Wrong file format. Procreate only reads .ttf and .otf files. If your download gave you a .woff, .woff2, or .zip file, you need to unzip it first or find the correct format version.
The font was installed in a different app but not shared system-wide. Some font installer apps keep fonts local to themselves. Make sure you use the configuration profile method or install directly through Procreate.
You're looking in the wrong place. In Procreate, go to Actions (wrench) > Add > Add Text, then tap the font name to see the full list. The font appears under "Imported" or "Recently Added" if you installed it through Procreate directly.
iOS needs a restart. Occasionally, the iPad needs a quick restart before newly installed fonts appear across apps.

Can I Use Installed Fonts With the Procreate Brush Tool?

Fonts installed on your iPad work through Procreate's Text tool, not the brush tool. If you want to use a display font as a tracing guide for hand lettering with brushes, here's a workaround:

Add the text using your installed font.
Rasterize the text layer by tapping it in the Layers panel and selecting Rasterize.
Lower the opacity of that layer.
Create a new layer above it and trace over the letters using your favorite brush.

This is a popular technique for creating custom lettering that has the structure of a display font but with a handmade feel.

What Are Common Mistakes When Adding Fonts to Procreate?

Installing too many fonts at once. Having hundreds of fonts can make the font picker slow and hard to browse. Be selective and install only the fonts you actually plan to use.
Ignoring the license. Some fonts are free for personal use only. If you're creating designs to sell, check that the font license allows commercial use.
Downloading from sketchy sites. Stick to reputable font sources. Untrusted downloads can sometimes bundle unwanted files with the font.
Not organizing downloaded fonts. Keep your font files organized in folders within the Files app so you can reinstall or reference them later if needed.
Expecting the font to work in the brush library. Fonts are a text tool feature. They won't appear as brush options.

Quick Checklist: Installing Display Fonts in Procreate

✅ Download the font as a .ttf or .otf file to your iPad
✅ Unzip the file if it's compressed
✅ Open Procreate and go to Actions > Add > Add Text
✅ Tap the font name, then tap Import Font
✅ Navigate to your font file and tap to install
✅ Verify the font appears in your font list under "Imported"
✅ Check the font license before using in commercial projects

Next step: Pick one display font, install it using the direct Procreate method, and test it on a new canvas today. Start with a simple text layer so you can see how the font looks at different sizes. Once you're comfortable with the process, you can build a small collection of go-to fonts that match your design style.

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