How to Install Sans Serif Fonts in Procreate

Procreate is one of the best drawing apps on the iPad, and adding the right font can completely change your design work. If you're working on lettering projects, social media graphics, or client work, knowing how to install sans serif fonts in Procreate gives you access to cleaner, more modern typography that works well across almost any design style. Sans serif fonts are popular in Procreate because they're easy to read at any size, and they pair well with hand-lettered styles. Whether you just downloaded your first font file or you're switching from another app, this guide walks you through every step.

What do you need before installing fonts in Procreate?

Before you start, make sure you have a few things ready. First, you need an iPad with Procreate installed any recent version supports custom fonts. Second, you need a font file saved somewhere on your device. Most fonts come as .ttf (TrueType Font) or .otf (OpenType Font) files. Procreate supports both formats. Third, you'll need a way to download and locate the file, which usually means the Files app on your iPad or a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox.

If you're just getting started with fonts in Procreate, our beginner's guide to sans serif Procreate fonts covers the basics of choosing the right typeface for your projects.

How do you download a sans serif font to your iPad?

You can find free and paid sans serif fonts from many websites. Some popular sans serif fonts you might look for include Bebas Neue, Montserrat, Poppins, and Raleway. When you download a font, Safari will usually ask if you want to download the file. Tap Download, then go to the Files app and look in the Downloads folder. If the font comes in a .zip file, tap it to unzip it first the actual font files will be inside.

Some font files come in a folder with multiple weights (Light, Regular, Bold, etc.). You can install all of them individually, so don't worry if you see several files in the download.

How do you install sans serif fonts directly inside Procreate?

Procreate has a built-in font installer, which makes the process simple. Here are the exact steps:

Open Procreate and create a new canvas or open an existing project.
Tap the Actions tool (the wrench icon in the top-left corner).
Go to the Add tab.
Tap Import font.
Browse to where your font file is saved usually in Downloads or On My iPad.
Tap the .ttf or .otf file you want to install.
The font will appear in your Procreate font list automatically.

That's it. The font is now available every time you use the text tool in Procreate. You don't need to restart the app or do anything else.

Can you install fonts in Procreate using a third-party app?

Yes. If you prefer, you can use an app like iFont or AnyFont to install fonts at the system level on your iPad. These apps install a small configuration profile that makes the font available across multiple apps not just Procreate. This method is helpful if you use the same fonts in other design apps like Affinity Designer or Keynote.

However, for most Procreate users, the built-in import method is faster and doesn't require extra apps or profile installations.

Why isn't my font showing up in Procreate?

This is one of the most common problems people run into. Here are a few reasons it happens and how to fix each one:

You downloaded a .zip file but didn't unzip it. Procreate can only read .ttf and .otf files directly. Tap the .zip file in the Files app to extract it first.
The file is corrupted or incomplete. Try downloading the font again from the original source.
You're importing the wrong file. Some font downloads include license text, preview images, or web versions (.woff). Look specifically for the .ttf or .otf file.
Procreate is outdated. Make sure you're running the latest version of Procreate from the App Store.

If you're looking for reliable fonts that work without issues, check out our list of the best sans serif fonts for Procreate in 2024.

What's the difference between .ttf and .otf font files?

Both formats work in Procreate, so you don't need to stress about choosing one over the other. Here's a quick breakdown:

.ttf (TrueType Font) The older, more widely supported format. Works everywhere.
.otf (OpenType Font) The newer format that can include extra features like ligatures, alternate characters, and stylistic sets. If your font has special OpenType features, the .otf version is usually the better pick.

For basic text work in Procreate, you won't notice a difference. But if you want access to swashes or alternate letterforms, go with the .otf file.

How do you use the text tool with your new font?

Once your font is installed, here's how to use it:

Open your canvas in Procreate.
Tap the Actions tool (wrench icon), then go to Add and tap Add text.
Type your text in the text box that appears.
Tap Edit Style to open the font panel.
Scroll through the font list to find your newly installed sans serif font. It will appear with any other fonts you've added.
Adjust size, alignment, tracking, leading, and other settings as needed.

You can also rasterize the text layer later if you want to warp, erase, or hand-draw over it. Just tap the text layer in the Layers panel and select Rasterize.

What are some good sans serif fonts to install in Procreate?

Sans serif fonts cover a wide range of styles, from geometric and clean to rounded and friendly. Here are some popular options that work well in Procreate:

Bebas Neue A tall, condensed sans serif that's great for bold headlines and posters.
Montserrat A versatile geometric sans serif with many weights. Works for both headings and body text.
Poppins A rounded geometric sans serif with a warm, approachable feel. Very popular for modern designs.
Raleway An elegant sans serif that works well for minimalist designs and fashion-related projects.
Open Sans A humanist sans serif designed for readability at small sizes.

For a wider selection of free options, take a look at our collection of free sans serif fonts you can install in Procreate.

What are common mistakes when installing fonts in Procreate?

Here are a few things to avoid:

Downloading too many fonts at once. Your font list in Procreate can get cluttered fast. Be selective and only install fonts you'll actually use.
Ignoring font licenses. Just because a font is free to download doesn't mean it's free for commercial use. Always check the license before using a font in client work or products you sell.
Not organizing your font files. Keep your downloaded fonts in a dedicated folder in the Files app so you can reinstall them easily if needed.
Forgetting to update Procreate. Older versions may not support all font features or formats properly.

Can you use custom fonts in Procreate on iPhone?

Procreate Pocket (the iPhone version) also supports custom fonts, and the process is the same use the Actions menu to import a .ttf or .otf file. However, the smaller screen makes text editing less comfortable, so most people prefer working with fonts on the iPad version.

Quick checklist: installing sans serif fonts in Procreate

Download a .ttf or .otf font file to your iPad
Unzip the file if it's in a .zip folder
Open Procreate and go to Actions → Add → Import font
Browse to the font file and tap it
Find the font in the text editing panel under Edit Style
Check the font license before using in commercial projects

Tip: Install one font at a time and test it in Procreate right away. This helps you confirm it imported correctly and lets you see how it looks on your canvas before adding more to your library.

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