How to Install Fonts in Procreate – Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

So you downloaded a gorgeous new font, opened Procreate, and... now what? You're staring at your iPad wondering how to actually get that font into the app so you can use it in your next illustration. You're not alone. Installing fonts in Procreate isn't hard, but it's one of those things that isn't obvious the first time you try it. This guide walks you through the entire process step by step, so you can stop Googling and start designing.

What does it mean to install a font in Procreate?

Procreate is a drawing app for iPad, and it comes with a built-in set of fonts you can use with the text tool. But those default fonts are limited. When people talk about installing fonts in Procreate, they mean adding custom typefaces ones you've downloaded from a font marketplace or found online so they show up inside the app's font menu.

This usually involves downloading a font file, saving it to your iPad, and then importing it into Procreate through the Actions menu. Once installed, the font appears in your font list just like the default ones. If you're curious about the exact file types Procreate accepts, we cover that in our guide on Procreate compatible font file formats.

Why would you want to add custom fonts to Procreate?

The default fonts in Procreate are fine for quick labels, but they won't cut it if you're doing lettering work, designing quotes, creating social media graphics, or making printables. Custom fonts give you access to handwritten styles, bold display faces, elegant scripts, and everything in between.

For example, if you're illustrating a motivational quote poster, a brush font like Brusher adds that hand-lettered feel without spending hours on calligraphy. Or maybe you're designing a wedding invitation in Procreate something like Playlist gives you an elegant script look in seconds. These are the kinds of fonts that make your work stand out, and they're only available if you install them yourself.

How do you install a font in Procreate step by step?

Here's the process broken down into clear steps:

Find and download your font. Download the font file (usually a .ttf or .otf file) to your iPad. You might get it from a zip file, so make sure to unzip it first using the Files app.
Open Procreate and create or open a canvas.
Tap the wrench icon (Actions menu) in the top-left corner.
Tap "Add" and then "Add Text." This opens the text tool on your canvas.
Double-tap the text to select it, then tap "Edit Style" in the pop-up menu.
In the Fonts panel, tap the "+" icon at the top of the font list.
Browse to your downloaded font file using the Files browser and tap it.
The font now appears in your font list and is ready to use.

That's the whole process. Once you do it once, it takes less than a minute each time. If you want a deeper walkthrough with visuals, check out our full article on adding custom fonts to the Procreate app.

Where can you find good fonts for Procreate?

You can find Procreate-compatible fonts on many design marketplaces. Some popular options include Creative Fabrica, DaFont, Google Fonts, and Envato Elements. A few fonts worth trying for Procreate projects:

Basil a clean, modern sans-serif that works well for overlays and text-heavy designs.
The Bold Font great for headlines and bold statements in your illustrations.
Lovely a sweet script font that's popular for greeting cards and feminine designs.

Always check the font license before using it in commercial projects. Free fonts often come with restrictions, and paid fonts usually give you a commercial license.

What file format do fonts need to be in?

Procreate supports .ttf (TrueType Font) and .otf (OpenType Font) files. These are the two most common font formats, so most fonts you download will work right away.

Watch out for .woff files those are web fonts designed for websites, and Procreate won't read them. If you accidentally download a .woff file, go back to the source and look for the .ttf or .otf version instead.

Why isn't my font showing up in Procreate?

This is the most common problem beginners run into. Here are a few reasons it happens:

The file is still zipped. iPadOS sometimes handles zip files automatically, but if the font is inside a .zip folder, you need to extract it first using the Files app. Tap the zip file and it should unzip into a folder.
You downloaded a .woff file instead of .ttf or .otf. Check the file extension and re-download the correct format if needed.
You tapped the wrong file. Font downloads sometimes include multiple files bold, italic, light, etc. Make sure you're importing the specific weight you want.
Procreate needs a restart. Occasionally, closing and reopening the app makes newly installed fonts appear.

Can you install fonts on Procreate without a Mac or computer?

Yes. You don't need a Mac or a computer at all. The entire process happens on your iPad. You download the font file through Safari, save it to the Files app, and import it directly into Procreate. Some people used to rely on workarounds through iTunes or third-party apps, but that hasn't been necessary for years.

How do you manage or delete fonts you no longer need?

Over time, your font list in Procreate can get cluttered. To remove a font you've imported:

Open the Fonts panel in the text editing menu.
Swipe left on the font you want to remove.
Tap "Delete."

This only removes the font from Procreate it doesn't delete the original file from your iPad's storage. If you want it back later, you can re-import it from the same file.

What are the most common mistakes beginners make?

Here's what trips people up most often:

Forgetting to unzip files. This is the number one issue. Always check that your font file is a .ttf or .otf, not stuck inside a zip archive.
Importing the wrong font weight. If you wanted bold and installed the regular version by mistake, the font will look different from what you expected. Check the file name it usually says "Bold," "Italic," etc.
Not checking font licenses. Using a free font in a product you sell without checking the license can get you into legal trouble. Always read the license file that comes with the download.
Expecting Procreate to handle variable fonts perfectly. Variable fonts (single files that contain multiple weights) can be hit or miss. If a variable font doesn't behave right, try downloading the individual static weight files instead.

Useful tips for working with fonts in Procreate

Preview fonts before installing. Many font websites let you type custom text into a preview box. Use this to see if a font works for your project before downloading it.
Organize font files in folders. Create a "Fonts" folder in your Files app so you always know where to find your downloads.
Use the text tool's kerning and tracking controls. After placing text, you can adjust letter spacing to make your typography look more polished.
Rasterize text when you're done editing. Once your text is finalized, rasterize it (under the Actions menu) so you can't accidentally edit it later. This also merges it into your artwork layers.
Keep a shortlist of favorite fonts. If you use the same 5–10 fonts regularly, keep those files backed up so you don't have to hunt them down again.

Quick checklist before your next Procreate font project

✅ Download the font as a .ttf or .otf file
✅ Unzip the file if needed using the Files app
✅ Open Procreate → Actions (wrench) → Add → Add Text
✅ Double-tap text → Edit Style → tap "+" in the font panel
✅ Browse to your font file and import it
✅ Check the font license before using in commercial work
✅ Organize your font files in a dedicated folder for easy access later

Next step: Pick one font you've been wanting to use, download it now, and install it using the steps above. Once you've done it successfully one time, adding new fonts becomes second nature. And if you want to go deeper into the technical side, our font file format guide breaks down exactly what works and what doesn't. Learn More