Procreate Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for Procreate. Based on analysis of 12 signals.
Issues by Category
PSD export loses layer masks entirely
Users cannot export PSD files with masks intact. When working on complex illustrations with masks for non-destructive editing, exporting to Photoshop format results in flattened or broken masks, requiring artists to redo masking work in desktop applications.
No vector graphics support limits scalability
Procreate cannot render or export SVG vector graphics. All brushes are raster/pixel-based, meaning artwork cannot be scaled infinitely without quality loss. Logo designers and those creating assets for multiple sizes must use other software for vector work.
No undo history after closing artwork
When you close a Procreate file, the undo history is completely lost. Drawings from previous sessions cannot use the undo button at all. Artists who want to revisit and modify old work are stuck using only the eraser tool, with no way to step back through changes.
Missing paint bucket tool surprises users
Procreate lacks a traditional paint bucket fill tool, which is standard in most digital art programs. While ColorDrop exists as an alternative, it works differently and frustrates users expecting conventional fill functionality for coloring flat areas quickly.
Text tool requires rasterization for effects
To apply many Procreate effects to text, you must rasterize it first, which converts text to pixels and makes it no longer editable. Users cannot change text content after applying warp, liquify, or other transformations, requiring careful planning or redoing work.
Layer limits based on iPad RAM frustrate complex projects
Procreate's layer count is directly tied to your iPad's RAM and canvas size. On a 3000x3000 pixel canvas, artists with 1GB RAM get only 7 layers, while 8GB gets 112 layers. Professional illustrators working on detailed pieces frequently hit these limits, forcing workarounds like merging layers prematurely.
App crashes and freezes lose unsaved work
Users report Procreate crashing or freezing unexpectedly, which can interrupt workflow and lead to lost progress. While auto-save exists, crashes during active drawing can still result in lost strokes and frustrating interruptions.
Apple Pencil lag on some iPad models
Users report Apple Pencil lag when drawing on certain iPad models, particularly the iPad Air compared to iPad Pro. Initial touch lag causes drawing to appear after the stroke is finished, disrupting the natural drawing experience. Scribbling fast can make the system jerky and unresponsive.
iPad-only app locks out Android and desktop users
Procreate is exclusively available on iPad, leaving Android users and those who prefer desktop workflows completely stranded. Artists who want to work across multiple platforms or cannot afford an iPad have no option to use Procreate, forcing them to learn entirely different software.
No adjustment layers like Photoshop
Procreate lacks non-destructive adjustment layers. Users must apply color corrections and level adjustments directly to painted layers, reducing flexibility. Professional workflows that rely on tweaking adjustments throughout a project suffer without this standard feature.
CMYK export is fake - files open as RGB in Photoshop
Despite having a CMYK mode, Procreate's implementation is only an emulation. When users export PSD files in CMYK, they open as RGB in Photoshop. This is a known bug that Savage Interactive cannot fix in the current iteration, causing major issues for print-focused professionals.
Separate purchases required for iPad and iPhone versions
Procreate for iPad ($12.99) and Procreate Pocket for iPhone ($5.99) are separate purchases. Users expecting a universal license must pay twice to use Procreate across their Apple devices, adding unexpected cost for those wanting mobile flexibility.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing Procreate.
Bought iPad specifically for Procreate, hit layer limits immediately
Users who purchased an iPad Air or older iPad model specifically for Procreate discover severe layer limits on their first complex project. The $449+ investment feels wasted when they can only work with 10-20 layers on a publication-quality canvas.
Discovered CMYK export issues after completing print project
Print designers complete client work in Procreate assuming CMYK mode works properly, only to find colors shift dramatically when the file reaches the printer. The realization that Procreate's CMYK is just an emulation comes too late.
Realized they needed both Procreate apps and Procreate Dreams
Users start with the $12.99 iPad app, then want animation features, then want to work on iPhone. Total investment becomes $38.97 for all three apps - still reasonable but unexpected when the single purchase was the main selling point.
Spent hours learning only to need desktop software anyway
Artists invest significant time mastering Procreate only to realize their professional workflow still requires Photoshop or Illustrator for final output, CMYK conversion, or vector work. Procreate becomes just one step in a multi-app workflow.
Created complex illustration then couldn't undo changes from previous session
Artists return to a project the next day to fix something, only to discover undo history is gone. Having merged layers to work around limits, they now cannot separate elements and must redraw sections they wanted to simply undo.
Android user bought iPad just for Procreate, prefers Android ecosystem
Users deep in the Android ecosystem purchase an iPad solely for Procreate, creating friction with their workflow. Constant switching between devices and operating systems makes the iPad feel like an expensive single-purpose tool.
When Procreate Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where Procreate fails or underperforms.
Canvas exceeds RAM capacity
When creating large canvases (4000+ pixels at 300 DPI), available layers drop dramatically. Professional print work requiring full spreads at publication resolution becomes impossible on many iPad models, forcing artists to work in sections and composite later.
Print deadline requires CMYK-accurate output
Commercial print projects requiring exact CMYK color matching fail because Procreate's CMYK is an emulation. Artists must export and convert in Photoshop, and even then colors require adjustment. Tight deadlines suffer when this limitation is discovered late.
Client requests native vector files
Clients requesting AI, EPS, or SVG deliverables cannot be served by Procreate. All work must be recreated in vector software, or the artist must decline vector-dependent projects entirely.
Collaborative project requires cross-platform sharing
Team projects where some members use Windows or Android cannot directly share Procreate (.procreate) files. PSD export works but loses some features. Teams must establish workarounds and accept workflow friction.
Complex illustration hits layer limit mid-project
Artists working on detailed illustrations suddenly cannot add new layers. They must merge existing layers, losing non-destructive editing capability. The project's flexibility is compromised, and future changes become harder.
App crashes during intensive brush work
Large files with many layers and heavy brush use can cause Procreate to crash. While auto-save protects most work, crashes during active strokes lose recent input and break creative flow. Older iPads are more susceptible.