Ready to get tech-y with me? Lettering on the iPad is one of my favorite ways to letter, and it's so much easier to start than most people think. Here's exactly what you need (and what you don't), plus my best tips for getting started.
The quick answer
- An iPad that works with the Procreate app.
- The Procreate app, a one-time purchase in the App Store (no subscription).
- An Apple Pencil with pressure sensitivity so you can make thick and thin strokes, just like a brush pen.
- Optional: lettering brushes and practice guides to trace.
What you need for iPad lettering
1. An iPad
The only requirement is to make sure your iPad works with Procreate, the app we use for lettering. If you already have an iPad, you can find your model by going to Settings > General > About. The Procreate listing in the App Store shows which iPads it's compatible with.
2. The Procreate app
This is the app I get asked about the most, and I think it is the absolute best for lettering on an iPad. It's a one-time purchase in the App Store (it's been $12.99, which I think is SUCH a good price for such a powerful app). It's only available on iPad, not iPhone or other tablets.
➡️ Before you start looking into Procreate, promise me you won't get intimidated!! People use it for lots of very advanced digital art. Don't let that scare you! You only need a handful of tools to start lettering.
3. An Apple Pencil (choose one with pressure!)
I use an Apple Pencil and I highly recommend it. Pressure is how we create thick and thin strokes in Procreate, just like with a brush pen, so make sure you get a model with pressure sensitivity:
- Apple Pencil Pro: pressure sensitive ✔️
- Apple Pencil (2nd generation): pressure sensitive ✔️
- Apple Pencil (1st generation): pressure sensitive ✔️
- Apple Pencil (USB-C): no pressure sensitivity. It will work, but you'll letter with the faux calligraphy method below.
Each Apple Pencil only works with certain iPads, so check Apple's Apple Pencil compatibility list before you buy.
Don't have an Apple Pencil? You can still letter!
Other styluses work in Procreate, but they won't have the pressure feature. Here's the difference:
An Apple Pencil with pressure (left) lets you control the thickness of your strokes. Other styluses (right) make lines of consistent thickness, but you can add to them!
You can create the calligraphy look the same way we do with markers: faux calligraphy. Just go back and thicken your downstrokes by hand, like this:
So don't feel like you can't do iPad lettering if your stylus isn't pressure sensitive! (Here's more about faux calligraphy.)
Nice to have: a screen protector and case
Not a necessity, but a matte screen protector can make the screen feel a little more like paper, and a good case protects your iPad. I show my favorites in my iPad course.
My top tips for digital lettering on iPad
- Use a brush made for lettering. The right brush gives you smooth, consistent strokes. My Procreate brush set includes 4 brushes I designed just for lettering.
- Trace before you freehand. Import a practice sheet, lower its opacity, and trace on a new layer. It's the fastest way to build muscle memory.
- Use layers. Keep guides on one layer and your lettering on another, so you can erase and adjust without messing up your guides.
- Turn on the Drawing Guide (Actions > Canvas > Drawing Guide) to get a grid for straight baselines.
- Undo without stress. Tap the screen with two fingers to undo. This is the most freeing part of iPad lettering!
- Keep the same lettering basics. Heavy pressure on downstrokes, light on upstrokes, just like a brush pen.
Learn iPad lettering with me
My course, The Basics of iPad Lettering with Procreate, starts at the very beginning and teaches you step by step how to use Procreate at your level. It includes 2 custom Procreate brushes, a 16-page lettering practice download to trace and practice, and nearly 3 hours of video tutorials. Here's a peek inside the course.
iPad lettering FAQ
What do I need to start iPad lettering?
An iPad, a stylus (ideally an Apple Pencil with pressure sensitivity), and the Procreate app, which you buy separately in the App Store.
What if I have a tablet that is NOT an iPad?
Procreate only works on iPad, so my course focuses on iPads, not Android or other tablets.
What if my stylus isn't pressure sensitive?
You can still letter! The only difference is how you thicken your downstrokes: instead of using pressure, you go back and thicken them by hand with faux calligraphy.
Is iPad lettering harder than brush pen lettering?
Not at all. Many people find it easier because you can undo, zoom in and trace guides. The same basics apply: thick downstrokes, thin upstrokes.
What if I don't have time to do the course right away?
No worries! You get lifetime access, so you can log in and complete the course any time, as many times as you want, on as many devices as you want.
I can't wait for you to get started!
Xo❤️ -Lisa
PS... If you prefer brush pen or marker lettering, you can browse all of my workbooks here. Not sure which style to learn first? Here's my guide to the best online lettering courses for beginners.
