I've been illustrating on my iPad with Procreate for a couple of years and love the intuitive feel, but I'm hitting some limits with layer management and file prep for large prints. I keep hearing the Procreate vs Photoshop for illustration debate, but most comparisons focus on painting. For someone who does detailed line work and flat colors, is learning Photoshop's more complex system worth the headache for the control, or should I just push Procreate's limits further?
If you're already comfortable in Procreate, frame the decision around your print workflow. Define target specs (resolution, color space, bleed, file format), then test whether Procreate can meet them end-to-end or if you need Photoshop for color management and proofing. For a large print, you might still do color-critical steps in a tool with robust color profiles, while keeping line work and flat colors in Procreate. What are your target print specs and the biggest bottlenecks in your workflow today?
Photoshop is powerful but not magic; you can push Procreate further in your workflow and keep your sanity. Do you primarily need color management or file prep for print?
Hybrid approach: use Procreate for the creative stages, export to Photoshop or a print-specific app for color grading and print prep; maintain a shared workflow with consistent color profiles. Have you tested using 16-bit TIFF exports and soft proofing in Photoshop?
Create a simple three-stage workflow: sketch/line in Procreate, finalize color flats in Procreate, then do finishing passes in Photoshop with non-destructive adjustment layers. Use PSD export to maintain layers. How would you map your current steps into that pipeline?
Don't assume you need a single powerhouse tool for every step. For many illustrators, a lightweight two-tool workflow reduces cognitive load: Procreate for drawing and color blocks, Photoshop for proofing, LUTs, and print-ready exports. Might that balance work for your project?
Try a mini pilot: pick a recent piece, port it into Photoshop and compare how much time you spend prepping files, adjusting colors, and exporting for large print. If you see meaningful time savings or better color fidelity, your workflow has a winner; if not, you double down on Procreate tweaks. Interested in trying that?
To stay efficient in Procreate, I’d batch export options, build a preflight checklist for print, and ensure you keep a sane layer scheme so you can hand to collaborators. What would your ideal end-to-end workflow look like for a print piece?