What is the best canvas size for Procreate?

For many digital art workflows, 3000x3000px at 300 DPI is a strong general starting point. For platform-specific work, use exact target dimensions such as 1080x1350 for Instagram portrait or 1280x720 for YouTube thumbnails.

What DPI should I use for digital art?

For print work, use 300 DPI minimum. For screen-only outputs, pixel dimensions matter more than DPI metadata. If you might print later, start at 300 DPI from the beginning.

What canvas size should I use for Instagram?

Use 1080x1080 for square, 1080x1350 for portrait, and 1080x1920 for stories or reels. Matching platform dimensions helps reduce unexpected crop and compression issues.

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?

RGB is the screen color model, while CMYK is a print color model. Most digital publishing should stay in RGB. For professional print workflows, confirm with your print lab whether CMYK is required.

Can I upscale a small canvas without losing quality?

Upscaling raster artwork always introduces some quality loss. AI tools can help moderate scaling, but large print upscales are usually better handled by recreating at correct dimensions.

What canvas size should I use for printing on Etsy?

Popular Etsy printable targets include A4 at 2480x3508px and 8x10 at 2400x3000px, both at 300 DPI. Choose dimensions based on the printable sizes promised in your listing.

Canvas Setup

Canvas Size Finder - Get the Right Dimensions Before You Start

Pick your output type and get exact canvas settings for Procreate, Photoshop, or Illustrator before you draw a single stroke.

Canvas Size Finder

Choose your final output and get exact canvas dimensions, DPI, color mode, and export format before you begin.

I want to make a...

Canvas Size for: Instagram Post (Square)

Width	1080 px
Height	1080 px
DPI / Resolution	72 DPI
Aspect Ratio	1:1
Color Mode	RGB
Recommended Format	PNG

Procreate

New Canvas > Custom Canvas > 1080 x 1080px at 72 DPI

Photoshop

File > New > Width 1080px / Height 1080px / Resolution 72 / Color Mode RGB

Illustrator

New Document > Width 1080px / Height 1080px / Raster Effects 72 PPI

Why does canvas size matter so much?

The most common digital art mistake is starting too small. You can always scale down a large file, but scaling up a small one usually softens detail. Set the right size first and you avoid painful rework.

For screen publishing, platform pixel dimensions are the main priority. For print, you need enough total pixels for your target size at 300 DPI. If you design for both, build at print dimensions first, then export resized social versions.

How to use Canvas Size Finder - Get the Right Dimensions Before You Start

Choose your output from the selector above — pick the platform or print size you are targeting — and the tool shows the exact pixel dimensions, aspect ratio, and DPI to enter when creating a new canvas. Copy these numbers directly into your app's new canvas dialog before drawing anything.

Do not skip this step and resize later. Changing canvas size mid-project on a raster file requires resampling, which softens fine line work and texture. Starting at the correct size takes 30 seconds and avoids rework that can take hours.

If you plan to publish the same artwork to both social media and print, set the canvas to the print dimensions first (higher pixel count), then export a resized copy for social platforms. Going the other direction — starting at social dimensions and trying to upscale for print — almost always produces a blurry result.

The beginner guide to canvas setup in digital art

Most tutorials tell you to enter numbers without explaining how to choose them. Canvas setup is simpler when you break it into three decisions: pixel dimensions, DPI, and color mode. Once these match your output target, exporting and publishing become predictable.

1. Pixel dimensions define usable detail

Pixel dimensions decide how much detail your artwork can hold. For social platforms, matching target dimensions avoids unnecessary platform scaling. For print, use inches times DPI equals pixels to determine required size.

2. DPI matters at print stage

DPI affects physical print density, not screen display sharpness. A screen-only asset can be fine at 72 DPI if dimensions are correct. But if you intend to print, build at 300 DPI and enough pixel dimensions from the start.

3. Color mode depends on destination

RGB is best for screens and digital publishing. CMYK can be required by some print workflows. Many labs accept RGB and handle conversion, but always verify with your printer when color accuracy is critical.

4. Resize strategy: when to recreate

Downsizing is usually safe. Upsizing can soften quality, especially for print. If your file is significantly below target print pixels, recreating at correct canvas settings is often the best long-term move.

Terminology glossary for beginners

DPI

Dots per inch used to describe print density.

PPI

Pixels per inch used for image or display density context.

RGB

Screen-oriented color model used for digital publishing.

CMYK

Print-oriented color model used in many production workflows.

Raster

Pixel-based image that loses quality when heavily upscaled.

Aspect Ratio

The width-to-height shape relationship such as 16:9 or 4:5.

Avoid these 3 mistakes

Starting print-intended projects at 72 DPI defaults and trying to rescue quality later.
Designing only for social dimensions and attempting large prints from those files.
Switching to CMYK too early without confirming actual print-provider requirements.

Internal next steps

Pixels to Print Size Converter - check if an existing file is large enough for your print target.
DPI / PPI Calculator - understand how dimensions translate into print sharpness.
Print Resolution Guide for Artists - full print preflight checklist before client or marketplace delivery.

ArtistTool — free tools for artists and designersSuggest a tool

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