Creating engaging animations in Procreate can be a game-changer for digital artists, illustrators, and animators alike. But with so many customization options available, one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects is choosing the right canvas size. A poor decision in this area can lead to wasted time, laggy performance, or even projects that fail to export properly. Understanding the best canvas size for animation in Procreate can help ensure that your work is smooth, vibrant, and ready for sharing.
TLDR:
For most Procreate animations, a canvas size of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 72 DPI is ideal. It offers a great balance between quality and performance. Smaller sizes like 1280 x 720 are useful for quick drafts, while larger formats like 4K (3840 x 2160) may reduce frame allowance. Always consider your device specs and project goals before choosing a size.
Why Canvas Size Matters in Animation
When creating animations, the canvas size you select directly impacts the performance and the number of frames you can create within a single file. Procreate uses your device’s RAM to determine how many animation frames you can make — the bigger the canvas, the fewer the frames.
Incorrect canvas sizes can result in:
- Longer export times
- Sluggish performance as the file grows
- Loss of quality when resizing during export
Your animation goals—whether it’s social media clips, storyboarding, or high-resolution portfolio pieces—will largely influence which canvas size is right for you.
Recommended Canvas Sizes Based on Project Type
Here’s a breakdown of popular use cases and the ideal canvas sizes for each:
1. Social Media Content
For Instagram reels, TikToks, and other short-form videos, vertical and square formats are common.
- 1080 x 1920 pixels – Perfect for vertical videos commonly used in stories and reels
- 1080 x 1080 pixels – Ideal for square posts
These sizes maintain image clarity and perform well even on lower-spec iPads.
2. YouTube or Portfolio Animations
For artists creating longer-form pieces or professional-quality animations, HD resolution is a good choice.
- 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) – A great balance between quality and capability
- 1280 x 720 pixels (HD) – Suitable for rough animations or where file size matters
Procreate allows a fair number of frames at these sizes while keeping the animation visually impressive.
3. Large-Scale Projects or Printing
If you plan to print your frames or present animations at conferences, you might aim for higher resolutions.
- 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K) – Ultra-high-definition; use with caution due to frame limitations
Animations at 4K need more memory per frame, so expect fewer frames and slower rendering times.
Canvas DPI: Does It Matter for Animation?
DPI (dots per inch) usually affects print quality. However, for screen-based animations, DPI has minimal impact. Procreate defaults to 132 DPI, but for animation purposes, a lower setting like 72 DPI is perfectly fine and can even improve performance by slightly reducing memory usage.
Tablet Limitations and Frame Counts
A common mistake is opting for visual clarity at the expense of animation length. The iPad’s hardware limits how much Procreate can handle—especially in terms of RAM. The newer iPads (like the iPad Pro M1 and M2) can manage higher canvas sizes and allow significantly more frames than older models. Here’s a rough frame guideline when using different canvas sizes:
- 1920 x 1080 px: 100–120 frames depending on device
- 1280 x 720 px: up to 250+ frames
- 3840 x 2160 px (4K): sometimes limited to only 20–40 frames
Keep in mind that these are approximate numbers and will vary based on the number of layers and complexity of each frame.
Tips for Optimizing Performance in Procreate
If you’re pushing the limits of your iPad or trying to get more frames from a particular canvas size, use these tips:
- Limit the number of layers per frame
- Use lower-resolution brushes and texture assets when possible
- Break your animation into multiple files and stitch them together later in post-processing software
- Animate on 2s instead of 1s (one drawing every two frames instead of one per frame)
Conclusion
Choosing the best canvas size for animation in Procreate depends largely on your project goals and the capabilities of your device. A canvas size of 1920 x 1080 px at 72 DPI is widely considered to be the sweet spot — large enough for great-quality resolution while still allowing a reasonable number of animation frames. For quick drafts or social media content, smaller sizes like 1280 x 720 px work wonders. If you’re going all-out on presentation with no frame limits, 4K is an option—but proceed with caution.
Most importantly, always test your setup before committing to a full project. What works best for one animator may not be ideal for another depending on workflow, available hardware, and intended output.
FAQs
- What is the best canvas size for animation in Procreate?
- The recommended size is 1920 x 1080 px at 72 DPI for most projects. It allows great quality and a decent frame count.
- Can I animate at 4K resolution in Procreate?
- Yes, but be aware that you’ll be limited in the number of frames you can create due to the higher memory consumption.
- Does DPI matter for animation?
- If your animation is for screen use, DPI is generally irrelevant. Use 72 DPI to save on memory and improve performance.
- What happens if my animation exceeds the frame limit?
- Procreate will prevent you from adding more frames. You’ll need to optimize your current canvas or split the animation into parts.
- How do I fix lag in an animation canvas?
- Reduce your canvas size, lower brush complexity, limit active layers, or animate on 2s to enhance performance.
