How to Remove Background in Procreate: Step-by-Step Guide

🎨 How to Remove Background in Procreate: Step-by-Step Guide

Removing backgrounds in Procreate is essential for digital artists, designers, and content creators working on iPad. While Procreate offers powerful selection tools, the fastest method to remove background in Procreate is using a Transparent Background Maker first, then importing the result into Procreate for further creative work. This comprehensive guide covers both AI-powered solutions and native Procreate techniques for perfect background removal.

Source: Unsplash

📚 Table of Contents

• 🚀 Quick method: AI background removal
• ✂️ Manual method: Procreate selection tools
• 🎭 Using layer masks for non-destructive editing
• ✨ Advanced techniques: Refining edges
• 📋 Complete step-by-step workflow
• 💡 Pro tips for perfect results
• 🔧 Troubleshooting common issues
• 🎯 Best practices and next steps

🚀 Quick method: AI background removal

The fastest way to remove backgrounds is using an AI-powered Transparent Background Maker before working in Procreate. This method saves significant time and delivers professional results instantly.

Why use AI background removal with Procreate:

• Speed – Process images in 5 seconds vs. 20+ minutes manually
• Precision – AI handles complex edges like hair, fur, and detailed objects perfectly
• Consistency – Batch process multiple images with identical quality
• Focus on creativity – Spend time on art and design instead of tedious selection work
• Mobile-friendly – Works on iPad browser, then import directly to Procreate

Workflow: AI removal + Procreate enhancement

1. Upload to Transparent Background Maker. Open Safari on your iPad, visit Transparent Background Maker, and upload your image. The AI automatically detects and removes the background.
2. Download transparent PNG. Save the result to your iPad Photos library as PNG with transparent background.
3. Import to Procreate. Open Procreate, create a new canvas, and import the PNG from Photos.
4. Enhance and create. Use Procreate's brushes, effects, and tools to add creative elements, refine edges, or composite with other artwork.

This hybrid approach combines AI efficiency with Procreate's artistic capabilities, perfect for digital artists who want professional results quickly.

Source: Pexels

✂️ Manual method: Procreate selection tools

Procreate offers several selection tools for manual background removal. Here's how to use each method effectively on iPad.

Method 1: Automatic Selection Tool

Procreate's Automatic Selection tool uses AI to detect and select your subject automatically.

Steps:

1. Open your image in Procreate.
2. Access Selection tool. Tap the Selection tool icon (S-shaped icon) in the top toolbar.
3. Choose Automatic mode. Tap "Automatic" at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap your subject. Tap on the area you want to keep (your subject). Procreate automatically detects and selects it.
5. Adjust selection. Use the threshold slider to expand or contract the selection. Drag left to shrink, right to expand.
6. Invert selection. Tap "Invert" to select the background instead of the subject.
7. Delete background. Tap the selected area and choose "Cut" or "Clear" to remove the background.

Best for: Clear subjects, portraits, objects with distinct edges

Method 2: Freehand Selection

Freehand Selection lets you draw around your subject manually for precise control.

Steps:

1. Select Freehand mode. Tap the Selection tool, then choose "Freehand" at the bottom.
2. Draw around subject. Use your Apple Pencil or finger to draw a closed path around your subject.
3. Complete the selection. Close the path by connecting back to the starting point.
4. Refine if needed. Use "Add" or "Remove" modes to adjust the selection.
5. Invert and delete. Tap "Invert" to select background, then "Clear" to remove it.

Best for: Complex shapes, custom selections, when automatic selection fails

Method 3: Rectangle and Ellipse Selection

Use geometric selections for simple, regular shapes.

Steps:

1. Choose Rectangle or Ellipse. Tap Selection tool, then select "Rectangle" or "Ellipse."
2. Draw selection. Drag to create the selection shape around your subject.
3. Adjust size. Use corner handles to resize the selection.
4. Invert if needed. If you selected the subject, tap "Invert" to select background.
5. Delete background. Tap "Clear" to remove selected area.

Best for: Simple geometric subjects, quick selections, product photos

Method 4: Color Selection

Color Selection selects all pixels of a similar color, perfect for uniform backgrounds.

Steps:

1. Choose Color mode. Tap Selection tool, then select "Color" at the bottom.
2. Tap the background color. Tap on the area you want to remove (background color).
3. Adjust threshold. Use the threshold slider to control color sensitivity. Higher values select more similar colors.
4. Add or remove areas. Use "Add" or "Remove" modes to refine the selection.
5. Delete background. Tap "Clear" to remove selected background.

Best for: Solid color backgrounds, simple scenes, uniform backgrounds

Source: Pexels

🎭 Using layer masks for non-destructive editing

Layer masks in Procreate allow non-destructive background removal, meaning you can adjust or restore the background later.

Creating a layer mask for background removal

Steps:

1. Make your selection using any selection tool (Automatic, Freehand, etc.).
2. Invert selection. If you selected the subject, tap "Invert" to select the background.
3. Create layer mask. Tap the layer thumbnail, then tap "Mask" in the layer options menu.
4. Fill mask with black. The selected area (background) will be masked out (hidden).
5. Refine mask. Use brushes to paint on the mask: black hides, white reveals.

Benefits of layer masks:

• Non-destructive – Original image remains intact
• Adjustable – Paint on mask to reveal or hide areas
• Reversible – Delete mask to restore original
• Flexible – Combine multiple masks for complex edits

Refining layer masks

To refine your mask:

1. Select the mask thumbnail (not the layer thumbnail).
2. Choose a brush. Select a soft brush for smooth edges or hard brush for sharp edges.
3. Paint with black to hide areas (remove more background).
4. Paint with white to reveal areas (restore parts of subject).
5. Use opacity to create gradual transitions.

✨ Advanced techniques: Refining edges

Professional background removal requires attention to edge quality, especially for hair, fur, and fine details.

Feathering selections for smooth edges

Steps:

1. Make your selection using any tool.
2. Access selection settings. Tap the Selection tool icon again.
3. Apply feathering. Adjust the "Feather" slider to soften edges (1-10 pixels typically).
4. Invert and delete. Select background and delete for smooth, soft edges.

Using Refine Edge (Procreate 5.2+)

Procreate's Refine Edge feature helps perfect selections, especially for hair and complex edges.

Steps:

1. Make initial selection with Automatic or Freehand tool.
2. Tap "Refine Edge." This option appears when you have an active selection.
3. Paint over edges. Use your Apple Pencil to paint over areas that need refinement (hair, fur, etc.).
4. Adjust settings:
   • Smooth – Reduces jagged edges
   • Expand/Contract – Adjusts selection size
   • Feather – Softens edge transitions
5. Apply changes. Tap "Done" to apply refined selection.

Handling transparent and semi-transparent areas

For glass, water, or other transparent elements:

1. Use lower opacity. Instead of fully deleting, reduce layer opacity to preserve transparency effects.
2. Work with blend modes. Experiment with blend modes to maintain realistic transparency.
3. Manual refinement. Use soft brushes on layer masks to create gradual transparency.
4. Preserve highlights. Keep subtle background elements that show through transparent objects.

Removing color contamination

After background removal, you may notice color halos or fringing.

Fix color issues:

1. Select the layer with your subject.
2. Use Color Balance. Go to Adjustments > Color Balance to neutralize color casts.
3. Manual cleanup. Use the Eraser tool with low opacity to remove color contamination.
4. Clone Stamp. Use Clone Stamp to sample and replace contaminated areas.

📋 Complete step-by-step workflow

Here's a complete workflow for removing backgrounds in Procreate, optimized for iPad workflow.

Complete workflow: Remove background in Procreate

Step 1: Prepare your canvas

• Import your image into Procreate (Actions > Add > Insert a photo)
• Duplicate the layer (Layer > Duplicate) to preserve original
• Lock the original layer to prevent accidental edits
• Set canvas size appropriate for your final use (web, print, social media)

Step 2: Choose your method

• Quick results: Use Transparent Background Maker, then import to Procreate
• Simple backgrounds: Use Automatic Selection or Color Selection
• Complex subjects: Use Freehand Selection with Refine Edge
• Non-destructive: Use layer masks instead of deleting

Step 3: Make the selection

• Tap Selection tool (S icon)
• Choose appropriate mode (Automatic, Freehand, Color, etc.)
• Select your subject or background
• Adjust threshold and refine selection

Step 4: Refine edges

• Use Refine Edge for complex subjects (hair, fur)
• Apply feathering for smooth transitions
• Check edges at maximum zoom
• Use Add/Remove modes to perfect selection

Step 5: Remove background

• Invert selection if needed (tap "Invert")
• Delete background (tap "Clear") or create layer mask
• Check for remaining background pixels
• Zoom in to verify edge quality

Step 6: Clean up

• Use Eraser tool to remove stray pixels
• Refine layer mask if using masks
• Use Clone Stamp for final touch-ups
• Check on different background colors

Step 7: Export

• Go to Actions > Share > PNG to preserve transparency
• Or export as PSD to keep layers editable
• Optimize file size if needed
• Save to Photos or share directly

💡 Pro tips for perfect results

Selection tips:

• Use Apple Pencil – More precise than finger for selections
• Zoom in – Work at maximum zoom (pinch to zoom) to see edges clearly
• Combine methods – Use Automatic first, then refine with Freehand
• Save selections – Procreate remembers your last selection temporarily
• Use reference layers – Keep original visible on separate layer for reference

Edge quality tips:

• Feather appropriately – 2-5 pixels for most subjects, more for soft edges
• Test on backgrounds – Place subject on white, black, and colored backgrounds to spot issues
• Use layer masks – Non-destructive editing allows easy adjustments
• Refine Edge is powerful – Spend time here for professional results

Performance tips:

• Close unused layers – Hide layers you're not working on
• Work at appropriate resolution – Higher res = better quality but slower
• Use QuickMenu – Customize QuickMenu for faster tool access
• Save frequently – Procreate auto-saves, but manual saves ensure safety

Workflow efficiency:

• Create actions – Record common selection workflows as Actions
• Use gestures – Learn Procreate gestures for faster workflow
• Organize layers – Name and group layers for complex projects
• Batch process – Use Transparent Background Maker for multiple images

Quality checklist:

• Edges are clean with no halos or fringing
• No background pixels remain around subject
• Fine details (hair, fur) are preserved
• Transparency is maintained in PNG export
• Image looks natural on different background colors
• File size is appropriate for intended use
• Layer organization is clean and logical

🔧 Troubleshooting common issues

Issue: Automatic Selection selects wrong areas

Solution:

• Adjust threshold slider to be more selective
• Use "Remove" mode to subtract unwanted areas
• Try Freehand Selection for more control
• Use Refine Edge to perfect the selection

Issue: Jagged or pixelated edges

Solution:

• Apply feathering (2-5 pixels typically)
• Use Refine Edge for smoother transitions
• Increase canvas resolution before selection
• Use softer brushes when refining masks

Issue: Color halos around edges

Solution:

• Use Color Balance adjustment to neutralize color casts
• Manually clean with Eraser tool at low opacity
• Use Clone Stamp to replace contaminated areas
• Re-select with better threshold settings

Issue: Transparent areas not working in export

Solution:

• Ensure you're exporting as PNG (not JPG)
• Check that background layer is deleted or transparent
• Verify layer opacity is 100%
• Test export by placing on colored background

Issue: Procreate running slowly

Solution:

• Reduce canvas resolution if too high
• Close other apps on iPad to free memory
• Flatten some layers if you have many
• Restart Procreate if it becomes unresponsive

Issue: Selection tool not responding

Solution:

• Check that layer is not locked
• Ensure you're on the correct layer
• Try a different selection mode
• Restart Procreate if tools freeze

Issue: Can't delete background

Solution:

• Ensure you have an active selection
• Check that layer is not locked
• Try "Clear" instead of "Cut"
• Verify you're on the correct layer

🎯 Best practices and next steps

Mastering background removal in Procreate is essential for digital artists, designers, and content creators. Whether you're creating social media graphics, digital art, or professional designs, clean background removal elevates your work.

Best practices for Procreate background removal:

• Choose the right tool – Match selection method to your image and skill level
• Work non-destructively – Use layer masks instead of deleting pixels when possible
• Refine edges carefully – Spend time on Refine Edge for professional results
• Test on backgrounds – Always check how subject looks on different backgrounds
• Combine AI and manual – Use Transparent Background Maker for speed, then enhance in Procreate
• Organize layers – Keep your layer structure clean and logical
• Export appropriately – Choose PNG for transparency, PSD for editable files

When to use AI vs. manual methods:

• Use AI (Transparent Background Maker) for: Speed, batch processing, complex subjects (hair, fur), consistent results, mobile workflow, time-sensitive projects
• Use manual Procreate tools for: Learning, maximum control, specific artistic requirements, when you need custom edge effects, creative experimentation

Workflow recommendations:

1. For speed: Start with Transparent Background Maker on iPad browser, import to Procreate, then add creative elements
2. For learning: Practice with Procreate's native tools to understand selection techniques
3. For precision: Combine AI removal with Procreate's Refine Edge for perfect results
4. For creativity: Use layer masks in Procreate to create artistic background effects

Ready to remove backgrounds like a pro in Procreate? Start with Transparent Background Maker for instant AI-powered results, then import into Procreate for artistic enhancement. This workflow gives you professional-quality transparent backgrounds in seconds, with the creative freedom to add brushes, effects, and artistic elements in Procreate's powerful environment.

Whether you're a digital artist creating illustrations, a designer working on social media content, or a content creator making graphics, mastering background removal in Procreate opens up endless creative possibilities. Combine the speed of AI tools with Procreate's artistic capabilities for the best results every time.