Coloring Pages for Procreate: A Simple Guide to Digital Coloring on iPad
By Shni Luna · · 9 min read · Digital Coloring
Coloring pages for Procreate are a simple way to turn your iPad into a relaxing creative space. Open a ready-made page, choose a color, and fill one small area at a time.
You do not need paints, pencils, or drawing experience. Procreate lets you zoom into tiny details, work on separate layers, undo mistakes, and save your progress whenever you want to pause.
This guide explains which file to open, how to set up your layers, and whether a brush or ColorDrop is the better place to start.
Want to test the process first? Try a free coloring page.
What are coloring pages for Procreate?
They are digital coloring files you can import into Procreate and color directly on your iPad. Instead of printing the page, you use a finger or stylus as your pencil and the app as your palette.
Common types include:
- clean line-art coloring pages
- paint-by-number and color-by-number pages
- printable coloring pages used digitally
- contour pages for choosing your own colors
Can you use paint-by-number pages in Procreate?
Yes. Paint-by-number pages are especially beginner-friendly because the creative decisions are already organized for you. Each shape contains a number or letter, and each symbol matches a color in the included palette.
You can sample the matching color, fill every area with that symbol, and continue until the full illustration appears. If you want to understand the format first, read Digital Paint by Number.
Why Procreate works well for coloring
Procreate gives you useful tools without changing the calm, step-by-step feeling of coloring. You can:
- zoom in for small shapes and clean edges
- keep the original page and your colors on separate layers
- sample colors directly from the included palette
- fill larger areas quickly with ColorDrop
- undo, redo, recolor, and save your progress
- export the finished artwork as an image
What file type works best?
A high-resolution PNG is the best place to start. PNG files keep linework and small symbols clear while you zoom, and Procreate can import them directly from the Files or Photos app.
Shni Luna pages are supplied as high-resolution PNG files. For a first session, open the Numbers + Color Palette Page so the numbered artwork and palette stay together on one canvas.
Which Shni Luna file should you open?
- Numbers + Color Palette Page: the easiest option for beginners because the guide and palette are in one file.
- Numbered Page: useful when you want the artwork larger and can keep the palette open separately.
- Contour Page: a clean outline for free coloring with your own palette.
- Navigation Map: a finished-color reference that helps you check where each shade belongs.
- Color Palette: a separate compact guide to all included colors.
See every file version in the How to Start Coloring guide.
How to use a coloring page in Procreate
- Download and unzip your files. Save the PNG pages somewhere easy to find in the iPad Files app.
- Open Procreate. Stay in the Gallery, where you can create or import artwork.
- Import the PNG. Tap Import, then select the Numbers + Color Palette Page. Procreate creates a new canvas from the image.
- Keep the original page on its own layer. Rename it “Line art” so it is easy to recognize.
- Add a color layer. Place it below the line-art layer, then set the line art to Multiply so the outlines stay visible.
- Pick a palette color. Hold a finger on the swatch to sample it, then color every area with the matching symbol.
- Export a copy when you are finished. Procreate saves the editable artwork as you work; export a PNG or JPEG to share or print.
For a broader walkthrough that also covers other drawing apps, read the Digital Coloring Guide.
A simple layer setup for beginners
You only need two layers to begin:
- Top layer: the original coloring page, set to Multiply.
- Bottom layer: your colors.
Keeping the source page separate protects the linework and makes corrections easier. Add more color layers later if you want to organize the background, large shapes, or details.
Should you use a brush or ColorDrop?
Coloring with a brush
A solid brush gives you the most control. Keep opacity at 100%, zoom in, and color each area by hand. This is the safest method for tiny details and shapes with narrow edges.
Using ColorDrop
ColorDrop fills a closed area quickly. To keep the linework and color separate, tap the line-art layer and choose Reference, then make the color layer active before dropping in a color.
If the fill crosses the outline or leaves a pale edge, keep holding after you drop the color and slide left or right to adjust the threshold. Start with a brush if you are new, then try ColorDrop on larger shapes once the layer setup feels familiar.
Prefer to watch the process? See the short How to Color in Procreate tutorial.
How to choose your first Procreate coloring page
Choose a design you genuinely like, with clear shapes, a pleasant palette, and not too many tiny details. Around 200–300 objects gives many beginners enough variety without making the first project feel endless.
The process should feel inviting. A simpler page helps you learn the tools before you move on to more detailed artwork.
Beginner-friendly coloring pages for Procreate
Can you print Procreate coloring pages?
Yes. A high-resolution coloring page can work both digitally and on paper. Use the Numbered Page when you want the symbols as a guide, or print the Contour Page for clean line art and choose your own colors.
Learn about paper, print size, and materials in the Printable Coloring Guide.
Coloring in Procreate vs coloring on paper
| Procreate | Paper |
|---|---|
| Undo and recolor easily | Enjoy a screen-free activity |
| Zoom in on small details | Use real pencils, markers, or pens |
| No physical supplies or cleanup | Keep a physical finished page |
| Color anywhere with your iPad | Enjoy a traditional coloring experience |
Neither option is better. Choose the one that fits your mood, or use the same Shni Luna design both ways.
Tips for coloring pages in Procreate
- use a high-resolution PNG
- start with the Numbers + Color Palette Page
- choose a solid brush and keep opacity at 100%
- zoom in before coloring small areas
- protect the original page on a separate layer
- try ColorDrop after you are comfortable with the basic workflow
- keep the editable Procreate artwork when exporting a final image
- begin with a simpler design and color at your own pace
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any coloring page in Procreate?
You can use many coloring pages in Procreate if they are supplied as an image file. A high-resolution PNG is usually the most comfortable choice because the lines stay clearer when you zoom in.
Do I need an Apple Pencil?
No. You can color with your finger or another compatible stylus, but an Apple Pencil makes small shapes and fine details easier to control.
Are Shni Luna pages made for Procreate?
Yes. Shni Luna coloring pages are supplied as high-resolution PNG files that work in Procreate and other drawing apps. Each design includes several versions for digital and printable coloring.
Which file should I open first?
Start with the Numbers + Color Palette Page. It keeps the numbered artwork and its matching palette together in one file, so you do not need to switch between images.
Can I use ColorDrop for paint by number?
Yes. ColorDrop is useful for larger closed shapes. Set the line-art layer as a Reference layer, fill on a separate layer, and adjust the threshold if color crosses a boundary or leaves a white edge.
Can I choose my own colors?
Yes. You can follow the included palette or open the Contour Page and create your own color scheme.
Can I print the finished Procreate artwork?
Yes. Export the finished artwork from Procreate and print it, or print the original Numbered or Contour Page and color it on paper.
Start coloring in Procreate
Choose one page, open it in Procreate, pick one color, and begin with one small area. There is no need to rush or make every stroke perfect.
Save your progress, return whenever you have a quiet moment, and let the picture come together at your own pace.
