How To Turn Procreate Lettering into SVG Cut Files
If you use the Procreate app for lettering and doodles, then you are one step closer to learning how to turn Procreate lettering into SVG cut files to use with a Silhouette, Cricut or other machine.
I’ve been using Procreate on my iPad for well over a year now to create digital letterings and sometimes doodles. I love how I can easily share, save and convert my work into multiple types of files, without the extra work that comes with digitizing hand lettering.
Creating custom SVG cut files to use with a Silhouette, Cricut or other vinyl cutting machine from your own digital lettering is actually easier than it sounds. You do need to have Adobe Illustrator for this tutorial, but if you are wanting to create custom SVGs for you or to sell, then it’s definitely worth the purchase!
How to Turn Procreate Lettering into SVG Cut Files
The instructions are similar to this tutorial, but since you are starting with a digital file already, you get to skip all of those photo editing steps. Win!
It’s important to note that before sharing your Procreate file to your computer that you should clean up your lines as much as possible. This will save you time when it comes to manipulating the points and paths later on in the tutorial.
Start by opening up a new document, setting the dimensions however big you would like the SVG to be. I set mine for this tutorial at 10″wide by 8″ tall. Then drag and drop your lettering file onto the whiteboard. Resize it to fit.
Next, use the Image Trace command to create paths for your lettering image.
I usually start with the default settings, and then play around with the threshold, paths, and corners settings until I feel that it looks right. Here’s a look at my settings for this particular piece.
Once everything looks the way you want, click on “Expand” along the top toolbar.
Next, drag the entire image off of the white artboard. This way the work is a bit easier to see. You could also view it in Outline mode (command Y or ctrl Y) but I prefer this way. Ungroup the artwork (right click, ungroup) and delete the white background. You should be left with something similar to this:
Now you need to get rid of all of those white interior spaces. Select each individual element and use the Pathfinder tool, Minus Front, to get rid of them. In the “unleash” part, I selected the entire word because it is one element.
However, with “creativity” I had to select each letter and use the Minus Front option because each letter is a separate element.
Continue this step until all of the white spaces are gone from your artwork. You should be left with something like the image below. See why I like to move my graphic off of the white artboard?
Now you can move the image back onto the artboard for the next steps.
Use the direct selection tool (A) to manipulate any points that may not be smooth. Remember that you will be creating an image file for a Silhouette or Cricut to read. You want the paths to be as smooth as you can make it, otherwise, the machine will take forever to read all of those jagged cuts and the final product may not turn out well.
See how the points in this E do not match up? You can drag the points and curves to manipulate how it looks to get the paths as smooth as possible.
Once all of the paths are smoothed out, select the entire piece and use the Pathfinder tool, Unite option. This will close any open paths (if there are any) and will unify the entire piece. I’ve found on some of my pieces that if I forget this step they may not render well in the Silhouette software. Not always, but sometimes.
Next, use the Save As command to save your digital lettering as an SVG cut file. Be sure to check the Use Artboards box before saving. There will be a dialog box that pops up, but the standard settings should be sufficient for what we are doing.
I always like to test my SVG files in both the Silhouette software and in Cricut Design Space, especially those that I am selling in my Etsy Shop. You can download both softwares for free, even if you don’t own a machine. I personally have a Silhouette Cameo and I LOVE it, but I have several friends that own a Cricut. Having the software on my computer to demo things for them and for clients has come in handy!
As a bonus for you, I am offering this “Unleash Your Creativity” SVG cut file as a subscriber freebie this month. Make sure to sign up for the member-only library to download yours and to access the past freebies! You’ll also be signed up for my weekly emails that send out any updates, new freebies and other goodies. Sign up below!
More tutorials you might find interesting:
- Photoshop Tutorial: Remove a White Background from an Image
- Helpful Shortcuts for Procreate
- How to Add a Drop Shadow in Procreate {VIDEO}
- How to Create Social Media Graphic Templates
Hi Amanda –
If you want to eliminate the step of needing to find and delete all the white, just check the box “Ignore white” under the Options area near the bottom of the Image Trace window.
Thanks Susan! I had no idea this was an option. I’ll definitely check it out!
Super helpful! Thanks!
Hello! Found your page based on the post you had put up for “Unleash Your Creativity” – fell in love and have now subscribed to your page much later sadly. Is there any way I would be able to have that SVG file sent to me?
Hi Alexis! Thank you so much for your kind words, that means so much! That particular SVG file is available in the subscriber freebie library. You should have received an email with the link and password when you subscribed. It’s possible the email may have landed in your junk, spam or promotions folder. Please let me know if you are still having trouble accessing the library!
How do I avoid too many points when trying to make a svg in procreate?