Digital Lettering Essentials

In my last blog post, I gave y’all my Handlettering Supply List and spilled the beans on what pens, pencils, and paper I reach for constantly. But if you’re going to be pursuing illustration more professionally, want to learn animation, or learn relevant skills, it’s a good idea to look into methods for digitizing your art. Having digital artwork opens up new possibilities for creativity and for additional revenue streams, such as opening an online shop or licensing your designs.

This post will cover the items that I use for digital art and lettering but are by no means your only option. There's a wide selection of tablets, apps, and software available for artists in every field, and an iPad Pro can be a good investment whether you're an amateur, hobbyist, or professional. 

As a work-from-home freelance artist, I own an iPad Pro 11” 2018 with 64GB storage, and only recently purchased a refurbished 2015 Macbook Pro. It’s the setup that works for me right now as I create GIFS, social media content, and custom lettering for clients.

Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate, and if you go through them to make a purchase, I might earn a small amount of revenue. Whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you. :) 

Photographing and Scanning

One of the most common methods for digitizing your artwork is to take a photo of your painting/drawing and import that file to your computer. However, it can be tricky to capture the details in the art and to get the lighting just right. Use a tripod on a level surface to get the clearest image possible and reduce your editing time.

A more popular method is to simply scan the original artwork, whether it’s with a standalone scanner or the one that’s attached to your printer. Adjust the brightness and contrast settings as needed, and finish editing your file in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. But doing most your work with a mouse can take a toll on your arm/shoulder and be extremely labor-intensive - so this is where the iPad comes in to play.

iPads and Apple Pencils: Which one should you get?

The iPad and Apple Pencil have changed the digital art game, with many artists finding it faster and more natural to draw with a physical/digital pencil instead of with a mouse. With the ability to quickly edit, scale, and share your work, iPads can speed up your workflow and allow you to create from almost anywhere. It's an amazingly capable device, even if you aren’t a part of the Apple ecosystem, but not everyone needs or wants those professional-grade features. With more options available than ever before, it’s up to you to figure out which model fits your needs and your budget. 

Currently, every model of iPad that Apple sells right now works with an Apple Pencil. The iPad, iPad Air 3, and iPad mini 5 all work with the first-generation Pencil, while the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models work with the second-generation Pencil.  

Quick PSA though: owning an iPad will not make you a better artist. It’s another tool in your kit for you to learn and use to the best of your ability, but it’s up to you to bring the skills to the table. Keep that in mind, don't ignore your pens and paper forever, and you should be fine. ;) Everything is linked below so that you can check out the specs, but I encourage you to price hunt, look for deals, and check out refurbished options. Take into account any accessories you’ll need, such as a case, screen protector, and drawing/creative apps.

1st Gen Apple Pencil Compatible

Apple iPad 10.2-inch 7th gen (from $319) - The most affordable option by far. It’s a good choice thanks to the Apple Pencil support, the older A10 processor, and Smart Keyboard compatibility. But take note, it has more space between the glass and the screen than the iPad Air, Mini, and Pro, so it isn’t the best choice for precision drawing with the Apple Pencil.

Apple iPad Mini 2019 (from $399) - A small but mighty device. Some folks might get annoyed with drawing on the 7.9” screen, but you get almost all of Apple’s latest features for a low price point. 

Apple iPad Air 10.5" 2019 (from $479) - The biggest difference between the iPad Air and the new Mini is the larger screen size but lower pixel density. Thanks to the included Smart Connector, you can use the iPad Air with Apple’s new Smart Keyboard.

1st Gen Apple Pencil ($99) - The original pencil that still charges via a lightning connector or by plugging it directly into your device, which can look and feel a little wierd.

2nd Gen Apple Pencil Compatible

Apple iPad Pro 11” 2018 (from $699) - The 2018 iPad Pros are not available on Apple's website anymore, but you can get them from other retailers for a discount. They're the same size, weight, resolution, and display as the 2020 models. 

Apple iPad Pro 11” 2020 (from $799) - The 2020 iPad Pro saw some slight improvements on the previous iterations, with the most notable differences being the A12Z Bionic Chip, the front and back-facing camera improvements, and the microphone upgrades.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9”2018 (from $899) - The larger size iPad that a lot of artists prefer. It’s less portable than the 11” but the extra screen space makes up for that.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9” 2020 (from $999) - The 2020 version that’s the most edpensive of the bunch, but also the biggest and the relative best. A serious tool for serious professionals.

2nd Gen Apple Pencil ($129) - The second version of the Apple Pencil that only works with the iPad Pro models and supports gestures and magnetic/wireless charging. 

Accessories and Apps

Apple Pencil Wraps ($10) - Customize the look of your Apple Pencil AND help you keep a better grip on the somewhat slick surface. These wraps from Mark Caneso are my favorite.

Pencil Tips ($20) - Depending on your screen proctor and how hard you’re pressing, you might find that you need to replace your Apple Pencil tips from time to time.

Note: Paperlike (the brand) doesn’t currently make screen protectors for all iPad models, so I recommend searching Amazon.com with the keywords “matte screen protector” and/or “paper like screen protector” and reading the reviews to make an informed decision. A matte/paper-like screen protector will give your pencil tip more texture than the slick glass screen and allow for greater precision when drawing. It’s definitely a must.

Paperlike Screen Protector iPad Pro 11” ($37) - The iPad screen protector that lets you draw and write with the feel of actual paper.

Paperlike Screen Protector iPad Pro 12.9” ($37)

iPad Pro 11 Screen Protector ($17) - This is the original screen protector I used before switching to the Paperlike. It’s less expensive and applies easily, but I found that this one seemed to wear down my Apple Pencil tips quicker that other screen protectors.

Note: There are endless options for iPad cases so I can’t share them all here, but I’ll link the one I use here and encourage you to do some research if you don’t want to pay $79 for Apple’s most basic case.

iPad Pro Case 11” White ($13) - An inexpensive case with bumpers that has held up well for the last year or so.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses - Working with screens has been known to cause headache and eye strain, but these blue light blocking glasses have virtually eliminated those complaints for me. 10/10 would recommend, especially since you can snag some without a prescription.

Procreate ($10) - Full of professional grade features, intuitive controls, and endless brush options, it’s award-winning and the best drawing app of the moment. It’s crazy capable and I’ve used it to edit photos and create product/mural mockups.

Elizabeth Gray's Procreate Brush Kit - From monoweights to fineliners, this bundle includes my favorite digital brushes, grids, and guides. It's everything that I use in all of my personal and professional lettering work at a massive savings of 50% off.

Graphic ($9) - Less detailed drawings, more vectors. Graphic is geared towards graphic designers and has all the tools you need to make powerful vectors and scalable artworks.

Adobe Fresco ($10 per month) - While the app comes with amazing live brushes that mimic paints like watercolor and gouache, it doesn’t have as many features or the natural, intuitive feel of Procreate. If you have a CC subscription, Adobe Fresco is free; if not, you can purchase Fresco for a monthly subscription, which makes it the most expensive on this list.

While the iPad Pro isn’t an absolute necessity, it’s a worthy tool to have in your arsenal and I absolutely love mine. If you’re interested in some tips to improve your digital lettering, I’ll be talking about ways to add shadows and depth - see y’all then!