As a professional Procreate artist and instructor, I know the importance of having the right screen protector to enhance your Procreate drawing experience.
With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. So in this post, I’ll share my favorite screen protectors designed for drawing on your iPad in Procreate and some tips on what to look for in a screen protector when you are getting one.
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My Picks for the Best iPad Screen Protector for Procreate
I think Paperlike screen protector is perfect for all the digital artists who want to recreate this paper feeling when drawing on their iPads in Procreate. It's especially good for professional artists drawing on Procreate long hours.
Antiglare and smudge free
Available for all iPad models and sizes - iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini
Transparent and thin
Antiglare and smudge free
Available for all iPad models and sizes - iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini
Transparent and thin
Antiglare
Available for all iPad models and sizes - iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini
Transparent and thin
➕ Perfect drawing experience
➕ Great texture
➕ Apple Pencil tip lasts long time
➕ Super easy to apply on the screen
➕ Great sketching experience
➕ Easy to apply
➕ Great drawing feeling considering the price
➖ Texture feels more rough than Paperlike
➖ Texture "bite" wears off faster than Paperlike
I think Paperlike screen protector is perfect for all the digital artists who want to recreate this paper feeling when drawing on their iPads in Procreate. It's especially good for professional artists drawing on Procreate long hours.
Antiglare and smudge free
Available for all iPad models and sizes - iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini
Transparent and thin
➕ Perfect drawing experience
➕ Great texture
➕ Apple Pencil tip lasts long time
➕ Super easy to apply on the screen
Antiglare and smudge free
Available for all iPad models and sizes - iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini
Transparent and thin
➕ Great sketching experience
➕ Easy to apply
➖ Texture feels more rough than Paperlike
Antiglare
Available for all iPad models and sizes - iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad Mini
Transparent and thin
➕ Great drawing feeling considering the price
➖ Texture "bite" wears off faster than Paperlike
Join 1000s of artists and get my custom-made Procreate brushes - 🎨 Watercolor Brush Set, 🖌️ Gouache Brush Set, ✏️ Sketching Brush Set, and more ...
My Pick: Paperlike Matte Screen Protector for iPad
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🌟 NEW Bubble-Free Butterfly Install System
For iPad Pro 12.9 (2018 - 2022) - also available for other models
True Paper-Feel, Protects Pencil Tip
As a digital artist myself, I highly recommend the Paperlike screen protector for anyone who wants to have this intuitive experience of drawing on paper while using Procreate on their iPad. Particularly for those who spend long hours making professional artwork.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ 🌟 NEW Butterfly Installation System | ➖ Price |
| ➕ Perfect drawing experience | |
| ➕ Great texture and paperlike feel | |
| ➕ Super easy to apply on the screen | |
| ➕ Apple Pencil tips last relatively long time |
Value Pick: Bellemond Screen Protector for iPad
The Original Made in Japan Paper Screen Protector for iPad Pro 12.9" 6th / 5th / 4th / 3rd Generation (2022/21/20/18) - Matte Surface PET Film for Writing & Drawing
In my opinion, the Bellemond drawing screen protector is a great option for digital artists using Procreate on their iPads, as it strikes a balance between price and quality. And it has a textured surface that mimics the feeling of sketching on paper.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ Price | ➖ Texture feels more rough than Paperlike |
| ➕ Great sketching experience | ➖ Wears down Apple Pencil tip faster |
| ➕ Easy to apply |
Join 1000s of artists and get my custom-made Procreate brushes - 🎨 Watercolor Brush Set, 🖌️ Gouache Brush Set, ✏️ Sketching Brush Set, and more ...
Budget Pick: Bersem Paperfeel Screen Protector for iPad
3 Pack | Different sizes available
Compatible with iPad Pro 12.9 Inch without Home Button,iPad pro 12.9 5th Generation Matte PET Film for Drawing Anti-Glare, Face ID Compatible, Paperfeel Film
I think the Bersem Paperfeel screen protector is a great option for digital artists who are just starting out with Procreate or those who don’t want to spend too much on a screen protector, but still want to experience the paper-like feel while drawing on their iPad.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ Price | ➖ Texture “bite” wears off faster than Paperlike |
| ➕ Great drawing feeling considering the price | ➖ Visible smudges |
What Should You Look Out For When Getting Your Screen Protector for Drawing on Procreate?
Matte Finish
I think that a matte finish is an absolute must to make your drawing experience in Procreate feel like drawing on paper.
I have been using a matte screen protector for drawing on Procreate, and I’ve found out that selecting a matte screen protector is a must when you are getting iPad for drawing with Procreate.
Most importantly, a matte finish provides just the right amount of friction for your Apple Pencil.
Too much friction can make it hard to draw smoothly, but too little friction can make it hard to control your lines. A good matte finish strikes the perfect balance, giving you just enough resistance to make drawing feel natural and intuitive.
Matte finish can reduce glare and reflections on your iPad screen, which can be really distracting when you’re trying to focus on your artwork.
Matte finish also helps to reduce fingerprint smudges, which can also be annoying if you’re using your iPad for long drawing sessions.
Texture
When it comes to screen protectors for drawing on Procreate, I think the texture is another important thing to consider.
In my opinion, the right texture can make a huge difference in your drawing experience on Procreate iPad.
For instance, if the texture is too smooth, you may find that your stylus slips and slides too much, making it hard to get the precision you need. In that case, the screen protector is pretty much only for protecting your iPad screen against scratches, but it’s not really for drawing.
On the other hand, if the texture is too rough, you may find that it feels scratchy and uncomfortable on your stylus, making it difficult to create smooth lines. What is more, a very rough texture wears down the tip of your Apple Pencil too fast. And let me tell you, those Apple Pencil tips are not the cheapest.
That’s why it’s important to find a screen protector with a texture that suits your needs.
Some artists prefer a rougher texture that provides more friction between the stylus and the screen, while others prefer a smoother texture that allows for quicker, more fluid strokes.
It’s all about what you like better and a trade-off between the texture and how often you change your Apple Pencil tips. I think you should try more of them and find the texture that feels best for you.
For example, I draw on Procreate almost every day for several hours, and with my Paperlike screen protector, I change my Apple Pencil tip every 2-3 months.
Transparency and clearness
Transparency and clearness are important to consider if you, like me, work a lot with colors in your artworks.
I want a drawing screen protector that doesn’t affect the color accuracy of my iPad screen and doesn’t make my art look washed out.
I recommend looking for a screen protector with high transparency and clearness ratings.
This will ensure that your artwork looks as vibrant and crisp as it should.
Most of the screen protectors also have anti-glare coatings to reduce reflections and improve visibility in bright environments.
Thickness
Then, also consider the thickness of the screen protector.
Yes, a thicker screen protector may provide more protection against scratches and impact, but it can also affect the touch sensitivity and pencil-to-screen experience of your iPad.
So, if you want the most natural drawing experience, look for a screen protector that is thin. I’ve also found another advantage of a thin screen protector – it’s quite easy to apply on your iPad screen. That’s super great because I hate those little bubbles which sometimes appear on my smartphone.
🤩 Join Art Club with Iva for access to popular PROCREATE classes, workshops, creative skills practice, my drawing process, references, Procreate brushes use inspiration, and more.
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Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
