What is the easiest way to swap colors in Procreate?

December 22, 2025 · caitlin

Swapping colors in Procreate is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your digital art workflow. By utilizing Procreate’s intuitive color tools, you can quickly and efficiently change colors in your artwork without disrupting your creative process.

How to Easily Swap Colors in Procreate

To swap colors in Procreate, use the Color Drop and Alpha Lock features. First, select the color you want to use from the color palette. Then, drag and drop it onto the area you wish to change. Ensure that Alpha Lock is enabled to maintain the integrity of your artwork’s details.

What is Color Drop in Procreate?

Color Drop is a feature in Procreate that allows you to fill areas with color effortlessly. By dragging a selected color from the color wheel and dropping it onto your canvas, you can quickly change large areas of your artwork.

How to Use Alpha Lock for Color Swapping?

Alpha Lock is a powerful tool that confines your color changes to existing pixels, preventing overflow into unwanted areas. To use Alpha Lock:

  1. Select the layer you wish to modify.
  2. Tap the layer thumbnail to open the layer options.
  3. Choose Alpha Lock from the menu.
  4. Apply your new color using the Color Drop feature.

Using Selection Tool for Precise Color Changes

For more precision, the Selection Tool can be used to isolate specific areas before applying color changes. Here’s how:

  1. Tap the Selection Tool icon (S-shaped ribbon) at the top.
  2. Choose a selection mode like Freehand or Automatic.
  3. Outline or tap the area you wish to change.
  4. Use Color Drop to apply the new color within the selection.

Practical Example: Swapping Colors in a Character Design

Consider a character design with a blue shirt that you want to change to red:

  • Step 1: Use the Selection Tool to outline the shirt.
  • Step 2: Enable Alpha Lock on the shirt’s layer.
  • Step 3: Select a red color from the palette.
  • Step 4: Use Color Drop to fill the selection with the new color.

This method ensures that only the shirt changes color, preserving the rest of your design.

People Also Ask

How Do I Change the Background Color in Procreate?

To change the background color in Procreate, tap the Layers panel, select the Background Color option, and choose your desired color from the color wheel. This change will apply only to the background layer, leaving other layers unaffected.

Can I Swap Colors in Procreate Without Affecting Shadows?

Yes, by using Alpha Lock or the Clipping Mask feature, you can swap colors without altering shadows or highlights. These tools ensure that only the base colors are changed, preserving the tonal variations.

What is the Best Way to Match Colors in Procreate?

The Eyedropper Tool is ideal for matching colors in Procreate. Tap and hold on a color in your artwork to activate the Eyedropper, which will select and match the exact color for use elsewhere in your project.

Is There a Shortcut for Color Drop in Procreate?

Yes, you can customize gestures in Procreate to make Color Drop even faster. Go to Actions > Prefs > Gesture Controls and set a gesture for Color Drop, such as tapping with a specific number of fingers.

How Do I Save a Color Palette in Procreate?

To save a color palette, tap the Color button, go to Palettes, and then tap the + icon to create a new palette. You can then add colors by selecting them and tapping the palette squares.

Conclusion

Swapping colors in Procreate is an essential skill for digital artists, allowing for creative flexibility and efficiency. By mastering tools like Color Drop, Alpha Lock, and the Selection Tool, you can easily modify your artwork’s color scheme while maintaining its integrity.

For more tips on digital art, explore our guides on layer management in Procreate and creating custom brushes. These resources can further enhance your artistic capabilities and streamline your creative process.

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