How to Remove Background in Procreate: Complete Tutorial + Smart Alt

Do you wish you could remove backgrounds in Procreate without endlessly zooming in and erasing every detail? Procreate gives artists full control, but it also demands patience and careful effort. With the right techniques, you can save yourself from unnecessary trial and error. In this tutorial, we'll cover a complete workflow to make the process much easier. By the end, you'll not only master how to remove background in Procreate but also unlock a faster tool that transforms background editing into a one-click process. Let's explore the steps that will save you time and boost your workflow.

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What is Procreate background removal and why artists struggle with it

Procreate is a leading digital art app for iPad that allows artists to remove backgrounds manually, but its default non-transparent canvas often causes confusion when exporting PNGs. The process is also time-consuming, involving constant zooming, tracing, and detailed adjustments that can easily become tedious. On top of that, destructive editing risks add another layer of frustration, making background removal a challenging task. While Procreate offers full creative control, these workflow hurdles ultimately slow down creators who need a faster and more reliable way to achieve clean, transparent results.

Procreate remove background capabilities: Manual precision toolkit

Procreate provides several manual methods for background removal, allowing artists to achieve clean results with careful effort and precision. These techniques, however, demand both artistic skill and considerable time to master, which can slow down the creative process. To better understand how the platform handles this task, let's explore its remove background capabilities.

Selection tools and manual cutouts

Procreate offers Freehand, Automatic, and Rectangle selection tools that help isolate subjects, and artists often rely on the zoom-and-trace method to achieve accuracy, yet handling intricate details such as hair or fur remains difficult, making the process time-consuming and demanding of artistic skill, where professional results require both patience and precision.

Layer masks and non-destructive editing

Layer masks in Procreate allow artists to remove backgrounds without permanently altering their artwork, using a brush-based workflow where edges can be refined with different brush sizes while the original image data remains intact, and for more complex compositions, multiple masks can be combined, though mastering this professional method requires patience and practice.

Advanced techniques and workflow optimization

Procreate's advanced features, such as Alpha Lock, Clipping Masks, and blend modes, provide artists with sophisticated control for background removal, allowing for refined adjustments that go beyond basic cutouts. These tools support multi-layer workflows that make it possible to manage complex subjects with depth and precision, while adjustment layers further enhance seamless blending across different elements. By integrating these methods with other Procreate tools, artists can create professional compositions that maintain visual harmony. However, the effectiveness of these techniques relies heavily on extensive iPad experience and a high level of artistic expertise, making them best suited for skilled digital creators.

How to remove background in Procreate: Complete tutorial

Removing backgrounds in Procreate can be done in different ways depending on your project needs. To help you get started, here's a simplified workflow you can follow:

STEP 1

Import your image

Open Procreate and create a new canvas. Tap the wrench icon to open the "Actions menu," then navigate to the "Add tab" and select "Insert a Photo." Choose the image you want to edit from your device's gallery.

STEP 2

Make the selection

Tap on "Selections" and choose "Freehand" with "Add" enabled. Trace carefully around your subject. If you make a mistake, use a two-finger tap to undo it. Continue tracing until you connect back to the starting point, creating a dotted outline.

STEP 3

Isolate the subject

From the menu, tap "Copy & Paste". A new layer will appear with your subject only. Toggle off the original layer and the background color layer to make the background transparent. Lastly, go to "Actions", hit "Share", and choose PNG to save your cutout with a transparent background.

Procreate remove background reality: What artists actually experience

Pros

Artistic precision and control: Procreate gives artists full manual control over every pixel, making it possible to achieve the exact cutout quality they envision. Skilled techniques allow detailed refinements, ensuring results match their artistic intent.
Non-destructive editing workflow: With layer masks, original artwork is always preserved, so revisions and refinements can be made without losing source material. This flexibility lets artists experiment freely while maintaining a safety net.
Apple Pencil integration excellence: The platform fully leverages pressure-sensitive input, giving a natural and connected feel that rivals traditional tools. This makes cutouts smoother, more intuitive, and highly responsive to an artist's unique touch.
Integrated creative ecosystem: Procreate's background removal fits seamlessly into its broader suite of brushes, layers, and effects. Artists can handle cutouts and immediately continue creating within the same environment.
No internet dependency: The app works entirely offline, making it reliable for artists who travel or work in areas with poor connectivity. This ensures background removal and editing remain uninterrupted anywhere.

Cons

Steep learning curve and time investment: Manual background removal requires practice, patience, and significant skill development. Complex subjects often take hours to refine, which can slow down workflows.
iPad-only limitation: Procreate is restricted to Apple's tablet, preventing use on desktops or other platforms. This makes cross-platform productivity and collaboration harder for artists working in mixed setups.
Tedious manual work for simple tasks: Even a basic background removal requires careful selections and edge refinements. What could be quick in automated tools becomes time-consuming in Procreate.
Inconsistent results for beginners: Since quality depends heavily on user skill, cutouts often appear amateurish when handled by non-experts. Beginners may struggle with precision and achieving a smooth edge.
No AI assistance or automation: Every step must be performed manually, leaving no room for shortcuts. This makes batch processing impractical and increases the workload for repetitive tasks.

There's no doubt that Procreate offers artists an incredible amount of control over their work. But for creators who value efficiency, the tool quickly starts to feel restrictive. Its lack of automation slows down repetitive tasks, and the fact that it only works on iPad reduces its practicality. In today's creative industry, flexibility and speed are just as important as precision. Professionals can't always afford to spend hours on manual cutouts. That gap creates the need for a better option. CapCut Web fills it with automated background removal that saves time and supports modern workflows.

CapCut Web: AI-powered background remover for smart creators

For many artists, Procreate's background removal feels like a slow, manual battle that drains creativity. CapCut Web restores that energy with its AI image background remover, delivering professional-grade results instantly with just one click. Browser-based and device-friendly, it's accessible to anyone who creates on desktop, tablet, or mobile. No advanced skills are needed, just quick, polished results every time. Designed for digital artists, content creators, and social media managers, CapCut Web ensures you spend less time editing and more time creating. Creators deserve smarter tools, and this one finally makes efficient background removal effortless.

Steps to remove background with CapCut Web

Say goodbye to distracting backgrounds. Get started with CapCut Web today by clicking the link below:

STEP 1

Upload your image to CapCut Web

Head over to the CapCut Web website, click "Image" from the homepage, and then select "New image" to begin. From there, you can upload your file by dragging and dropping it into the workspace. The platform requires no installation, and its clean, simple interface works smoothly across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, giving you workflow freedom beyond Procreate limitations.

STEP 2

Remove the background

Once your image has been uploaded onto the CapCut Web canvas, click on "Remove background" from the toolbar. Make sure it is set to "Auto removal," so the AI will automatically detect the subject and strip away the background for you. This setting also saves your preference, meaning the next time you upload an image, CapCut Web will instantly remove the background without needing to repeat the step. The AI handles tricky details like hair strands, fur, or fine edges with precision, delivering a clean and professional cutout in seconds.

STEP 3

Download your professional result

After the background is removed, you can either export your design as a transparent PNG or instantly replace it with a new background of your choice. To save your work, click "Download all" and then select "Download" to save the final output to your device.

Key features of CapCut Web background removal for artists

AI-powered automation

CapCut Web uses advanced AI to instantly detect and remove backgrounds with a single click. Unlike manual tracing that demands precision and time, this automation eliminates the need for artistic skills. The tool intelligently identifies subjects and separates them from the background, delivering fast and consistent results. This makes it highly practical for artists who want efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Smart AI features for enhanced creativity

CapCut Web goes beyond background removal with AI tools like image upscaling for sharper details, style transfer to transform photos into artistic designs, low-light enhancement for better clarity, old photo restoration to revive old images, and retouching for polished results. These smart AI features give artists a versatile toolkit to elevate their work effortlessly.

Cross-platform accessibility

Unlike Procreate, which is restricted to iPad users, CapCut Web works across desktop and tablet through any modern browser. This means you can edit on any device you have available without worrying about compatibility issues. The flexibility makes it easier to keep projects moving, no matter where you are or what device you're using.

Professional edge quality

Background removal is powered by AI algorithms that refine complex details such as hair, fur, and soft edges automatically. These advanced calculations create smooth cutouts that maintain the natural look of subjects. This level of accuracy would typically require painstaking manual adjustments. CapCut Web provides it instantly, giving artists studio-level results without extra effort.

Seamless creative integration

Beyond background removal, CapCut Web connects directly with a broader editing suite designed for creative projects. Artists can refine cutouts, add design elements, or build complete compositions without switching tools. This smooth integration keeps projects organized and enhances workflow efficiency. It transforms background removal from a single task into part of a continuous creative journey.

Conclusion

This tutorial has walked you through the complete process of removing backgrounds in Procreate, from simple layer adjustments to advanced techniques that give artists full control. While these steps offer precision, they often require extra time and the limitation of working only on an iPad. For creators who want to work smarter and save hours, CapCut Web's online photo editor provides a powerful alternative. Its AI-driven background removal tool works instantly without needing manual selections or artistic expertise. Even better, it's browser-based, meaning you can use it seamlessly on desktop, tablet, or mobile without restrictions. By adopting CapCut Web, you gain efficiency without losing quality. Try it today and experience background removal at its smartest.

FAQs

Is there a way to remove background from Procreate artwork on other devices besides iPad?

Procreate is designed exclusively for iPad, which means all background removal workflows are restricted to a single device. This limitation not only prevents artists from switching between desktop and mobile but also makes cross-platform collaboration difficult, especially in professional workflows that demand flexibility. In contrast, CapCut Web removes these restrictions by offering a browser-based solution that works across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. This gives artists complete workflow freedom, allowing them to start a project on one device and continue it on another without interruptions.

Why won't my Procreate background export as transparent after removal?

Many users encounter issues when trying to export artwork from Procreate with a transparent background. This often happens because Procreate's canvas is not transparent by default—the app includes a background layer that must be manually disabled before exporting. Without this adjustment, users end up with a solid white or colored background instead of the desired transparency. On the other hand, CapCut Web guarantees clean, transparent PNG exports every time, eliminating the need for complex setup steps or background layer adjustments. This ensures creators can focus on their designs without worrying about technical export errors.

Can Procreate remove background tool handle complex details like hair and fur?

Removing backgrounds in Procreate can become extremely challenging when working with subjects that have intricate edges, such as hair, fur, or delicate textures. Procreate relies heavily on manual selection tools, requiring users to zoom in, trace edges carefully, and spend significant time refining the cutout, often with results that still look imperfect. In contrast, CapCut Web uses advanced AI edge detection to automatically recognize and separate fine details like hair strands or fur with professional precision. This allows artists to achieve high-quality cutouts instantly without the frustration of manual work.

How to Remove Background in Procreate: Full Tutorial & AI Solution