Tattoo artists are increasingly turning to digital tools like Procreate to conceptualize and design tattoos before inking them. With its intuitive interface and versatile brush engine, Procreate has become a favorite for crafting unique tattoo art on-the-go.
But finding high-quality tattoo brushes that mimic the look and feel of real techniques can be tricky with so many options. That‘s why I‘ve compiled this definitive guide on the top Procreate brush packs for tattooing out there based on quality, customizability, and creative potential.
An Introduction to Procreate for Tattooing
For those new to Procreate, it‘s an incredibly powerful sketching and painting app made for the iPad and iPhone. It features over 200 handmade brushes with advanced features like blending modes, opacity control, Apple Pencil support and more for crafting incredibly lifelike digital art.
Tattoo artists in particular love Procreate for the following reasons:
Easy Concept Development: Iterating tattoo ideas is faster and cheaper compared to constantly purchasing printouts or tattooing trial designs.
Pitching to Clients: Artists can showcase their tattoo portfolio and custom designs with stunning visuals.
Realistic Brush Types: From Tebori tattoo brushes to shader brushes, Procreate offers the closest thing to actual tattoo needles.
Advanced Settings: Options like flow, size, opacity gives artists granular control when digitally inking, similar to real machines.
Portability: Tattoo artists can sketch anywhere inspiration strikes without having to carry cumbersome equipment.
Now that you know what makes Procreate great for tattooing, let‘s explore some of the best tattoo brush packs available for the app.
Factors for Selecting Procreate Tattoo Brushes
With hundreds of Procreate brushes out there targeted at tattoo artists, narrowing down the right pack for your needs can be overwhelming. Here are the key factors I considered when compiling this list:
- Number of Brushes: More brushes means more variety to depict different styles.
- Realism: How closely do the brushes simulate real tattoo needles and ink flow?
- Customization: Ability to tweak settings like size, flow, opacity is vital.
- Easy Integration: Brushes should import seamlessly into Procreate.
- Smooth Performance: No lagging, jittery lines, or crashing.
- Reviews: Positive user reviews indicate reliability and satisfaction.
- Price: Packs range from $5-$15 based on volume and quality.
Keeping these factors in mind, below are the 9 best Procreate brush resources for tattooing available.
1. Inkee Tattoo Brushes
Price: $12 USD
Brushes Included: 25
Inkee Tattoo Brushes is arguably the most advanced and realistic Procreate tattoo brush pack available. Handmade by tattoo artists, it mimics Tebori, coil machines plus shader effects for unbelievable realism.
I particularly love the Tebori brushes for their organic, calligraphic look perfect for Japanese tattoos. Adjusting parameters like needle depth, ink flow and drag gives me incredible control when digitally inking.
For real-machine effects, the coil tattoo brushes handle beautifully. Subtle settings like poke angle and needle grouping takes shading depth to the next level. And the shader brushes blend seamlessly with lifelike smoothness.
If you want intricate realism, Inkee Tattoo Brushes is easily my top choice. The level of customization blows other packs out of the water. It‘s compatible with the latest Procreate 5X versions and imports in seconds via a user-friendly interface.
Highlights
- Unparalleled Realism
- Advanced Customization Options
- Perfect for Black & Grey Shading
Limitations
- Geared Towards Realism
- Not Many Bold/Color Brushes
2. Spektrum Tattoo Brush Pack
Price: $8 USD
Brushes Included: 18
The Spektrum Tattoo Brush Pack is a great all-rounder option. At half the price of other packs, you still get thoughtfully-designed tools perfect for tattoo concepts, cover-ups and refinements.
It‘s got inspiring brushes for outlining, texturing and shading realistic skin. The 16 shader brushes handle beautifully in Procreate, laying down smooth gradients without overblending. Flow control is excellent even with opacity set high for solid blacks.
For coloring, the speckle and splat brushes create beautiful mottled texture like you‘d see around healed tattoos. And the eraser lets you gently fade edges just like real skin.
If you‘re looking for an affordable but mighty mix of liners, shaders and textured brushes, Spektrum Tattoo Brush Pack hits the sweet spot. It‘s easy to import into Procreate as well with a handy installation guide.
Highlights
- Great Balance of Shader & Textured Brushes
- Affordable Mixed Pack
- Easy to Customize & Import
Limitations
- Geared Towards Black & Grey
- Limited Creation Tools
3. Ink Marks Pro Tattoo Brushes
Price: $10 USD
Brushes Included: 15
The Ink Marks Pro Tattoo brushes are designed specifically with tattoo versatility in mind. From Japanese tattoos to realism, tribal and more – it‘s got you covered.
The fine tapered brushes help me effortlessly lay down smooth gradients and subtle textures. There‘s a good mix of soft airbrush-style blenders plus splatter brushes for photorealism. Rigidity parameters let me control spread for consistency.
My favorite aspect is the brush emulator that mimics needle groupings, line boldness and stroke profiles. It makes inking curved lines feel natural unlike default Procreate brushes. Advanced settings like poke angle, ink flow and grouping takes realism to the next level when combined with texture effects.
For a mid-priced pack catering specifically to tattoo design diversity, Ink Marks Pro Tattoo Brushes is an excellent choice. It comes loaded with video tutorials demonstrating real-world usage as well which is invaluable.
Highlights
- Packed With Video Tutorials
- Mixed Brushes for Tattooing Diversity
- Advanced Realism Parameters
Limitations
- Geared Towards Intermediates
- Expensive for Just 15 Brushes
4. Vlad Tattoo Brush Megapack
Price: $5 USD
Brushes Included: 80
With over 80 tattoo brushes, Vlad Tattoo Brush Megapack is perfect for experimentation without breaking the bank. It‘s got an insane variety – everything from photorealism tools to abstract colors and textures.
The speckle and ink splatter brushes are fantastic for giving traditional illustrations that lived-in look. Flow and grouping controls make them highly customizable as well. I love using the skin textured brushes on subtle backgrounds to ground abstract pieces.
And when it comes to vibrancy, Vlad Tattoo doesn‘t hold back either. Palette knife brushes in neon hues make coloring pop tattoo concepts easy even for beginners. There‘s a gorgeous balance between color and monochromatic tools here.
For $5, Vlad Tattoo Brush Megapack offers outstanding breadth perfect for beginners seeking lots of experimentation. Just be mindful when importing into Procreate – it may slow down initial launch with 80+ brushes!
Highlights
- Wide Variety of Brush Types
- Excellent for Bold & Vibrant Looks
- Highly Affordable
Limitations
- Can Overwhelm New Users
- Default Settings Need Refining
5. Ironbrush Tattoo LinerBrushes
Price: $8 USD
Brushes Included: 15
When it comes precision linework, Ironbrush Tattoo Liner Brushes are in a league of their own. Made specifically for single needle precision, it‘s got tools mimicking TEGO G4 needles down to angle configurations.
The needle profiles feature curved points, sharp nips and flat spears making clean lines effortless. Rigidity adjustments prevent tapering for uniformity across long lines – vital for geometric pieces. And the brushes handle beautifully at any size without losing integrity.
There‘s outstanding edge stability even when shading intricate patterns at low opacity. Fine details come out amazingly clean thanks to subtle texture modulation effects. And the pack includes a guide on choosing needles plus line weight examples which is invaluable for new artists.
For clean lines yearning for machine-precision looks, Ironbrush Tattoo Liner Brushes is easily my top pick. Just be mindful of the limited brush count at a relatively high price point.
Highlights
- Mimics Real Tattoo Needles
- Specialized for Crisp Lines & Details
- Helpful Needle Selection Guide
Limitations
- Only Geared Towards Linework
- Steep Price for 15 Brushes
6. Dragonhawk Tattoo Pro Brushes
Price: $10 USD
Brushes Included: 80
Dragonhawk Tattoo Pro Brushes offers incredible bang for your buck. With over 80 tattoo brushes geared towards realism, tribal, new school and more, it‘s impossible not to find inspiring tools here for every tattoo style.
The speckle and ink splatter brushes do a phenomenal job creating natural textures like faded tattoos and scarred skin. There‘s also a great selection of shaders from soft blenders to smudge pens, sponges and more for rich depth without overworking.
And when it comes to linework – Dragonhawk delivers here as well. Rigid and tapered tools make etching smooth curves and geometric shapes easy. Advanced grouping controls affect density for uniform lines. And the eraser beautifully fades edges for seamless cover-up effects.
Forartists wanting pro-level quality brushes implementing advanced Procreate features for tattoo realism, Dragonhawk Tattoo Pro Brushes is a well-rounded collection that ticks all the right boxes.
Highlights
- Volume of Quality Brushes
- Realistic Textures & Shading Effects
- Great for Cover-Ups
Limitations
- Geared Towards Intermediates
- Overwhelming Variety for Beginners
7. Beauty Brush Procreate Tattoo Brushes
Price: $7 USD
Brushes Included: 30
For toon and anime-inspired tattoos, Beauty Brush Procreate Tattoo brushes are perfect. Mimicking airbrush tools, pens and markers – it‘s got a gorgeous range of creative linework brushes.
The tapered markers make drafting patterns effortless with their fast, consistent flow. Rigidity adjustments prevent feathering along the most intricate shapes. Soft airbrushes blend vibrant gradients beautifully without muddiness. And classic ink pens build stunning texture perfect for vibrant neo-traditional pieces.
I also love the tattoo shader options providing lively textures like stars, watercolors, chrome, fire and more. Artists can easily take concept art from flat to fantastical quickly thanks to mix of advanced brushes.
Overall, if you‘re aiming for vivid, larger-than-life tattoo ideas translated digitally – Beauty Brush Tattoo brushes offers versatile tools to make that process intuitive. The reasonable price point makes it easy to try out as well.
Highlights
- Perfect for Vibrant Styles
- Airbrush-Style Softness
- Cool Creative Textures
Limitations
- Not for Realism
- Doesn‘t Mimic Machines
8. Angel Tattoo Brush Collection
Price: $10 USD
Brushes Included: 20
Angel Tattoo Brush Collection features a thoughtfully curated set catering specifically to black and grey realism tattooing. Made by a tattooer for tattooers, it‘s designed to handle beautifully when digitally inking portraits, animals, floral designs and more.
The subtle brushes included mimic the softness of rounded mags effortlessly. Ultra-fine shader tips provide excellent control over value transitions from solid black to smoothed greys. Soft texture allows nearly infinite blending without losing workability.
And for precision liner work, Angel Tattoo brushes shine as well. Rigidity adjustments prevent tapering and shapes hold their form perfectly when scaling down intricate details Small touches like a realistic ink drip effect brush enhances the real-tattoo look substantially.
For artists who specialize in black and grey realism tattoos, Angel Tattoo Brush Collection is purpose-built to handle beautifully. Be mindful that the focus is narrow if you prefer vivid color work. But for core fundamentals, it can‘t be beat.
Highlights
- Specialized B&G Realism Tools
- Smooth Value Transitions
- Ultra-Fine Precision
Limitations
- Only Black & Grey Style
- Expensive for 20 Brushes
9. Ink Splat Procreate Tattoo Brush Pack
Price: $7 USD
Brushes Included: 15
When it comes to creating realistic textures, Ink Splat Procreate Tattoo Brush Pack offers a smartly designed set of tattoo brushes perfect for aged, grungy looks.
There‘s an excellent balance of ink splatter, speckle and sponge brushes for the illusion of faded and scarred skin. Lighting controls let artists easily wrap textures around 3D forms. And smear tools make subtle smudging look incredibly natural.
I‘m thoroughly impressed by the skin brushes as well. They effortlessly create pores, peach fuzz, ink bubbles and overworked skin perfect for photorealistic effects. Designers put real thought into high-use effects missing from default Procreate packs.
For people wanting to specialize in grunge tattoos, Ink Splat provides the perfect toolkit. Just know the brushes cater specifically to texturing instead of a full featured design pack. But for realism, it can‘t be beat.
Highlights
- Perfect for Grunge Tattoo Textures
- Highly Realistic Skin Effects
- Natural Smearing & Overwork
Limitations
- Very Narrow Focus
- Not For Bold/Color Work
Key Takeaways on Procreate Tattoo Brushes
I hope this guide has helped identify the best Procreate brush resources for taking your tattoo artwork to the next level digitally.
Here are my quick suggestions based on skill level:
- Beginners – Try affordable but versatile packs like Vlad Tattoo Brush Megapack or Spektrum Tattoo.
- Intermediates – Level up with mixed packs like Ink Marks Pro or Dragonhawk Pro catering to diversity.
- Experts – Splurge on advanced realism brushes like Inkee Tattoo or Ironbrush liners and shaders.
Regardless of which Procreate tattoo brushes you select, always remember to fine-tune aspects like size, flow opacity and grouping once imported into your library. This customization is key for matching brushes to your unique artistic style.
I hope you‘ve found awesome new tools to unleash your creative vision for tattoo designs through this post. Feel free to reach out with any questions in the comments section below!
