Learn how to create beautiful, personalized holiday ornaments using Procreate in this beginner-friendly (but scalable for intermediate and advanced artists) tutorial! Whether you’re looking to design custom ornaments with illustrations or add a special touch with names and dates, this step-by-step guide will help you go from concept to finished product – perfect for selling or gifting!
Watch the Tutorial
If you’re a see it on “paper” person, keep reading below. Otherwise, check out this quick video tutorial in my new iPad Art Break Series on Youtube:
The Steps
1. Set Up Your Canvas in Procreate. Open Procreate and set your canvas to the size required by the print service you’ll use. I recommend working at 3000 x 3000 pixels, which allows flexibility for printing. Make sure to include bleed lines and take note of any cut-out areas like the hole for hanging the ornament. This will ensure your design is aligned perfectly with the product template.
2. Choose Your Ornament Theme. Start by deciding what type of ornament you want to create. You can choose simple illustrations, hand lettering, or a custom design that includes names and dates. Think about what people are most likely to want for the holiday season. Tip: dated designs often sell well because they are time-sensitive!
3. Gather Number and Lettering Inspiration. Head over to Pinterest to find numeral and lettering inspiration for your design. Screenshot a few number styles that resonate with your aesthetic. Using these reference images as a base, you can create your own unique numbers and lettering in Procreate.
4. Sketch Your Ornament Design. On a new layer, begin sketching your ideas. You can start with simple compositions like vintage mittens, stockings, or a snow globe. Focus on holiday-themed elements that are universally appealing. Remember, this is just a rough sketch, so don’t worry about getting every detail perfect at this stage.
5. Take advantage of the Symmetry Tool. If you’re incorporating elements like a wreath into your design, activate the symmetry tool in Procreate’s Drawing Guide. Sketch out your wreath with rounded shapes that complement your lettering. Vary the shapes and directions of the vines and leaves to give your wreath a natural, organic flow.
6. Ink and Finalize Your Design. With your sketch completed, create a new layer and begin inking your design. Use the “Rough Inking” brush from the Everything Bagel Brush Set for a hand-drawn, rustic feel. Keep each color on a separate layer to make it easy to adjust later. Once you’re done, hide the sketch layer and start experimenting with color palettes for your final version.
7. Add Color and Experiment with Versions. Now that the inking is complete, it’s time to play with color! Create different versions of your design by adjusting the color of the wreath, leaves, berries, and background. You can experiment with both traditional holiday colors and more modern, non-traditional palettes like blue and gold.
BUT WILL IT ACTUALLY SELL?
Personalized Christmas or general holiday ornaments sell like hotcakes during the holiday season. People love buying items that commemorate the year or include family names. In my ornaments class, I share my favorite printers and print fulfillment companies that ship the orders for you so you don’t have to pack or ship a single order. You can even offer custom ornaments with names or dates to attract more buyers. Come see how!
Ornament Class: Print & Sell Your Designs
Want to take your designs to print? This class covers the entire process of creating custom ornaments and selling them on Etsy.
- Learn how to create and print professional ornaments
- Explore different materials like wood, glass, and ceramic
- Get tips on pricing, marketing, and selling your designs
