Procreate for Fashion: Mixing Fabric Prints with Clipping Masks
If you’re experimenting with fabrics in your fashion sketches, this post walks you through how to mix multiple prints or textures in Procreate using clipping masks—without cluttering your file or flattening your work.
Whether you're designing contrast panels, sleeve accents, or full mixed-media looks, this technique gives you control and flexibility.
🏁 Start Here: How to Add a Print in Procreate
Before layering multiple prints, you’ll want to understand the basics. If you’re new to this, read this first:
👉 How to Add Prints in Procreate
That guide walks through:
Creating a flat color fill
Applying a single print using a clipping mask
Adjusting blend modes and placement
We’re building on that here—so you can apply different prints to different parts of a garment (like mixing florals and stripes).
✂️ What’s a Clipping Mask in Procreate?
A clipping mask is a way to apply color, texture, or a print only inside the boundaries of a base shape—kind of like stenciling over a cutout.
In Procreate:
You place the clipping mask layer above your fill shape.
Tap the layer and select Clipping Mask.
Any marks you make on this layer will only show inside the shape directly below it.
It’s an essential tool for fashion sketching—especially for prints, shadows, and fabric texture.
🎭 How to Mix Prints Using Multiple Clipping Masks
To mix multiple prints (like a floral bodice with striped sleeves), you’ll create separate base shapes for each garment section. Then apply different clipping masks to each.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Sketch Your Garment
Keep your outline or croquis on its own layer. This stays on top and won’t be affected by color or print layers. Lock this layer to prevent accidental edits.Create Base Fills for Each Section
Tap ➕ to add a new layer.
Drag this layer below the Sketch layer in the Layers panel.
Pick a color using the Color Picker (top-right circle).
Outline your garment with a brush. Make sure the shape is closed—meaning no gaps in the outline—so you can fill it cleanly. Think of a closed shape like a cup: if there’s a hole in the bottom, your color (or print) leaks out.
Drag the color circle in the top right it into your shape to fill it. This is called ColorDrop.
⚠️ If the whole screen fills with color, tap two fingers to undo, then check for gaps in the outline and try again.
Change the color to white so it doesn’t interfere with the print color.
Rename this layer “Fill.” This acts like an invisible stencil—the shape that holds your print.
If your sketch is blocked by white, your Fill layer is likely above it. Just drag the Fill layer under the Sketch.Use the Selection Tool (S-shape icon) to outline a section (like a sleeve or bodice).
Do this on a separate layer for each print section.
Add Clipping Masks for Each Print
Above each base layer, tap + to create a new layer.
Tap the new layer and select Clipping Mask.
Use a print brush, insert a print image, or drag in a texture.
Repeat this for every section of the garment where you want a different print.
Optional: Warp + Liquify for Fabric Flow
Use Warp (under the Transform tool) to curve a flat print.
Or go to Adjustments > Liquify for a subtle, fabric-like flow.
👉 To make prints look more realistic, dynamic, and tailored to the sketch, check out this blog post: Tricks for Realistic Printed Sketches in Procreate
Group Layers to Stay Organized
Swipe right on each fill + clipping mask pair and tap Group.
Label your groups clearly (e.g., “Bodice Print,” “Sleeve Fill”).
✏️ Why It Matters for Fashion Design
This workflow helps you:
Mix multiple prints without flattening or merging layers
Easily test colorways and change patterns
Keep sketch files clean, editable, and professional
It’s especially useful for:
Print placement for contrast panels, trims, or patchwork
Playing with print scale and direction without redrawing the base
🪡 Pro Tips for Cleaner Print Work
Adjust Opacity:
Lower the opacity of your print layer while positioning it, then raise it once it’s in place. This helps you fine-tune alignment without visual clutter.Group Your Layers
Keep each fill layer and its clipping mask together in a group. This keeps your file tidy—especially when mixing multiple prints across different parts of the garment.Match Print Scale to Garment
Make sure your prints feel proportional to the garment section. Oversized dots or florals can throw off the realism if they don’t follow the expected scale.Lighten the Sketch Outline if Needed
If your sketch lines are getting lost under a dark print, try changing the outline to a lighter tone. Just be sure to duplicate the sketch layer first so you always have your original intact.
🌸Try This with the Right Tools
You can practice this technique using my free Procreate Fabric + Print Brushes. They include seamless textures like denim, linen, and floral prints—designed for layering with clipping masks.
🔄 Related Tutorials
✨ Recap
Clipping masks in Procreate let you apply multiple prints across a single garment, while keeping each section editable and precise.
You’ll use:
Separate base fill layers for each section
A unique clipping mask layer for each print
Tools like Warp or Liquify for realism
Layer groups to keep it all clean and organized
Want to go deeper?
If you're new to Procreate and want a clear, fashion-focused workflow, my Procreate for Fashion Design course walks you through everything—from installing custom fashion design brushes to polished fashion flats and illustrations.
You’ll leave with a ready-to-use setup and the confidence to bring your design ideas to life.