All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procr…: is this $18 stack worth it for Comics & Graphic Novels?
Quick answer
| Best for | Comic artists and illustrators who want realistic, paper-based inking textures in Procreate without hunting down individual brush packs. |
| Skip if | You are using Procreate 4 or older, or you prefer stylized, non-realistic line art styles. |
| Price | $18 |
| Format | Procreate brush set (45 brushes), ~125 MB download |
| One-line take | A $18 pack that translates real-world pens, markers, and chisels into digital brushes, saving you the time of sourcing 45 individual tools. |
What you’re actually buying
If you’ve ever tried to replicate the specific “catch” of a dip pen or the dry, toothy texture of a technical marker in Procreate, you know the struggle. Generic brush packs often feel too smooth or too digital, lacking the physical resistance that makes hand-inked comics feel alive. All About Inking solves this by taking a different approach: it doesn’t just guess at what a pen looks like; it scans and converts actual inking tools.
For $18, you are getting a full library of 45 ultra-realistic brushes. This isn’t just a set of black lines. The collection covers the full spectrum of traditional inking, from fine pen scribbles and chisel tips to bristly brushes and alcohol markers. You’ll find specific tools for ink splatters and toothy markers, which are often the hardest textures to fake in a digital environment. Because these are based on real-world scans, they carry the weight and imperfection of paper, which is crucial for that authentic comic book feel. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
The seller, The Brushsmith, has also hidden a fun element in the naming convention. If you look closely at the brush names, you’ll likely recognize famous brands and tool types that have been subtly renamed. It’s a small detail, but it shows the curation effort behind the pack. You’re not just buying brushes; you’re buying a curated kit that mimics the best of the physical world, ready to drop into your workflow. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
Why it’s on our radar
This pack stands out because it targets a very specific pain point: the gap between digital convenience and traditional texture. Many artists struggle to find brushes that feel “real” enough for high-quality comic work without spending hours tweaking settings. All About Inking offers a ready-made solution that covers a wide variety of tools in one go.
The value proposition is strong here. At $18, you are getting 45 distinct tools, which works out to less than 40 cents per brush. Most individual high-quality brushes cost more than that on their own. The fact that this is a one-time purchase with free future updates adds significant long-term value. If you are building a comic or working on a graphic novel, having a comprehensive inking kit that feels authentic can save you days of searching for the right line weight and texture. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
What actually matters
Before you hit buy, keep these three things in mind to ensure this fits your workflow: (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
- Procreate Version: These brushes are guaranteed to work only with Procreate 5 and above. If you are still on an older version, this pack will not be compatible. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
- Realism vs. Style: These are “ultra-realistic” brushes. If your art style is highly stylized, cartoonish, or relies on vector-like clean lines, these might be too textured for your taste. They are designed to mimic paper. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
- File Size: The download is about 125 MB. It’s a manageable size, but ensure you have enough storage space on your iPad, especially if you have a large library of other assets. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
Mid-check
If you’re ready to upgrade your inking workflow with tools that feel like the real thing, you can check out the current options here. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
FAQ
Is this pack good for comic book artists? Yes, it is specifically designed for comic book artists and illustrators. The brushes mimic the best tools for inking on paper, which is the standard for traditional comic work. If you want that hand-inked look in a digital format, this brush set is a strong fit.
Do I need to pay again for updates? No. The listing explicitly states that any updates in the future adding more brushes to this set will be free for you. You pay once for the initial 45 brushes and get access to any future additions. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
What kind of tools are included? You get a huge variety of inking tools, including pens, markers, brushes with bristles, toothy markers, chisel tips, ink splatters, alcohol markers, and pen scribbles. It’s a comprehensive kit that covers most inking needs. (All About Inking - 45 brushes for Procreate)
Bottom line
If you are an artist who cares about the texture and feel of your lines, All About Inking is a no-brainer. For $18, you get 45 high-quality, realistic brushes that save you the time and frustration of trying to replicate physical tools in Procreate. It’s a solid investment for anyone serious about comic art or illustration who wants their digital work to have that authentic, hand-inked edge.