I paid for Photoshop for fourteen months.
During that time, I used it maybe fifteen times. And every single time felt like a struggle.
The interface confused me. Simple tasks took forever. I needed to sit at my computer, which meant I couldn’t work during client visits.
Then I bought Procreate for $13.
Within two weeks, it replaced my entire Photoshop workflow.
But here’s the thing — I’m not saying Photoshop is bad. I’m saying it wasn’t right for me and the work I actually do.
The question isn’t “which tool is better.”
The question is “which tool matches how you actually work?”
What Each Tool Actually Is
Let’s be clear about what we’re comparing.
Photoshop is comprehensive image editing software. It was designed for photographers and graphic designers. It runs on computers. It costs monthly subscription.
Procreate is a digital painting app designed for iPad and iPhone. One-time purchase. Touch interface. Portable.
Both can create beautiful curtain visualizations.
But they approach the work completely differently.
The Cost Reality
Procreate:
∙ iPad version: $13 (one time)
∙ iPhone version: $6 (one time)
∙ Updates: free forever
∙ No subscriptions
I bought Procreate in 2019. Still using the same purchase today.
Photoshop:
∙ Single app: around $23 per month
∙ Photography bundle: $10-23 per month
∙ Full Creative Suite: $55 per month
After one year: $276
After five years: $1,380
I’m not saying Photoshop is overpriced. For photographers and professional graphic designers, it’s worth it.
But for textile decorators creating curtain mockups?
You need to ask yourself: will I actually use those extra features enough to justify that ongoing cost?
For me, the answer was no.
I was paying for features I never touched.
Learning Curve (The Part Nobody Talks About Honestly)
This is where the difference becomes very real.
With Procreate:
- Week 1 — I understood basic interface, created simple mockups
- Week 2 — I could add fabric textures confidently
- Week 3 — I showed my first visualization to a client
- Month 2 — I was using it daily in my business
With Photoshop:
- Month 1 — Still figuring out the interface
- Month 2 — Can do basic tasks, but slowly
- Month 3 — Starting to understand layers and masks
- Month 4-6 — Finally productive enough for client work
I know decorators who spent six months learning Photoshop and still felt uncomfortable using it.
Why such a big difference?
Photoshop has thousands of features. Most of them designed for professional photographers who need precise pixel control.
Procreate was designed for artists and illustrators. Clean interface. Focused on drawing and painting.
For curtain mockups, we don’t need pixel-perfect photo retouching.
We need to draw, paint, apply textures, show fabric realistically.
That’s exactly what Procreate does best.
Where You Can Actually Work
This might be the biggest difference in real life.
Procreate:
I keep my iPhone in my pocket.
During client consultation, I can:
∙ Photograph their window
∙ Create rough mockup in 10 minutes
∙ Show three fabric options
∙ Make adjustments while we talk
∙ Email the result before I leave
I’ve closed contracts standing in clients’ living rooms because I could show visualization immediately.
Photoshop:
To use Photoshop during client visit, I would need to:
∙ Bring laptop
∙ Find place to set it up
∙ Work with mouse on their coffee table
∙ Tell them “I’ll send this later”
Some designers do this. They bring laptops everywhere.
But honestly? Most decorators don’t want to work that way.
Adobe does have Photoshop for iPad now. But it’s simplified version, costs $10/month, and still feels designed for mouse, not touch.
I’ve shown this exact workflow step by step in one of my YouTube videos, so you can see how quickly a consultation mockup can come together in real time.
Real Workflow Comparison
Let me show you how each tool works in actual business situations.
Scenario: Client consultation at their home
With Procreate:
Pull out iPhone → photograph window → import to Procreate → add curtain template → apply fabric from photo → show three options
Total time: 10-15 minutes
Client sees visualization. Makes decision. Signs contract.
With Photoshop:
Take photo with phone → return to office → transfer to computer → open Photoshop → create mockup → email to client → wait for response
Total time: 30-45 minutes (plus waiting time)
Client says “let me think about it.”
Maybe they buy. Maybe not.
Scenario: Creating fabric pattern visualization
With Procreate:
Import fabric photo → use pattern tool → adjust → export
Time: 10-15 minutes
Quality: very good for client visualization
With Photoshop:
Import fabric → create seamless tile → define pattern with precise controls → apply to mockup → export with color profile
Time: 20-30 minutes
Quality: print-production ready
Notice something?
For showing clients how fabric looks in their space — Procreate is faster and sufficient.
For creating production files for fabric manufacturers — Photoshop has advantages.
But how often are you creating files for manufacturers versus showing mockups to clients?
What Each Tool Does Well
Procreate strengths:
- Works anywhere, anytime. No computer needed.
- Fast to learn. Productive in weeks, not months.
- Perfect for client meetings and on-site work.
- Touch interface feels natural.
- One-time purchase.
- Built for creative work.
- iPad/iPhone only.
- Not ideal for precise photo retouching.
- Cannot open PSD files natively.
- Smaller community than Photoshop.
Photoshop strengths:
Industry standard. Huge community.
Powerful for advanced photo editing.
Opens virtually any file format.
Professional color management.
Works on Mac and Windows.
Photoshop limitations:
Expensive ongoing subscription.
Steep learning curve.
Overwhelming for simple tasks.
Requires powerful computer.
Not practical for on-site client work.
Designed for mouse/keyboard, not touch.
Who Should Choose Procreate?
You should seriously consider Procreate if:
You create client visualizations more than production files.
You want to show mockups during on-site consultations.
You already own iPad or iPhone.
You need to start working with clients quickly.
You prefer one-time purchase over subscriptions.
You work alone or small business.
You want tool that “just works” without complexity.
One of my students told me: “I tried Photoshop for three months and felt stupid. I tried Procreate for three days and created my first client mockup.”
That says everything.
Who Should Choose Photoshop?
Photoshop makes more sense if:
You’re already proficient in it from previous work.
You do heavy photo retouching and color correction.
You create production-ready files for manufacturers.
You work with clients who require PSD files.
You’re part of design team using Adobe Creative Suite.
You need precise CMYK color management.
You work primarily at desk with powerful computer.
You don’t need portability for client meetings.
If you already invested years learning Photoshop and it works — keep using it.
Use what works.
Can You Use Both?
Yes.
Some designers use this combination:
Procreate for: client consultations, quick mockups, on-site work, 80% of daily needs
Photoshop for: final portfolio pieces, print production, complex editing, specific client deliverables
This is smart if you already own both.
But here’s what happened to me: once I got comfortable with Procreate, I stopped opening Photoshop.
Everything I needed to do, I could do faster in Procreate.
Your experience might be different.
My Honest Recommendation
After teaching both tools to hundreds of textile decorators:
If you’re just starting digital visualization: Start with Procreate. It’s affordable, fast to learn, and you can use it with clients immediately.
If later you discover you need Photoshop’s specific features — you can always add it.
But I think you won’t need to.
If you’re already comfortable with Photoshop: Keep using it. But consider getting Procreate as portable companion for client meetings.
If you’re struggling with Photoshop and not making progress: Switch to Procreate.
Seriously.
Life is too short to fight with software you don’t enjoy.
Your clients don’t care which tool you used. They care about seeing their curtains in their room.
What Actually Matters
Can you show clients a beautiful, convincing visualization?
That’s the only question that matters.
Both Procreate and Photoshop can do that.
But in my experience:
Procreate gets you there faster.
Procreate costs less.
Procreate works where your clients are.
Procreate feels less like technical work and more like designing.
I’m not against Photoshop.
I’m just saying for most textile decorators, curtain professionals, small fabric businesses — Procreate is the smarter choice
Your clients don’t care which software name is on the invoice.
They care that you helped them feel confident.
They care that you showed them — right there, in the moment — what their new curtains will look like.
Procreate helps me do that every day.
Where to Start
If you want to learn Procreate visualization properly, I teach the complete method inside my courses — from basic interface to advanced fabric texturing to professional client presentations.
Not just which buttons to press.
But how to think when you visualize.
Because understanding the system matters more than knowing the tool.
For those who want to speed up the workflow, I created the 340+ High-Resolution Textile Templates collection specifically for textile decorators and interior designers.
What's inside:
Over 200 curtain variations — classic drapes, Roman blinds, pleated styles, swags, valances
Hardware elements — rods, finials, brackets
Interior elements for complete room visualizations
Transform what used to take hours into work that takes minutes.
This is the exact library I built for my own client work over 5 years — now available for you to use immediately.
Tools help.
But method creates independence.
If you’re more of a visual learner, I also share practical demonstrations on my YouTube channel where you can see the workflow in real time.
After 19 years working with textiles, I know this:
The best tool is the one you’ll actually use.
Not the one with most features.
Not the one everyone else uses.
The one that fits your workflow, your business, your life.
For me, that’s Procreate.
Maybe for you too.
The best tool is the one you’ll actually use.
Not the one with most features.
Not the one everyone else uses.
The one that fits your workflow, your business, your life.
For me, that’s Procreate.
Maybe for you too.
———————————————————————————-
By Svetlana, textile decorator with 19 years of experience and founder of an online school teaching Procreate visualization for curtain and textile professionals on iPad and iPhone
0 comments