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# Procreate PSD Handoff: Agree on Required Edits
- URL: https://theprocreate.com/export-print/procreate-psd-handoff/
- Published: 2026-10-25T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-02T14:11:32.000Z
- Description: Agree on the exact edits before delivering a PSD. Check those edits and the rendered image, then keep a matching preview and the original Procreate master.
- Author: Robert Rios
- Tags: export-print, #topic-canvas, #section-canvas-prepare-an-export

## Agree on the edits before approving a PSD

A PSD handoff is ready when the recipient can make the required edit in their actual application version and accepts the rendered image. Opening the file proves neither. Agree those two checks before delivery. The [Procreate-to-Photoshop guide](https://theprocreate.com/export-print/procreate-to-photoshop/) handles the broader export and transfer workflow.

## Name the required revision

Record the recipient's application and version, the exact revision, and the element it depends on: a named paint layer or group to recolor, a mask or clipping boundary to revise, or wording to replace. Agree which elements may be rasterized and which must remain independently editable. “Send a layered file” is too vague if only one particular change matters.

For example, a recipient might require recoloring the layer named **Leaf** while leaving **Paper** unchanged. That's a structural requirement, and a matching composite alone won't satisfy it. A layer name helps locate the element, but the recipient still needs to perform the edit before accepting it.

![Separate Leaf and Paper rows with Leaf selected beside the corresponding artwork.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/87/95/8795a9f5-73f0-42fe-8d7c-6a02022d8b40/content/images/2026/10/procreate-psd-handoff-body1-redo-v2.webp) 

Keep the required element independently identifiable. The recipient still needs to confirm the agreed edit in their application and version.

## Write the acceptance matrix

Use the rows relevant to this handoff. Record the named element, exact requested change and acceptable result. Then carry out the check on a copy of the received PSD.

__Required edits and appearance checks__
| Recipient's requirement      | Perform on a delivery copy                                                                                                      | Blocker to resolve                                                                        |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Recolor one element          | Select the agreed layer or group, make the requested color change, and confirm unrelated artwork remains unchanged.             | The required element is flattened with unrelated art and cannot be changed independently. |
| Revise an edge               | Locate the expected mask or clipping control and make the specified boundary revision.                                          | The required control is missing or cannot make that revision in the recipient's version.  |
| Change wording               | Perform the exact wording replacement; agree in advance whether replacing rasterized text is acceptable.                        | Only rasterized wording remains when editable text is required.                           |
| Keep the approved appearance | Compare the untouched received PSD with the same-state PNG, then check the intended change and unchanged regions after editing. | A difference in edges, blends, transparency or color exceeds the agreed tolerance.        |

Procreate documents [PSD export with layers, layer names, opacity, visibility and blend modes](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com). That list doesn't show that every text, mask, clipping or group operation remains editable in every recipient application. The matrix asks the recipient to confirm the specific operation the agreement depends on.

## Prepare the files the agreement refers to

First retain an independent [native .procreate copy with its layers, masks and effects](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com). Keep it as the pre-handoff source while preparing delivery copies.

Export the artwork through [Actions > Share > PSD](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com), then use Save to Files, choose the exact destination and tap Save. Export a matching PNG from the same approved artwork state without changing the content, visibility or dimensions between exports, and save it separately. Procreate's [Save to Files route lets you choose the destination](https://help.procreate.com/articles/Soki2B-export-save-and-print?ref=theprocreate.com). Its [PNG export flattens the artwork](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com), so the PNG serves as an appearance reference rather than an editable-layer delivery.

![A layered native source, layered PSD delivery and single-sheet PNG reference show the same leaf artwork.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/87/95/8795a9f5-73f0-42fe-8d7c-6a02022d8b40/content/images/2026/10/procreate-psd-handoff-body2-redo-v3.webp)

Retain the native source independently. Send the PSD with a PNG from the same artwork state; the PNG supports appearance comparison, not editing checks.

I'd use the whole-artwork PSD route for this package. [Share Layers exports separate pages, images or animation frames](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com), and that's a different operation from exporting the artwork as a layered PSD.

Record the local PSD and PNG names, locations and version, plus the actual dimensions and profile information you can verify. Identify the exact PSD the recipient receives. Compare the local saved PSD with that received copy using the same application and version where possible. If the viewing applications differ, record that condition before attributing a difference to export, transfer or import.

## Separate appearance from editability

Keep an untouched received copy for the initial appearance comparison. Make a separate delivery copy for the required edit. In the recipient's recorded application/version, locate the named layer, group or control and perform the exact revision in the matrix. Check that the requested change works and that unrelated artwork remains intact. A visible layer list alone isn't that check.

### Compare at 100% in Photoshop desktop

If Photoshop desktop is already available and opens these files, use the appearance route below. It doesn't replace the required-edit check in the recipient's own application.

1. Before opening the local PSD, received PSD and matching PNG, record the existing **Edit > Color Settings**. Select **Preserve Embedded Profiles** for the applicable RGB, CMYK and Gray policies, enable **Ask When Opening** under both Profile Mismatches and Missing Profiles, then select **OK**. Adobe documents these [profile-preservation policies and opening warnings](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/adjust-color/choose-colors/manage-color-profiles-when-opening-images.html?ref=theprocreate.com).
2. Open the actual saved files. If a mismatch warning appears, choose [**Use the embedded profile**](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/adjust-color/choose-colors/manage-color-profiles-when-opening-images.html?ref=theprocreate.com); do not convert to the working space or discard the profile for this comparison. If a profile is missing, record the warning, cancel opening and request recipient handling. Do not assign a profile to manufacture a matching result.
3. For each opened file, choose [**View > 100%** or **Actual Pixels** in the Zoom tool options](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/zoom-images.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Adobe describes 100% as one image pixel per monitor pixel. Compare identical regions on the same display without resizing the files: first local PSD against PNG, then received PSD against local PSD and PNG.
4. If color differs, inspect each file's actual profile. Choose **Document Profile** in the bottom document status menu to [view the currently embedded profile](https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/adjust-color/color-profiles/embed-color-profiles.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Record the value and any opening warning. The [color-profile handoff guide](https://theprocreate.com/export-print/procreate-color-profile-handoff/) covers this inspection and unresolved metadata in detail.
5. Finish without saving inspection changes over the untouched files, and restore the recorded global Color Settings if changed.

Keep the viewing setup consistent before changing the artwork to correct color. If another viewer has no [documented native-pixel mode](https://theprocreate.com/fixes/procreate-export-blurry/) or can't report the needed profile, leave that check unconfirmed and request a suitable recipient inspection. Fit-to-window doesn't establish pixel-level parity.

After the required edit, compare regions intended to remain unchanged with the original PNG, and assess the changed region against the agreed revision. The original PNG isn't the expected new color or wording. If the edited version becomes the final delivery, make a new matching PNG from that state.

![At 100% view, a leaf-edge pixel map connects each image pixel to one display pixel.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/87/95/8795a9f5-73f0-42fe-8d7c-6a02022d8b40/content/images/2026/10/procreate-psd-handoff-body3-redo-v1.webp)

At 100%, each image pixel maps to one monitor pixel. Zoom changes the view, not the file; compare the same region and check the required edit separately.

## Record a decision for each difference

Record editability and appearance separately, tied to the received file's name and version. For each difference, choose:

- **Acceptable:** the required edit works and the recipient accepts the visible result, including any specifically agreed rasterization.
- **Repairable:** a defined feature needs another delivery revision. Prepare the correction on a preserved duplicate and leave acceptance open until the relevant checks are repeated.
- **Blocker:** the required edit cannot be completed or the appearance falls outside the agreement. The handoff is not ready.

A required check that hasn't been performed stays unconfirmed and isn't acceptable. When the local PSD already fails, go back to the source or the export preparation. If only the received copy differs, my first move is to get the identified file again and compare the receiving operation and application/version before touching the source.

For a repair or blocker, change only the affected feature in a duplicate, preserve the required editing control, export a new PSD and same-state PNG, and repeat the relevant edit and appearance checks. Procreate recommends [duplicating a layer before experimenting with major changes](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-organize?ref=theprocreate.com). Flattening the element that must remain editable doesn't satisfy the original agreement, and no particular simplification guarantees compatibility.

## Keep the approved package and master

Package the accepted PSD and its matching PNG with verified dimensions/profile information, source and recipient application versions, the required edit, and agreed exceptions. Keep missing information marked unconfirmed. Record the recipient's approval date and exact delivery version.

Retain the native pre-handoff source independently. If work continues in the recipient application, I'd identify the approved PSD as the ongoing master and [archive the native source](https://theprocreate.com/export-print/backup-procreate-artwork/) as the earlier version. Agree where subsequent revisions belong so two independently edited files don't become competing masters.

This is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Procreate.