Please note: This tutorial is best suited for artwork on white paper.
1. Scan your artwork at 300 DPI and open it in Photoshop. Use Replace Color, to make sure the background of the image is pure white. Click Image > Adjustments > Replace Color, make sure Preview is checked, and set the Fuzziness to 25.
2. Next click on the background of the image; that hue will appear in the box labeled Color. Drag the Lightness slider all the way to the right—the Result box will turn white. You should see your image background turn bright white as well. Click OK.
TIP: To adjust the colors of your image further use Image > Adjustments > Hue & Saturation and edit as needed.
3. Focusing on one element at a time, use the Lasso tool (in the side toolbar) to trace around your element as close as possible. Copy (command+C) and Paste (command+V) your selection; this will put it on a new layer. Click back onto your original layer and repeat this process with any remaining elements.
4. Set up a new canvas to create your repeat by going to File > New. Any dimension will work (but a square is easiest). Set the Resolution “DPI” to 150, Color Mode to RGB and click Create. Be sure to remember the measurements for the center point of your design as you’ll need it later. For example, if your canvas is a 1200px square the center point would be 600px.
5. Go back to your first canvas and click on one of your element layers. Make a selection of that layer under menu Select > All (command+A) and Copy it. Then Paste the element into your new canvas. Resize (if needed) and place it in the center.
TIP: To resize your element, use the Transform tool under Edit > Transform > Scale (command+T). Hold Shift while clicking and dragging from the corners, and press Enter to confirm the new size.
6. Make a duplicate of your first layer by clicking Layer > Duplicate Layer and click “OK” (command+J). Select your new layer and choose Filter > Other > Offset from the menu.
7. In the offset tool, enter the center point of your canvas (see Step 3) in the Horizontal and Vertical boxes. Click OK.
8. Your element should now repeat in each corner of your canvas with your first element still in the center. Now simply fill any empty space on your canvas with additional design elements (should you choose), being careful not to touch the edges of your canvas with any of the other elements.
9. That’s it! When you’re happy with your repeat, save out an image as a JPEG or PNG under File > Save As and upload to Spoonflower.
Now that you’ve learned how to create a repeating design, why not put your skills to the test during one of our weekly design challenges? We can’t wait to see what you create!
Great demo thank you – Just a quick question …
I messed up a bit with background colour – as I had a colour background initally and this I couldnt get to white – So I continued with everything else – but of couse my motifs had a bit of the background colour surrounding them…it just didnt go white. in the first process of picking the white – did I miss something?
The repeat worked faboulously – just must make pattern with no background colour I guess , then add at the end… But is there a way to strip the background colour if there is one rather than just white paper colour.? thank you
Hi Tracy!
It sounds like your original drawing on paper had a colored background instead of white? If that is the case, you’ll just need an extra step or two to remove that background color! While the Lasso Tool in this tutorial is great if you are starting with a white background, there are a couple of tools that allow you to trim around an object with more accuracy.
1. You can try the Magnetic Lasso Tool. This is very similar to the Lasso Tool from this tutorial, except that it will cling to the object you are outlining. This isn’t always perfect and still may require some additional clean up.
2. Another option is creating a selection with the Pen Tool. This takes more time but can be more accurate.
I hope those additional tools help!
Jessie
Spoonflower
The image that are used in this How to Create Seamless Repeat Patterns show more of the laptop and the user than they show of the Photoshop display. Is this tutorial about the laptop? This tutorial would be more effective if you were interested in showing details about the Photoshop display than pictures of the laptop
I understand how that might seem frustrating, Sam!
Here’s a few things that might help: a) you can zoom on any of the photos you might like to see more of, b) the text in the post offers helpful steps in how to put those actions into practice and c), if those fail, we have plenty more tutorials on the blog that are about Photoshop and how you can use it: https://blog.spoonflower.com/?s=photoshop.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
This is an outdated way to create patterns in Photoshop. There is now only one step required: Go to ‘View’ and select ‘Pattern Preview’ – this allows you to draw a perfect tile for any pattern in real time and see it unfold as you draw. It’s the best! If you need a tutorial on this, let me know, and in the meantime, it would be so helpful for your artist community to know about this. It’s the fastest and easiest way to create patterns in any digital art software.
Thanks so much for your comment, Kyle! It is definitely a priority for us to work on updating some of our older design tutorials, like this one, and we will be sure to keep your feedback and comments in mind. Thanks again! Best, Theresa
Very informative! Thank you.
This tutorial has lots of great information. What version of PhotoShop was used for this video?
Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth,
Alexis used Photoshop CC 2018 for this tutorial!
Can you submit a picture from your camera? For material?
Hi Diane,
You can certainly print your own pictures onto fabric! All you have to do is upload a JPG or PNG of your photo. Here’s a helpful tutorial to get you started. -Meredith from Spoonflower
That tutorial is really informative
To think I’ve been doing this by hand the whole time! My method prior to this has been to match up the elements in the corners using the grid lines to match up landmarks in the elements, create a new canvas, and test out the pattern. Repeat until everything matches. This seems so much easier.
Thanks Alexis!
I´m starting my journey as a pattern designer and this article helps a lot!
I use Ilustrator most of the time but I will give Photoshop a chance now.
Have a great weekend!
Jime 🙂