Design Resources

8 Seamless Repeat Tutorials for Designing Custom Fabric

August 17, 2018

Surface pattern design is not just for the professionals! If you’ve ever browsed our Marketplace for llamas, rainbows or even motorcycle fabric, there’s a good chance you’ve been curious to know how designers have created their seamless repeats. From traditional tools like a pen and paper to design programs like Adobe® Photoshop® and Adobe® Illustrator®, we’re showing you eight seamless repeat tutorials to help you find your tried and true resource for creating seamless repeats. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be ready to enter one of our upcoming design challenges!

How to Create a Seamless Repeat on Your iPad with Pixelmator

August 10, 2018

If you’ve been following the blog, by now you’ve learned how to turn your drawings into a seamless repeat in eight easy steps, seen how to design a seamless repeat in Procreate with Anda, and how to take your drawings from paper to pixel with Photoshop. So what else could there be to learn? We’re so glad you asked! Today we’re welcoming Liz Brown, one member of the dynamic duo better known as Thin Line Textiles in the Marketplace, and Spoonflower team member, to share how to create a seamless repeat on your iPad with Pixelmator. This design tool is your one-stop-shop for creating, editing and enhancing your images.

7 Tips for Designing a Cut-and-Sew Project

August 8, 2018

Have you ever wondered how designers in the Spoonflower community create the adorable cut-and-sew projects you’ve been eyeing in the Marketplace? From the purrrfect zipper pouch (see the how-to here) to a giftable hedgehog plushie, the only limit to creating your very own cut-and-sew project is your imagination. To help you get started, Spoonflower designer Ceri Staziker–cerigwen in the Marketplace–is sharing seven design tips for successfully creating a cut-and-sew project. By the time you’re done, you’ll never underestimate the power of a fat quarter!

7 Tips for Designing a Cut-and-Sew Project | Spoonflower Blog

Spoonflower designer cerigwen knows a thing or two about cut-and-sew projects!

2 Ways to Save Money When Proofing Your Designs

July 27, 2018

By now, you probably already know that you can sample a single design on any fabric for $5 (or wallpaper for $5-$7.50), but did you know that you can also sample dozens of designs at once on a single piece of fabric for a great price? We’ll walk you through two ways to do that below so you can start saving money to make money in the Spoonflower Marketplace!

2 Tips for Saving Money to Make Money on Spoonflower | Spoonflower Blog

Featured designs: Groundcovers M+M Smoke & Navy Black | Groundcovers Navy | Miami Sunset

How to Create a Seamless Repeat in Photoshop

July 25, 2018

At some point in your life, you’ve probably spent five minutes doodling on a napkin or scrap piece of paper. But have you ever wondered what your doodle might look like as a repeating pattern? Spoonflower’s graphic designer, Alexis, is stopping by the blog to show you how easy it is to take your drawing off the paper and onto the screen to create a seamless repeat in Photoshop. Download your free trial and get started on your next fabric design!

How To Design a Fabric Research Poster with PowerPoint

July 24, 2018

Preparing for a presentation can be stressful enough, and the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to get your poster printed without breaking the bank. Enter Spoonflower, where you can get a wrinkle and tear-free fabric poster printed for under $25. You may have seen our poster design tutorial featuring the free program Canva, but today, Spoonflower community member and UNC research scientist, Angie Proctor, is sharing how she uses PowerPoint and Spoonflower to print her presentation posters.

How to Design a Seamless Repeat with Procreate

July 18, 2018

Does mastering the art of seamless repeats feel like the pinnacle of your surface design journey? We’ve got a not-so-secret truth to tell you—they’re easier than you might think! Spoonflower designer Anda Corrie is demystifying seamless repeats using the budget-friendly (just $9.99!) design tool, Procreate®, and her trusty iPad.

How To Design a Fabric Research Poster with Canva

June 28, 2018

Does the thought of lugging an oversized cardboard tube storing your poster for an upcoming presentation have your heart racing and palms sweating? If you know this stressful feeling all too well, today’s research poster hack will be your saving grace. Follow along as one of Spoonflower’s Customer Service Advocates, Jennifer, shares how to create a one yard poster on Performance Piqué using the free design program Canva. By the end of her tutorial you’ll be saying goodbye paper, hello piqué!

How To Design A Fabric Research Poster With Canva | Spoonflower Blog

Pro tip: Adding a headshot at the bottom of your poster lets people easily know which poster is yours.

A Seller’s Guide to Making Money on Spoonflower

June 27, 2018

There’s nothing quite like making money doing what you love and seeing other people use your artwork to make amazing things. Just one scroll through #spoonflower on Instagram and you’ll be hit with a wave of inspiration and joy. Selling your designs in the Spoonflower Marketplace is not only rewarding, but you join a diverse community of artists from all walks of life. From professional designers to hobbyists, the Spoonflower Marketplace is a place for everyone, including you! But how do you set up your Spoonflower shop for success? Keep reading for tips and tricks (and a few exciting updates!) from the Spoonflower distribution team.

A Seller's Guide to Making Money on Spoonflower | Spoonflower Blog

Spoonflower designer youdesignme in her Berlin, Germany studio

Turn Your Hand Lettering into a Fabric Design: Backgrounds and Repeats

May 2, 2018

Kathy Glynn, the author of Hand Lettering Step by Step: Techniques & Projects to Express Yourself Creatively, is back to share the second part of her DIY hand lettering tutorial. By the time you’re done, you’ll be ready to digitally print your calligraphy onto your favorite fabric, wallpaper or gift wrap. If you missed part one, digitizing your lettering, of Kathy’s two-part series, be sure to take a peek before you get started today.

Kathy: Designing your own fabric is a fun way to share your lettering with others or to incorporate your lettering into your craft projects. Before you get started, decide on the elements you want to use, keeping in mind that the design will be repeated. Today I’m using a calligraphic phrase I previously scanned and a scanned watercolor swatch to color the lettering. I used the watercolor swatch to create a custom pattern in Photoshop that gives the lettering a subtle gradation effect. [Read more…] about Turn Your Hand Lettering into a Fabric Design: Backgrounds and Repeats