Make a Photoshop Pattern

Pre-made patterns are basically Photoshop's version of wallpaper, allowing you to easily copy and create repeating patterns in any image. Making them is easy. Once finished, you can used them in place of colors for brushes, cover over backgrounds, and much more.

Steps

Creating a Basic, Easy Pattern

  1. Open up a new, small canvas. To do so, click on "File" → "New." This canvas will be the thing that is repeated throughout your pattern. Whatever size this canvas is will be the size of each repeated item in the picture. For now, set the height and width to 100 pixels or so, then zoom in (the "+") key to see the pattern up close.
    • You can change the canvas size later, so don't worry about getting it exactly right the first time if you're struggling.[1]
    • You can choose any type of background, from white to transparent, depending on your desired pattern.
  2. Fill in the canvas with your unique pattern. You might put something in the center, knowing it will repeat, or fill the whole thing up. You can even put in other images or text. If you've got multiple layers, right-click on them and select "Flatten Image" when you're done.[2]
    • If you're just practicing, place a dot in the very middle of the frame. This will end up creating a polka dot pattern.
    • You can turn on "View" → "Show Guides" to help you center and space out your pattern if you want exact measurements.[3]
  3. Click on "Edit" → "Define Pattern." You can find this up in the top bar. This allows you to save your pattern and use it later.
  4. Rename the pattern and hit "OK" to save your new pattern. This is all you have to do! Once you've finished renaming, your pattern will now appear in the patterns menu.[3]

Creating Perfectly Repeating Patterns

  1. Open a new canvas and create your pattern. Start by just drawing, copying, or adding the images you want in your pattern. The size of the canvas will be the size of each repeating piece of the pattern later on, so remember this as you're working.
  2. Flatten the image if you have multiple layers. Depending on your workflow and pattern, you may end up with multiple layers. Merge them together by right-clicking in the Layer's Palette and selecting "Flatten Image." Note, however, that this will prevent you from editing the individual layers.
    • It is often best to use "Save As" to save a copy of the pattern with layers, allowing you to go back and make changes if need be.[4]
  3. Offset your pattern using the Filters menu. In the top bar, click on "Filters" → "Other" → "Offset." This will slide the pattern slightly, making it easier to repeat perfectly. Make sure you set the following settings:
    • Vertical Offset: Set to half of your image's height. If you have a 600px tall canvas, set the vertical offset to 300px.
    • Horizontal Offset: For now, set this to zero.
    • Wrap Around: Make sure that this setting is checked.[2]
  4. Offset the pattern again, this time focusing on the Horizontal Offset. Again, use "Filters" → "Other" → "Offset" to pull up the appropriate menu. Then set the following settings:
    • Vertical Offset: Set this to zero.
    • Horizontal Offset: Set this to half of your image's total width. If the width is 100px, you set the Horizontal Offset to 50px.
    • Wrap Around: Make sure that this setting is checked.[4]
  5. Fill in any gaps created in your pattern by the offsetting. When the filter is put into effect, it moves some of your pattern over. You can, however, use copy and paste or create new drawings to fill in the small spaces if you desire.
    • Remember to flatten your image again if you decide to create more layers or images.
  6. Offset the image one more time, focusing on the Vertical Offset, if the four corners are not yet meeting. Remember, this pattern wants to repeat perfectly, so the each side should be balanced with the other. For example -- if your pattern is made up of stick figures, and the top of a head pokes out the bottom of the pattern, that figure's body should be right on the top edge of the pattern, so that they match up when repeated. To get this, Offset the image one more time, using the same settings as the first time.
    • Vertical Offset: Set to half of your image's height. If you have a 600px tall canvas, set the vertical offset to 300px.
    • Horizontal Offset: For now, set this to zero.
    • Wrap Around: Make sure that this setting is checked.[4]
  7. Save your new pattern to put it to use. Click on "Edit" → "Define Pattern." This saves your pattern in the pattern box. You can choose a new name, then hit "OK" to save the pattern.[5]
  8. Test your pattern with "Edit" → "Fill." Open up a new canvas, one at least 3-4 times bigger than your pattern. To use the pattern, select "Fill" from the Edit menu, then choose "Pattern" from the Use box. You can then choose your pattern from the Custom Pattern Menu.[3]
    • You can also use "Layer" ↠ "New Fill Layer" → "Pattern..."
    • The Pattern Stamp Tool, found under the Clone Stamp Tool, allows you to "paint" a pattern on the image.[5]

Tips

  • You can use any sort of images or text in a pattern.
  • It is usually easiest to start with small patterns. You can use "Image" → "Image Size" to fix any patterns that are too big, however.



Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/creating-custom-pattern-in-photoshop/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/repeating-patterns-intro/
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.creativebloq.com/photoshop/repeating-pattern-41411342
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://ohmyhandmade.com/2013/hands/lets-create-a-repeat-pattern-in-photoshop/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/creating-patterns.html
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