Seamless patterns are a popular and versatile design element that can be used in a wide range of applications, from textiles to web design. They are easy to create and can be used to create stunning designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of learning how to create seamless patterns and how they can be used to enhance your designs.
When I first started learning how to create seamless patterns I had a hard time to understand how I had to move the parts of the pattern to make it seamless. But yes, it was worth the effort because so far I could create a lot of products with seamless patterns and, last but not least, online classes.
Benefits of Creating Seamless Patterns
- Customization: By creating your own seamless patterns, you can customize the design to suit your needs and preferences. You can choose the colors, shapes, and sizes that best suit your design vision. Of course you can use hand-drawn images as well as commercial use graphics to create your seamless patterns.
- Branding: Seamless patterns can be used to create a unique brand identity for your business or personal brand. This happens when you don't use a huge variety of elements for your patterns. I for example nearly always use organic shapes and florals or elements in boho style. So basically this is my style and my designs have this way, hopefully, my signature.
- Marketable: Seamless patterns are popular design elements that can be used to create a range of products, from textiles to stationery. By creating your own patterns, you can tap into this market and sell your designs on print-on-demand sites or through your own online store as a digital graphic set.
Using Seamless Patterns in Design
Textiles: Seamless patterns are commonly used in textiles, such as clothing, bedding, and home decor. By creating your own patterns, you can design unique products that stand out from the crowd.
Web Design: Seamless patterns can be used in web design to create backgrounds, borders, and other design elements. They can also be used to create icons and buttons. But using them as backgrounds gets less and less popular. While this was popular in the beginning today websites often have a white or a one-color background.
Stationery: Seamless patterns can be used in stationery design, such as notepads, journals, and greeting cards. They can also be used to create custom wrapping paper and gift tags. Personally I like creating notebooks.
If I create them for Amazon I can not only design the cover but also the inside of the notebook, e.g. with a table of contents and page numbers but also with little cartoons or whatever comes to my mind.
Product Design: Seamless patterns can be used to create a range of products, such as phone cases, mugs, and tote bags. By creating your own patterns, you can design unique products that appeal to a wide range of customers or you niche down and e.g. create phone cases just for cat lovers!
Print on Demand Sites for Seamless Patterns
If you are interested in selling your seamless patterns, there are several print-on-demand sites that you can use:
Society6: Society6 is a popular print-on-demand site that allows artists to sell their designs on a range of products, including art prints, home decor, and apparel. The problem is that you cannot customize your images nor adding more so the only thing which makes you different from all the other designers there is your design.
Redbubble: What I just said about Society6 is also valid for Redbubble. It is a similar platform that allows artists to sell their designs on a range of products, including clothing, phone cases, and stickers. Both sites have a different but huge customer base and as a designer you also have a lot of competition.
Zazzle: Again, Zazzle is similar to Society6 and Redbubble. It is also a popular print-on-demand site that allows artists to sell their designs on a wide range of products, including stationery, home decor, and electronics.
Spoonflower: Spoonflower specializes in textile design and allows artists to sell their designs on a range of fabrics, wallpaper, and home decor. It is a bit different from the other sites though. If you want to sell fabric on Spoonflower you can upload it but you have to order a piece of your design before you can start selling it.
In conclusion, learning how to create seamless patterns is a valuable skill that can enhance your design work and open up new opportunities for selling your designs. Whether you are designing textiles, web graphics, or stationery, seamless patterns can add an extra level of visual interest and customization to your work.
I have added a class to the Safari Lounge Designer Classes called "From Procreate to Pattern" where I show you in half an hour to learn this skill.
If you have no experience with Procreate yet definitely check out my free class! It will help you to master Procreate:
Learn Procreate for Beginners
FREE CLASS with everything you need to know
about Procreate for digital painting.