How to Create a Seamless Repeat Pattern with Adobe Photoshop CC | Spoonflower Tutorial

Ever wanted to try your hand at surface design, but struggled with or didn't know how to create seamlessly repeating patterns? This is the tutorial for you. We'll demystify the process of creating a seamless repeat using Adobe Photoshop CC, show you how to upload that design to Spoonflower.com, and create the custom printed fabric of your dreams. This tutorial takes less than 10 minutes, and is super easy to follow along with.
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[@anilworldwide]

Thanks Spoonflower !

[@patrickmoriarty-designerof5981]

I am an experienced designer/tutor and I will recommend this tutorial to my students who use Spoonflower to print all their fabrics. It's very good for beginners.

[@spoonflower]

Patrick - thank you so much! We really appreciate the kind words and endorsement :)

[@iisrini4776]

Your instructions are very clear. Thank you. This is very helpful for beginners like me 😀

[@woodfamily5229]

This was extremely helpful! I signed up for Spoonflower several years ago but never did anything with the account. I’m finally properly motivated to use it. I’m excited for this.

[@hemidancer64]

AWESOME tutorial! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@smoore69]

Thanks. That was helpful. Gave me the general idea and I made it work.

[@Joeinlosangeles]

Genius -- this is really helpful!

[@AbdulrahmanAlshammaa]

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing :)

[@yolaamz6015]

👍👍👍Thank you very much

[@marinad164]

Very clear and helpful instructions! Thanks a lot!

[@spoonflower]

We're so happy you found it useful, Marina!

[@susanschmitz5871]

Great! Keep em’ coming!😀

[@almohvn33]

OMG... !@!!!!!! I DID IT!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[@alsoarty1]

I'm going to give this a try, but since I have different images in the design, I hope it works.

[@spoonflower]

Let us know how it works!

[@kathim182]

How did you get rid of the white around the flower. I couldn't understand what you said. Thanks!

[@bistdushejn]

It seems like this is just for basic repeats, is there a tutorial for the brick/ half drop repeats?

[@lbaugher8131]

Will this technique work if you are using a design that has a transparent background? I purchased an animal design and it has a transparent background. Right now it can be used as a design on apparel however I would like to make it into a repeat pattern and place it on apparel.

[@dianevisintainer4226]

Hi, This video is very helpful. I have a few questions: #1. I want to use my own macro flower photos to create a design for an infinity scarf. The question is: What size do I use for the width and height in inches for an infinity scarf? Then, the second question is: When it's time to download to Spoonflower, how do I get the design put on an infinity scarf? Thanks, Diane

[@brendabolts9769]

I want to use an old photo postcard image to make a fabric that I can use to make a lampshade. Can you please show how to size a larger size print repeat, or how to add 3 images to make a big image for a floor lamp sized shade? Thanks so much!

[@rhyannonp8231]

I would suggest scaling to size while it is a smart object first, if you scale larger when its rasterized it can become pixelated. Otherwise I found the information useful

[@TrishMeyer99]

That's true IF the smart object was scaled down first as scaling up a smart object can recover the original resolution. But if you place something at 100% (say it's 300x300 px square), it doesn't matter if you scale it up to 400x400 square while it's a SO or after its rasterizing - it still blows up pixels. Smart Objects can't make more original pixels any more than a regular layer can - for that you need a vector image. However, if you had first scaled it down you can at least recover the original pixels later. (Mind you,, something odd happened at 2:16 as it looks like she imported a 1600+ image into a 1200 px canvas, but the flower is much smaller than that.)

[@shopandawe350]

At about 6:40 on your tutorial you say "before offsetting your file back again". What does this mean??? Thx.

[@spoonflower]

Theresa is talking about merging the visible layers so that when you go to Filter -> Offset, Photoshop offsets the entire image, instead of just the layer you currently have selected. I hope that helps!

[@MsMBeester]

What if I want space within the design pattern? Does it have to be the exact way this tutorial suggests?

[@spoonflower]

Hey Michelle, you can duplicate your design as few or as many times as you want, based on how much space you want within your pattern!

[@TrishMeyer99]

Something odd going on at 2:16. The flower image is over 1600 px square according to file info. The Photoshop canvas is 8x8 @ 150 ppi = 1200 px square. But once imported, the flower looks to be about 350 px wide. Did it get scaled down?

[@twinqlez1]

I think this is one of the best videos on repeat patterns, but the volume is quite looow...I could not turn up anymore, still thanks tho after all you did help me

[@ATLGETREADY4ME]

I’m using Canva do I have to change my DPI from 150 to 125

[@sonofhibbs4425]

Which version of photoshop is this? The new one has none of these great options.

[@Ruthie_too]

Are you saving the offset version or the original version? Or does it not matter?

[@spoonflower]

Hey Kristine, we're saving the offset version. The original version would technically be the version with a single flower, so we've used the offset feature to create a repeating pattern, and are saving that version as a .jpg. I hope that makes sense!

[@Ruthie_too]

in the video (at 6:50) you talk about toggling between the repeated offset version and back to the non offset version to find any awkward gaps. So i was wondering between those two versions which one to save off. Im thinking either one will do because it's essentially just a different view of the same pattern.

[@spoonflower]

Ah, I see what you're saying-yes, either one would be fine. As long as you've used the offset feature to get a version of your image that you're happy with, saving the pattern in general should capture the repeating design you've created.

[@prashantvyascg9499]

Why we upload ower design to your website?

[@jodib4445]

You upload to make it into fabric for yourself. Or to sell to others. But beware of pirates.

[@michelekamp9871]

Hi, why do you use 150 as resolution instead of 300?

[@spoonflower]

Hey Michele, thanks for reaching out: The lowest resolution Spoonflower supports is 150 ppi-Fabric fibers have a lot more bleed and texture than paper does, so there is a limit to how much detail they can hold. You can definitely use a higher resolution (like 300 dpi), but we don't support lower than 150. Hope that helps!

[@savyamallick998]

i want to work with you.

[@MetaDarwin]

Can barely hear her with all at 100%!

[@migwhitt5503]

sound is bad. good tutorial.

[@soniaguzman762]

What if I don't have Photoshop?

[@earljmaui_boy2546]

* * * I believe that you can use any image editor that permits saving .png or .jpg files. That's the only stipulation for uploading... .png or .jpg files. (grin)

[@spoonflower]

There are a few online editors you can use, but we like GIMP (www.gimp.org). It's an open source image editor that has a seamless repeat option. There are tutorials online about how to use GIMP to create a seamless repeat. If you end up trying it, let us know how it works!

[@ArtsyLadyCrafter]

Affinity Photo has an offset filter. It's a one-time purchase of the software and updates are free. It rivals Photoshop somewhat, without the subscription. Serif is faithful in working out bugs in this fairly new program.

[@zhuruprinting9510]

You are Looking so sweet (don't mind) Nice Job

[@shanaebolen2386]

Really wish you wouldnt assume everyone knows how to highlight and do simple steps more detail would be nice.

[@donnapickering1181]

Please consider using a good microphone in the future. Can hardly hear you.

[@almohvn33]

6:52.... VERY UNCLEAR.. CAN YOU ASSIST??? ?

[@kathleenbeard5108]

Can't hear a word she's saying even with full volume.