How to Make Pattern In Illustrator | surface Pattern Design Tutorial

Introduction

Creating patterns in Adobe Illustrator can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer. In this tutorial, I will guide you through the entire process, from setting up your artboard to saving your final product. Let’s dive in!

Setting Up Your Artboard

1. Artboard Size
   Start by creating a 2000 by 2000 pixel artboard. A square artboard is ideal for pattern design, as it simplifies the process of mirroring your design.

2. Cleaning Up the Swatches Panel
   Open the swatches panel and delete any default colors to keep your workspace clean. This helps when you are working with multiple patterns.

Importing Your Artwork

3. Placing Your Artwork
   Go to File > Place to import your artwork into Illustrator. Click anywhere within the artboard to place it.

4. Image Trace
   With your artwork selected, go to Image Trace. Keep the settings as they are, but make sure to check the "Ignore White" box to remove the background. Click Trace and then Expand to convert your image into a vector graphic.

5. Ungroup Your Artwork
   Right-click on the grouped artwork and choose Ungroup. This allows you to select individual elements of your design.

Creating the Pattern

6. Arranging Your Design
   Begin placing your elements, such as leaves, across your artboard. Start from the left and copy them to the right. Remember, any part crossing the artboard lines needs to be mirrored on the opposite side.

7. Using the Transform Tool
   With your leaves selected, go to Transform > Move. Set the vertical movement to zero and the horizontal movement to 2000; press Copy to repeat your design.

8. Completing the Top Section
   Use the same method to replicate your design at the top of the artboard, adjusting the vertical movement as needed.

Finalizing Your Pattern

9. Zooming Out
   Occasionally zoom out to review your pattern as a whole. If you notice any gaps that need filling, this is the time to address those.

10. Adding a Background
    Create a rectangle that is 2001 by 2001 pixels to cover the entire artboard, ensuring it slightly overhangs to prevent any cut-off lines. Use the Arrange tool to send it to the back.

11. Testing Your Pattern
    To preview your pattern repeat, Select the entire pattern, then Transform > Scale. Ensure the Transform Object option is unchecked to see the pattern scaling instead.

Saving Your Work

12. Saving the AI File
    You can save the AI version of your pattern for future edits. Use Save Swatches to save your custom colors.

13. Exporting for Spoonflower
    For Spoonflower, go to File > Export > Save for Web. Choose your desired format—JPEG or PNG—and save the file on your computer. Spoonflower will repeat the pattern for you based on your artboard settings.

And that's it! You now know how to create a seamless pattern in Illustrator. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more tutorials!

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Keyword

• Illustrator
• Pattern Design
• Artboard
• Image Trace
• Vector Graphic
• Transform Tool
• Background
• Spoonflower
• Exporting

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FAQ

What size should my artboard be for pattern design?

A square artboard size of 2000 by 2000 pixels is recommended for simplicity in pattern design.

How can I clean up the swatches in Illustrator?

Delete all default swatch colors from the swatches panel to keep your workspace clean and organized.

What is the purpose of Image Trace?

Image Trace converts pixel-based images into vector graphics, allowing for better editing and scalability.

How can I ensure my pattern doesn't have cut-off lines?

Create a rectangle that's slightly larger than your artboard (e.g., 2001 by 2001 pixels) to cover the edges and avoid any cut-off lines.

Can I use my pattern on Spoonflower directly?

Yes, after exporting your pattern, you can upload it to Spoonflower, which will automatically repeat the design for fabric printing.