After making repeatable surface patterns for a year (inconsistently, I might add), I thought I would post a rundown of how I make them. I might have posted something similar earlier, but it may be different since I've learned more things along the way.
I have a program called Clip Studio Paint (formerly Manga Studio) that I use to make my comics. Since I already have this and am comfortable with it, I use it to make patterns. It's like PhotoShop, yet cheaper. Sometimes they have deals going on. I think it was around $80 a few years ago. It's a one-time payment, not monthly like PS is. If you already know how to use PS, then you could probably learn to use this program quicker than I did since they're very similar.
I create my designs for Spoonflower, so I keep these dimensions written on a digital sticky note on my computer to refer to:
SPOONFLOWER uploads at 150 dpi:
1200 x 1200 px = 4” x 4” canvas at 300dpi.
It prints a 8” x 8” fabric swatch. (150dpi x 2 = 300dpi)
AND
1800x1800 px = 6” x 6” at 300dpi. It prints a 12” x 12” fabric swatch.
I start with drawing images that I want to use for my fabric design. Sometimes I draw directly in CSP, but most times I draw on paper first. If I draw on paper, I'll take a picture of it with my phone and text it to myself. I import the drawing into CSP, then draw over the image digitally. Recently, I've painted watercolor flowers for my designs.
Each drawing is done separately (usually in a 3"x3" square) because I will be rearranging them in Sketch. You can make many designs by changing the colors or arranging the images in different patterns.
Sometimes I have a color palette in mind. I look up color palette ideas online, usually on Pinterest and use similar groupings of colors of the ones I like.
I add the color to the images, then export each image as a PNG to the desktop.
Once all the images I want to use are done, I open Sketch and create a 1800px x 1800px square Artboard. I use these bigger dimensions for Spoonflower so that I can use it for wallpaper if I want to. I don't enable wallpaper for my designs yet because I heard that people steal wallpaper designs.
The small square in this image is the Artboard I work with. The flowers to the right of that square are the PNG images I created and dragged in from the desktop. I arranged the images the way I wanted.
For the images on the borders to repeat seamlessly, this is what I do:
Copy the image overlapping the border.
Right click over the image.
Select Paste Over.
For any image on the left or right border, click in the X (X-axis) box in the upper right corner of the screen in Sketch.
*Do not alter the numbers that are already in the box.*
Click to the right of the number.
If I want to continue the image from the left border to the right border, I would type in +1800 in the X-axis box next to the existing number.
Hit Enter.
The image will be pasted seamlessly on the right border.
If I want the image on the right border to be pasted seamlessly on the left border, I would type in -1800 in the X-axis box.
Remember, my square is 1800px x 1800px. That's the number I'm typing in the box. If your square has another dimension, you would type that number in the X-axis box.
For the images on the top and bottom borders, you would do the same thing, but type your numbers in the Y (Y-axis) box.
Copying and pasting a border image from the top to the bottom, you would type in a + before the number. In my case, I would type in +1800.
Copying and pasting a border image from the bottom to the top, you would type in a - before the number.
Don't forget to put in a background color after you're done arranging your images. To do this, go up to the Shape icon at the top of the screen. Select Rectangle. Drag it over your square until it is completely covered. Your images will be underneath it, so you will have to click on the word "Rectangle" on the left of your screen and drag the word to be placed under the names of all your images. While Rectangle is still highlighted, look on the right side of your screen under Fills and choose Color. Select your preferred color.
To test your image to see if it is repeatable, you need to first export that square Artboard as a PNG.
Create another Artboard beneath your square. See my image above. The large rectangle is my "test" Artboard. It doesn't have to be a specific size.
Create a Rectangle over it from the Shape icon at the top of your screen.
While that rectangle is highlighted/activated, click on Image under Fills on the right side of your screen.
Click on the icon that looks like a mountain with a circle.
Below that, under Type, click on the drop down menu and choose Tile Image.
In the small rectangle just above the words "Tile Image" is where you will drag your PNG that you just exported. Your image should appear in the large rectangle Artboard.
Beneath the words "Tile Image" is the Size adjuster bar where you can change the size of the repeatable pattern to see how it looks. Zoom in on the repeated pattern until you see the very thin white border lines. Make sure the images are repeating perfectly along those border lines. Make corrections in your original small square, export the PNG and test it again.
It sounds like a lot, but after you get the hang of it, it goes faster and is pretty easy. I don't have PhotoShop and Illustrator, so I don't know if it's faster, slower, or the same as using those programs.
Clip Studio Paint does not allow you to change the X and Y axis numbers, so that's why I have to use Sketch to do that. You can't draw in Sketch, so I use CSP for that.
You can test your repeatable pattern in CSP, but I rarely do that. I don't remember why I would do that in CSP, but if I remember, I will post about it.
You can also follow me on Instagram if you like: @kimberob4
Have fun!