Amazing And Easy Patterns With Photoshop; Tutorial

Tutorial #2 For CraftSassy

Written by Victoria Warren-Mears

In Photoshop Elements you can create new patterns to use as scrapbook designs to print at CraftSassy. I have Photoshop 2.0 on one computer and Photoshop 7.0 on another. I know, update the 2.0 already. But this technique works equally well in either edition.

I will walk you through the process step by step and show you some vintage looking papers I created as well.

First, open PSE and click on File > NEW
Name your document on the window that pops up
Select CUSTOM and set the size to 2 inches by 2 inches
• This will give you a small square that can be repeated many times (6 x 6) on a 12 inch piece of scrapbook paper. You can also set the size to3 x 3 inches, 4 x 4 inches or 6 x 6 inches, depending on the number of repetitions you like and the size of the image you wish to design.
Set the PIXELS to 300 pixels/inch
Set the BACKGROUND to white or transparent, depending on your needs.
Click OK

Now comes the fun part! You have a new “square” to create a new pattern.
For my examples, I used “royalty free clip art” that I purchased on CD-Rom from Dover Publications.
SELECT YOUR IMAGES AND OPEN THEM
Select LAYER>DUPLICATE
Send your new Layer to whatever name you gave the small 2 x 2 inch square.
RESIZE YOUR IMAGES, keeping the scale the same and arrange on the pattern square.
REPEAT this until you have your desired pattern look.
When you are satisfied save your pattern.

EDIT > DEFINE PATTERN
You will be asked to name your pattern and it then shows up in the pattern list.

To make your 12 inch by 12 inch patterned paper, create a new 12 x 12 inch document, with the pixels set to 300 pixels/inch.
Choose the PAINT BUCKET
Select FILL PATTERN
Select your pattern from the DROP DOWN LIST OF PATTERNS
CLICK THE BUCKET ON YOUR 12 X 12 INCH DOCUMENT.
Wait patiently and soon your paper will emerge.

I have created several vintage examples:
Vintage Postcard

Vintage Flapper


They remind me a bit of the style of Graphic 45. Remember you can create all sorts of patterns. You can even select a pattern from another photo or LO and repeat the process I described to get fantastic papers that are uniquely yours.