Create a Seamless Texture Repeat

How to create a seamless textured background.

I often create a textured background for my patterns, but just like the repeat of the motifs, the textured background also needs to repeat.  Just have a look at these two patterns:

Both of the patterns above have seamless repeated texture used as the background.  To achieve this just watch the video below and follow these simple steps:

1. In Photoshop, create a document that is the size you want to create your final repeat and insert your texture.  These may have been scanned in if you painted it, or opened from another file.
2. Remove any overlaps.  I just use the Rectangular Marquee Tool and select the entire canvas.  Cut and paste (command/ctrl + x to cut, then command/ctrl v to paste).  Then remove the original layer.
3. Offset the texture by going to Filter -> Other -> Offset.
   • Make sure Wrap Around is selected
   • Enter half the width in the horizontal field
   • Enter half the width in the vertical field
4. Use either the Spot Healing Brush or the Clone Tool to blend in the seams that run horizontally and vertically in the middle.
5. Once you’re happy with it, define the pattern (go to Edit -> Define Pattern) to test it out on a new pattern layer.  You can go back and make further adjustments if necessary.
6. You are now ready to compose the rest of your pattern on top.

How did you go?  Did you manage to create a repeating texture?   As always, leave a comment below or send me a message if you want a tutorial on a specific topic and I’ll be sure to add it to my list.

Happy pattern-making!

Mel