How to Create a Repeat Pattern With Adobe Illustrator on the iPad
Do you want to learn how to create a repeat pattern in Adobe Illustrator on the iPad?
Adobe Illustrator on the iPad was recently released (October 20th, 2020), and the question on all surface pattern designers’ lips was “will we be able to create patterns in the app”?
I’m happy to share that yes, we can create patterns in Adobe Illustrator on the iPad. And no, I’m not talking about creating patterns with the Repeat tool in the app. I’m talking about real professional pattern tiles, that are ready to be printed on products or uploaded on print-on-demand sites.
I’ve just published a Skillshare class, where I teach how to create patterns in Illustrator on the iPad. You can watch it here: https://skl.sh/2K5uamB
As an addition to the class, I want to share my thoughts in this blog post on creating patterns in the app. As I’ve gotten some questions about this lately.
Is it the same experience as creating patterns in the desktop version of Adobe Illustrator on the iPad?
Well, I would say both yes and no. Illustrator on the iPad has its limits. As a surface designer, you probably did as I did. Started up the app, saw the transform tool, and thought YES I will be able to create patterns in the same way as I do with the desktop app (by using the transform tool to duplicate the objects falling off the edges of your tile to the opposite side). But if you tried that out, you know that it just won’t work that way in the app.
The transform tool in Illustrator on the iPad doesn’t work exactly the same as in the desktop app. You can’t just easily add a number to make an object move to that new place.
Disappointing? Well at a first glance yes! But after trying things out for a while I figured out a way to create patterns in Adobe Illustrator on the iPad that isn’t exactly the same smooth process as in the desktop app - but it’s not far from it.
How does it work to create patterns in Adobe Illustrator on the iPad?
Creating patterns with my method works flawlessly. But you need to work with precision and have a little bit of patience to get it right.
But it also doesn’t take that long to get a hang of - if you already know how to create patterns in the desktop version of the app.
The end result works perfectly fine to use as a pattern swatch to upload to for example print-on-demand sites or to print on products where you just use a png file with the pattern swatch to print.
If you however would send a pattern to a client that needs your pattern to be color separated or something a little bit extra like that, I would still make the final details in the desktop version of Adobe Illustrator instead of the iPad version. You could do this on the iPad, but it just isn’t as smooth a process as in the desktop version. Not yet anyhow. Illustrator on the iPad is a brand new app and I hope that we can expect that the updates in the future will make the app run more smoothly for all sorts of purposes.
Will I create all of my patterns on the iPad from here on?
Well, the short answer is no. Why? There are two reasons. The first reason is just that I’m so used to create patterns in the desktop version of the app and I know all of my own tips and tricks to make that workflow run really smooth. So just by habit, I will continue to create some of my patterns in the desktop version. The second reason is that if I license a pattern to a client that for example wants to have an adjustable Ai file with color separation, I would do this in the desktop version of the app - as it would just be so much quicker and easier (at this moment in time anyhow).
Will I create any patterns in Adobe Illustrator on the iPad?
YES! Absolutely. Working with only the iPad is so smooth. Especially if I’m on the go. I will definitely create patterns in the iPad app from now on - just not all of my patterns all of the time. And I will still probably go through the patterns in the desktop version of the app before I would send a pattern to a client - just to be sure that everything is correct with the file.
Is it worth learning how to create patterns in Adobe Illustrator on the iPad?
YES! The workflow is fun and smooth and I just feel that it’s so rewarding somehow to create my whole pattern from sketch to finished pattern tile on the iPad. I feel free in a way - as the iPad is so easy to travel with and the more I can do on my iPad the better, in my opinion.
Conclusion
Creating patterns in Adobe Illustrator is so much fun. And if you already know your way around the desktop version of Illustrator you will learn the process quickly and it all will feel familiar.
Watch the way I create patterns with Adobe Illustrator on the iPad in my new Skillshare class called Create a Repeat Pattern With Adobe Illustrator on the iPad.
Click this link to watch the class.
(P.S if you want to watch my classes but aren’t a member at Skillshare yet you’ll get 14 days of free trial via this link >>>)
P.S. To learn more from me check out my Skillshare classes and YouTube tutorials, and why not say hello at the gram :)
CHECK OUT ALL OF MY CLASSES HERE >>>
P.S. if you don't have a membership on Skillshare yet and want to watch the class, you can use the link in my bio to get 14 days of free trial click on this link >>>
