Procreate for Surface Pattern Design: Tips and Considerations
Are you interested in using Procreate as your main tool when creating seamless repeating patterns, but wonder if it's enough? Have you heard that the industry standard is to only use Adobe Illustrator and that all of your patterns need to be made with vectors? Then keep reading, because I'm busting the myths in this blog post. We'll look at the pros and cons of using Procreate to make surface patterns, and I'll give you some tips for making high-quality patterns.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Procreate is a great tool for making repeating patterns. This awesome drawing app has features that can help you make better patterns and have more fun while creating. Some people believe that Procreate is only for drawing and painting, but it can also be used for creating seamless patterns. Additionally, Procreate offers a wide range of brushes and textures that can be used to create unique and intricate designs.
Can you create seamless patterns in Procreate?
The answer is yes! While some designers prefer to use vector-based software like Adobe Illustrator, Procreate can work well for most print projects as long as you keep in mind the only limitation with raster patterns: that they aren't scalable. To insure high resolution and high-quality patterns, keep your DPI at 300 and your canvas size at a minimum of 3000 px in width and height.
Is it acceptable to raster raster patterns in the pattern pattern design industry?
Yes, it is usually okay in the surface pattern design industry to make raster patterns. While some designers favor vector patterns, there is no absolute requirement that all (or any) patterns must be vectors. Ultimately, the most important thing is that your pattern looks good and can be used effectively in its intended context.
Why use Procreate for surface pattern design?
Procreate is amazing to use to create patterns. First of all, you will have a lot of freedom and options. Working with layers in Procreate makes it easy to try out different design elements and changes without ruining the original design. Also, Procreate has a large library of brushes and settings that can be changed, and there's also the possibility to purchase unique, high quality brushes online. This lets you make textures and effects that are impossible to make with vectors. Procreate also offers a wide range of export options, which makes it easy to create high-quality designs in a variety of file formats. Overall, Procreate is a powerful tool that can streamline the surface pattern design process and provide endless creative possibilities for designers. Additionally, Procreate can be used alongside other software, such as Adobe Photoshop, to achieve the desired results. ​
When should you consider using vector patterns?
Vector patterns can be useful in certain contexts. Vector graphics are infinitely scalable without any loss of resolution, which means that they can be used at any size without losing quality. This can be particularly useful for patterns that will be used across multiple applications or in larger formats. However, raster patterns can also be used in different formats, as long as you create the original file at high resolution and as large pattern tile as you ever would want to use.
How can you ensure your Procreate patterns are high-quality?
Several things affect the quality of your Procreate patterns, such as the size of the canvas, the DPI, and what you want to do with the final pattern. As long as you are creating your artwork at a high enough resolution and are mindful of the potential limitations of rasterized artwork, patterns made in Procreate can be high-quality and suitable for use for all sorts of purposes and products.
Why would you want to use Procreate to create patterns?
There are several reasons why you wouldwant to use Procreate to create patterns. Procreate offers a range of tools and brushes that allow you to create unique and detailed patterns quickly and easily. Its intuitive interface makes it an appealing option for artists and designers who prefer a hands-on approach to digital art. Additionally, Procreate is affordable and accessible, making it an excellent choice for creatives on a budget or those who prefer working on an iPad. With its ability to create high-quality raster patterns, Procreate can be a valuable tool for surface pattern designers looking to expand their skills and create eye-catching designs. And last but not least, the yummy textures you can create in Procreate are nowhere near those that can be made using a vector app such as Adobe Illustrator.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to prioritize creativity and the way that you, as a creative, want to create patterns. You can adapt and be flexible if one client at some point asks you to create a vectorized design. But most of the time, you'll find that raster patterns are working just fine in the industry. And one thing to keep in mind is that using Adobe Photoshop as a finishing app can be beneficial if you want to work a lot with clients within surface pattern design, as many clients are used to Photoshop files and not Procreate files. Even so, you can design the majority of your designs in Procreate and then finish the file in Photoshop, for example, with the requested color profile, layer separation, and so on.
In fact, Procreate can be a fantastic tool for surface pattern design, and many designers have found success using it as their primary tool. If you're interested in exploring Procreate for surface pattern design further, consider signing up for Pattern Rebels, a membership dedicated to creating patterns with Procreate and growing your design style.
Pattern Rebels is a membership dedicated to creating patterns with Procreate and growing your design style. It includes courses, tutorials, artwork feedback, Q&A sessions, guided drawing sessions, daily drawing prompts, and an exclusive community of like-minded creatives. Members also receive free Procreate downloads every month, and a 15% discount in my webshop.
đź’« So what are you waiting for? Join Pattern Rebels and let's have some fun creating patterns with Procreate! Don't miss out on the chance to become a pattern design pro.
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