Top 3 Reasons Why Procreate is Perfect for Creating Seamless Patterns that Sell

 

When I first started using Procreate, I noticed a lot of discussion around whether or not it’s truly capable of handling repeat pattern creation. As someone who’s used Procreate extensively for this very purpose, I’m here to tell you: Procreate is an incredible tool for pattern making.

Yes, there are misconceptions, but with the right knowledge and a few clever tricks, you can create seamless, professional-quality patterns that are ready for anything—whether it's for fabric, wallpaper, or digital use.

And the best part? You can make patterns that actually sell.

I’ve been using Procreate for almost 10 years, starting with Procreate Pocket for the iPhone. When the iPad Pro 10.5 was released, I couldn’t wait to experience Procreate on a larger scale, and it didn’t disappoint.

As an avid Adobe Suite user—including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop—I have to say that Procreate has become my favorite tool overall. That’s why I challenged myself to use Procreate to make seamless patterns, and I’m excited to share how you can do it too.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through why Procreate is ideal for creating repeat patterns, how to simplify the process, and strategies you can use to create patterns that are not just beautiful, but profitable.

Top 3 Reasons Why Procreate is a Great Tool for Pattern Making (And Selling Your Art):

Pattern created with our Basic/Full-Drop Pattern Template

1. User-Friendly Interface:

One of the main reasons I love Procreate is its intuitive, user-friendly interface. Whether you're new to pattern creation or have experience with other design software, Procreate’s simplicity makes the learning curve much easier. You don’t need a design degree to figure out the tools and shortcuts that help you build seamless patterns quickly, which is essential if you’re looking to create products that sell.

2. Built-In Tools for Precision:

Procreate offers a range of built-in tools that make pattern creation more precise than you might expect from a mobile app. Features like the grid and symmetry tools allow for easy alignment of elements, which is essential when you're working with repeating designs. And let’s not forget about the “Snapping” and “Magnetics” features, which make sure everything lines up perfectly. This precision is key if you want to ensure your patterns are of high enough quality to sell on fabric, wallpaper, or other products.

3. Misconceptions About Using Procreate for Patterns:

A common misconception is that Procreate is only for sketching or isn’t powerful enough for professional use. This couldn’t be further from the truth! With the right setup, you can create complex, high-resolution patterns that are perfect for use in fabric design, wallpapers, and more. Many successful designers sell Procreate-created patterns on platforms like Spoonflower, Etsy, and Society 6—proving that it’s not just a sketching tool, but a professional design platform.

My Experience Selling Patterns:

For the past two years, I’ve been creating and selling patterns on Spoonflower, where designers like myself can offer our work for fabric, wallpaper, and living decor. It’s been an incredible platform for getting my designs in front of a wider audience and seeing my patterns come to life on physical products. Now, I’m in the process of pitching my designs to companies for licensing opportunities, expanding my reach into new markets like textiles and stationery.

Procreate has been an invaluable tool throughout this journey, helping me create both beautiful and commercially viable designs. Its flexibility allows me to customize patterns, explore multiple color ways, and easily prepare them for different markets. By using Procreate, I’ve been able to streamline my creative process, and now I’m excited to share how you can use it to turn your art into a business.

5 Easy Steps to Create Seamless Patterns in Procreate That Sell: 

Pattern created with our Half-Drop Pattern Template

1. Set Up Your Canvas for Commercial Use:

Start by setting up your canvas in a square size that works for your project. A 4200px x 4200px canvas at 300 dpi is a great starting point for most patterns. This ensures your designs are high-resolution and ready to be printed on products like fabric and wallpaper. You’ll want to export your pattern files in high quality to ensure the best results for customers.

2. Use a Grid or Template to Ensure Accuracy:

Use Procreate’s grid settings or download a template to help align your motifs. This ensures that your design elements will repeat seamlessly. My free diamond template is a great starting point to help you create patterns that will align perfectly every time. Having a seamless, professional finish is critical if you’re planning to sell your patterns, as customers expect high-quality products.

3. Create Market-Ready Motifs:

Start by drawing the individual elements (motifs) that will make up your pattern. Think about what’s trending in the market—florals, geometrics, and nature-inspired themes are often big sellers in fabric and wallpaper designs. Use Procreate’s layers to keep everything organized and easy to adjust as you refine your pattern.

Tip: Research current trends on platforms like Spoonflower and Etsy to see what’s selling, and design your motifs to appeal to those markets.

4. Test the Repeat and Consider Scale:

Use Procreate’s “Snapping” feature to move your motifs and test how they repeat across the canvas. Adjust any overlaps to make sure the design flows seamlessly. Consider the scale of your pattern—larger motifs may work better for fabric and home decor, while smaller, intricate details are perfect for stationery or wallpaper.

Remember: Scale is important when selling patterns—think about how your designs will look on the final product.

5. Export Your Designs Ready for Sale:

Once you're happy with your design, export your pattern as a high-resolution image file. Whether you’re planning to sell on fabric, wallpaper, or as digital downloads, ensure the files are print-ready with proper resolution and format. Platforms like Spoonflower, Society6, and Etsy require specific dimensions and resolutions, so it’s important to check the guidelines for each before listing your designs for sale.

How to Make Your Procreate Patterns Sell: 

These are the 5 steps I use when creating and selling my patterns, whether on Spoonflower or pitching them for licensing. Here’s what’s worked for me and can help you too:

1. Research Your Target Market:

One of the first things I learned was that not every pattern is going to resonate with every audience. That’s why I always start by understanding what types of patterns are in demand. Whether it’s bohemian textiles, bold modern geometrics, or whimsical designs for kids, knowing your audience allows you to create patterns that speak directly to them. I personally spend time researching trends on platforms like Spoonflower, Etsy, and Pinterest to get a sense of what’s popular—and what’s selling. It makes all the difference when your patterns align with current market demands.

2. Use Procreate’s Flexibility for Customization:

This is one of my favorite things about Procreate—it’s incredibly flexible. I use it to easily create multiple versions of my patterns by adjusting colors or tweaking motifs for different products. For instance, when I find a colorway that works, I’ll often create two or three additional variations to appeal to different buyers. Offering a pattern in multiple color schemes or scales can drastically increase your chances of making a sale, and Procreate makes this process quick and seamless.

3. Stay Consistent with Quality:

Early on, I realized that inconsistencies in your patterns—whether it’s uneven repeats or poorly aligned motifs—can really hurt your credibility as a designer. Buyers will notice. That’s why I use Procreate’s tools like Snapping, layers, and grids religiously to ensure my patterns are as flawless as possible. Maintaining a high level of quality is key to building trust with your customers, especially if you want them to return for more.

4. Optimize for Different Products:

Something I’ve learned through selling my designs is that not all patterns work on every product. A large, bold floral might look stunning on home decor like pillows or curtains but might be overwhelming on stationery or clothing. When creating a new pattern, I always ask myself: “How will this look on a pillow versus a notebook or a dress?” Optimizing your patterns for different products can open up more opportunities for sales. Procreate makes it easy to adjust the scale and refine your designs for any product.

5. Market Your Patterns Creatively:

Once your patterns are ready, it’s time to get creative with how you showcase them. One of the best strategies I’ve found is to use mockups or real-life settings to show potential buyers how your patterns will look on the products they love. Pinterest and Instagram are gold mines for this. I regularly post my designs in mockups or styled photos to give people a visual representation of how my patterns can be used. This not only boosts sales but also builds brand recognition, showing off your design’s potential in the real world.

Tips & Tricks for Selling Patterns Created in Procreate:

Pattern created with our Anchor Pattern Template

1. Use Templates to Speed Up Your Process:

Templates like a diamond or half drop grid can save you time and ensure your patterns are seamless, leaving more time for you to focus on creating multiple sellable designs.

2. Batch Create Patterns for a Cohesive Collection:

Customers love pattern collections! Use Procreate’s layers to experiment with different motifs and create a cohesive set of patterns that can be sold together.

3. Play with Color Palettes to Appeal to Different Audiences:

Easily switch color palettes within Procreate to appeal to different audiences or create different versions of the same pattern. This is an easy way to offer more variety without starting from scratch.

How to Create Seamless Patterns in Procreate Minutes - DOWNLOAD FREEBIE

Procreate is much more than a digital sketchbook.

With the right approach, it becomes an incredibly powerful tool for creating seamless, professional patterns that sell. Whether you're creating patterns for fabric, wallpaper, or digital downloads, Procreate gives you the flexibility and precision you need to succeed. Throughout this blog series, I’ll share more tips, tricks, and even some downloadable freebies to help you on your journey to becoming a successful pattern designer.

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