Making and using patterns

You can turn anything into a pattern that Photoshop will store. You can then have Photoshop repeat it for you over an area.

Objective

Original
 Finished result

Tutorial

  1. We want to make just one part of the pattern that can be repeated several times. Let's start with a new canvas (File >> New). I will be using a 3x3px canvas.

  2. Make sure your Layers panel is open. (Go to Window >> Show Layers if it's not.) Make a new layer New Layer (or Layer >> New >> Layer or Ctrl + Shift + N).

  3. In your Layers panel, select the Background layer and delete it Delete layer. You should have a single, transparent layer now.

  4. Now make your pattern on this layer. I am making a grid pattern, so I will use the Pencil tool Pencil tool to draw a corner.

  5. Go to Edit >> Define Pattern. Name the pattern and then hit OK.

  6. Now you have a stored pattern! Whenever you want to use it, go to Edit >> Fill. Set "Use" to Pattern, and then select your pattern from the Custom Pattern list.

Pattern examples

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Image credit: sundstrom at stock.xchng