RepeatPatterns.com is looking for digital images that make an all over pattern repeat. These images need to be decorative and ready for print, something that would look good on an actual product that you might find in a store, catalog or online. Look at a few of these places to see what repeat images are desirable and in style. You’ll find patterns on a variety of products, such as gift-wrap, scrapbook paper, bedding, home decor, wallpaper, and fabrics.
We are also looking for graphic patterns that repeat and hold up to the same guidelines as below. There is a line between graphic and decorative and in the subjective world of design work that line is thin.
One thing to consider when you start your pattern is the size. There are a few standards of size in the printing world and every different type of company has a different standard. For example a fabric printer may require designs to fit into the repeat size of 25.25 inches on either the width or the height. Any division of 25.25 inches will work (12.625 inches, 8.416inches, 6.2135 inches, 3.156 inches). If you are making bitmap files please use these sizes as a start. Trying to resize your bitmap image up or down will break up your image quality and may throw off the repeat. Vector files can be scaled to any size and will have an easier time. Most designers are comfortable starting out with no planned size in mind and work until the desired effect is reached. The print size should be the actual size of the repeating pattern, and there should be nothing outside the print area. Since our name is repeat patterns.com, it is important that all submitted images actually repeat. Each side of the image must line up perfectly with its opposite side for a seamless repeat. For help, please reference our Repeat pattern tutorial.
What you should send
RepeatPatterns.com takes both vector and bitmap repeatable patterns. Carefully follow this guide and we’ll help you get your images to a format you can submit.
RGB vs. CMYK
RepeatPatterns.com tries to make their patterns as versatile as possible. So some attempts at a standard must be made. We feel that the customer can determine what areas of the image needs changed and exactly how they would do it. For example when an RGB image is converted to CMYK, several guidelines must be considered, including paper stock, four-color film, output device, layout software programs used, types of inks used and special effects, etc. We believe decisions like these are best left to the designer.
Lets start with Vector files
Some things you may need to know about vector files and their compatibility issues. Some features in the newer programs will cause problems. A great new stroke on a path you made may simply not show up in an older version or expand itself and make it difficult to edit. Gradient mesh is another cause for headaches. But here’s the good news. We’d like you to include your image in its mother program. Whatever vector editing program you used to create your repeat can be sent. The original vector file may contain transparencies or gradients so that your work stays fully editable. Allowing the buyer to manipulate the image the way they want to. Providing that they have the same native program.
Let’s get compatible
In order to be compatible with all vector editing programs, vector files need to be saved in EPS file format at postscript 3.0.
Before you do that though you’ll need to do a few things to your image.
Important*** Save a new version of your image so none of these changes will effect your original repeat.
Once these steps are done you are ready to save. Follow this sequence when saving in Illustrator. Select “save as” from the file menu then choose “Illustrator EPS” from the format options box, an EPS options box will appear. Then choose Illustrator 8 from the version drop down menu.
Your new EPS file will now have a postscript of 3.0. To check the postscript level, you can open the file in a text editor program like Notepad or Text Edit and check the first line. If it is level 3.1, you will need to adjust your EPS export settings until you can save it as level 3.0.
Something to note is that gradients can be used in Illustrator. Illustrator’s gradients are the only gradients that remain editable in other vector programs. Avoid using gradient mesh. It will transfer with the native program file but will not be very compatible and could affect your sales.
It is preferable, but not mandatory, that your image contains between 5 and 15 colors for print. This applies mostly in the case of fabric printing. In a vector program, if you use only 5 to 15 colors, try to make them the only colors in the swatches palette.
So what am I sending again?
What should I do with these files?
Your images should be in a zipped file along with the thumbnail jpeg. To make a zipped file on a Macintosh, open finder, select all the files that you want to put in the zipped file, and go to file- create archive. To make a zipped file using windows, you will need to use a zip program.
On to Bitmap files
Bitmap images should be saved as a tiff file with no layers, full size at 350dpi resolution. RGB
All repeats need to fit into the repeat size of 25.25 inches on either the width or the height. Any division of 25.25 inches will work (12.625 inches, 8.416inches, 6.2135 inches, 3.156 inches). The image size should be the actual size of the repeating pattern. Each side of the image must line up perfectly with the opposite side. For help, please reference our repeat tutorial.
It is preferable, but not mandatory, that your image contains between 5 and 15 colors for print. This applies mostly in the case of fabric printing. In a bitmap program, if you use only 5 to 15 colors, try to make them the only colors in the swatches palette and index your image to that palette. See Indexed color
When placing the tiff file and preview jpeg in the zipped file, you may also include a file without layers in the native program.
So what am I sending again?
What should I do with these files?
Your images should be in a zipped file along with the thumbnail jpeg. To make a zipped file on a Macintosh, open finder, select all the files that you want to put in the zipped file, and go to file- create archive. To make a zipped file using windows, you will need to use a zip program.
Some more guidelines
Decorative images verses graphic images.
As mentioned before, design work can be very subjective. What one person likes may seem tasteless to another. How many times have you looked at a design and scratched your head thinking, ”how did that sell.” Well we believe that there is a home for everything, an image for all. We also believe that we have an eye for what is decorative and what is graphic, and so will our buyers. They know what they want and how to make it work. Take time to look at designs around you and see if you can find the quirk that makes people want to have it. This could be what makes the selling point for your work.
Originality vs. copycats
As a user of RepeatPatterns.com you are responsible for the originality of your work. Willful violations of copyright are considered a breach of the user agreement. Copying or tracing copyrighted work or images that are not your own, or uploading work that is not your own, will get you banned from the site. We will not be involved in plagiarism, or any infringement of the original holder property rights. This includes copying work that already exists on RepeatPatterns.com. You may not resubmit an exclusively purchased pattern in a different color way for resale. This will also be considered a breach in the agreement and may result in a ban from the site.
Copyright violations and image piracy may also be reported to third parties. Including, but not limited to, original copyright holder of the work in question. Please contact Client Relations with any instances of copyright violation as soon as possible for investigation.