How to make a repeat pattern swatch in Adobe Illustrator:
- Assemble your motifs into a pattern.
- Select the pattern and go to Object > Pattern > Make.
- Adjust the motifs in your pattern as needed.
- Adjust the size of your pattern as needed.
- Go the Swatches panel where your pattern has been saved and click on it.
- Select and draw a shape which will now be filled with your pattern swatch.
TIPS:
- Your motifs can be contained to the or overlapped as in the tutorial.
- Experiment with the tile type options: Grid (standard repeat), Brick by Row, Brick by Column (half drop repeat), Hex by Column and Hex by Row.
- Name your pattern so you can stay organised.
- Sometimes Illustrator can add faint lines into your repeat. These should not print but it’s always best to do a test.
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