Creating backgrounds with Patterns in Photoshop

Often designs need a background to fill space behind navigation or other page elements. Here one way to create them.

Using patterns

Using custom patterns is a great way to fill large areas. Open up a new document of 12 x 12 and select the pencil tool. Draw a pattern that will repeat. Here’s the one that I’ve drawn.

Pattern in Photoshop
Pattern in Photoshop

To convert it to a pattern go to Edit > Define Pattern. Now create a new document that will be used to create the background. I’ve created mine at 500 x 300. Create a new layer with a solid fill. My colour here is #ff0099.

Building the background

Now right click on the layer and choose “Blending Options”. You will see the Layer style dialogue come up. Click Pattern Overlay. In the middle you will be able to click and select the pattern you have just added. Change the blend mode at the top to Overlay. You can play with the Opacity and Scale if you like too.

Pattern Overlay in Photoshop
Pattern Overlay in Photoshop

Then click on the Gradient Overlay option. Select the standard Black to White Gradient and choose Screen for Blend Mode. Play with the opacity until you are happy. I stopped at 57%.

Gradient Overlay for the background
Gradient Overlay for the background

Within a couple of minutes you can quickly build up a background that stands out from a standard solid fill.

Final Background
Final Background

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Can you help make this article better? You can edit it here and send me a pull request.

See Also