How to design a pattern in a rectangular canvas

Why a square pattern tile isn't the only option!

Creating a pattern in a square canvas is the standard format, and what we all learn first in surface pattern design.

But it might surprise you to know that a square canvas isn't the only option and using a rectangular canvas can actually create some flexibility in your compositions.

Why would you use a rectangular canvas?

A rectangular canvas is useful for designs that have longer or taller motifs. You can spot the rectangular pattern block in the wallpaper pattern below. In a square canvas I couldn’t have created such a tall frame for this flower.

The pattern I created below consists of a very simple rectangular block print shape and creating this in a rectangular canvas allowed me to preserve the elongated shape of the motif without making it square and boxy,

How do you create a pattern in a rectangular canvas in Procreate?

The good news is that creating a repeat in a rectangular canvas works in exactly the same way as if you were using a square canvas.

You simply create your canvas and set the dimensions for a rectangle, rather than a square and then create your repeat using your normal method.

One of the simplest ways to create a pattern is using a layout template and you can make your own diamond layout template in a rectangle by turning on quadrant repeat and creating a diamond for yourself to design in. This works the same way as it does in a square canvas.

If you haven’t used this method of creating patterns before, I’d suggest you download this free guide where I explain how to do it in a square canvas, and then once you’re up to speed you can come back here and apply it to a rectangular canvas!

Getting round the Procreate glitches

I’ve always found that Procreate can be a little bit glitchy when making a repeat in a rectangular canvas. The snapping and magnetics don’t seem to work as smoothly as they do in a square canvas when I am creating the repeat.

In order to get round this I move the dupliated layers to each of the corners in two movements. If I am moving a layer to the top right corner, instead of moving it straight there, I will snap it first straight up to the top, and then in a separate movement snap it to the side. This makes the snapping much more accurate.

It's tricky to explain this in writing so if you're not sure what I mean, check out this youtube short where I demonstrate how I move the duplicated edges to each corner in two movements in a rectangular canvas.

Suggested canvas dimensions:

The dimensions of your rectangular canvas are totally up to you, but in Procreate there is always a balance between how big your canvas is and how many layers you then will have access to.

The dimensions I often use for rectangular canvases are: 10x14 inches at 300 DPI.

Can you upload rectangular patterns to Spoonflower?

Yes you can! If you are creating a pattern to upload to Spoonflower one other thing to note is that the pattern has to be 24 inches across for wallpaper.

This means if you don’t want your pattern to be super small when it comes out on wallpaper it is advisable to make it 12 inches across at 300 DPI (In the upload Spoonflower automatically changes the DPI to 150 meaning if you have created at 300 it will make the pattern twice as big so 12 inches will go to 24 inches. If this is confusing take a look at my post on canvas settings)

So, if it’s for Spoonflower you could make it 12 x 16 inches at 300 DPI (although you won't have loads of layers to work with at these dimensions.)

Going further

In my Trailing Patterns class I go through in detail how to create a trailing pattern in a rectangular canvas, along with two other trailing designs in square canvases. Click the image below to learn more about this class.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below and I'll get back to you!