How to scale Patterns in Photoshop

The last tutorial was about scaling patterns in Illustrator. Since I’ve got some emails asking of how to scale patterns in Photoshop CS3 today I want to show you a simple way. I try to make it really easy and will explain each step so that you’re going to have fun with it.

1. Create a new document and add a new layer right above.

2. At the bottom of the Layers palette you find “Add a layer style”.

3. Choose “Pattern Overlay”

4. A new window opens showing the options for this layer style. In the center you find your patterns. Click on the arrow at the right to open your pattern palette.

5. Here you find the patterns that you defined in your pattern palette. Choose the pattern you want to fill the layer with.

6. For now let’s forget about the other options. When you click OK the window closes but you won’t see the fill at once. Choose the Paint Bucket Tool and click into the layer. By default the layer will be filled with a pattern size of 100%.

7. Double click the “Pattern Overlay” in the layers menu to open the options again. With the preview turned on you can scale down the pattern size and watch the result immediately. Just look at the pattern in the document, here it is scaled down to 50%.

8. You achieve best results with scales of 50%, 25%, 10% and below. Play around with other options like blend mode or opacity. In the end it’s all about learning by doing.

9. Here you see the final result. A scaled pattern can look completely different. Happy scaling!

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16 Responses to “How to scale Patterns in Photoshop”

1. Beth says:

   January 24, 2013 at 5:54 pm

   Excellent tutorial!! Thank you so much :)
2. Sabine says:

   February 28, 2012 at 1:22 pm

   You’re welcome, Marie!
3. Sabine says:

   February 28, 2012 at 1:21 pm

   :-)
4. Patricia says:

   February 20, 2012 at 2:47 pm

   Wow! Thank you so very much! You saved my school project :D
5. Marie Delisle Holmberg says:

   February 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm

   Thank you very much. I was using only illustrator for patterns and adding photoshop options is very exciting. Great, cheers!
6. Sabine says:

   December 16, 2011 at 6:30 pm

   You’re welcome, Heather!
7. Heather says:

   December 8, 2011 at 3:18 am

   Thank you! You made it so easy.
8. ebee says:

   November 16, 2011 at 2:43 pm

   LOVE IT, IT HAS BEEN SOOOO HELPFUL THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!! <3
9. Sabine says:

   October 28, 2011 at 9:20 am

   Thanks Molly, glad it helped you!
10. molly says:

    October 27, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    thankyou great tip! has helped heaps
11. Sabine says:

    March 30, 2011 at 7:07 am

    Thank you so much, Patanisca!
12. Patanisca says:

    March 29, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    Thanks a lot for sharing your beautiful work and tips!! Your website is really amazing! Thank you again.
13. Sabine says:

    February 24, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    Hi Kristen,
    You achieve best results with scales of 50%, 25%, 10% and below.
14. kristen says:

    February 24, 2011 at 3:31 am

    When I adjust the scale of the pattern fill, the pattern looks distorted and unclear. Can this be fixed?
15. Sabine says:

    March 19, 2010 at 9:06 am

    Hi, the easiest way to rotate a pattern 90 degrees is to rotate it before you define it as a pattern. Open your pattern, go to Image > Image Rotation > 90 ° CW, then go to Edit > Define Pattern.
16. seffilis says:

    March 19, 2010 at 7:18 am

    nice share.

    but how about rotating a pattern? I was working with applying pattern, but I want the pattern to be rotated 90 degree CW, and I didn’t find how.

    thank you