How to Make Micro Patterns in Photoshop

Micro patterns are small textures created at the base pixel level in a program that supports bitmaps such as Adobe Photoshop. The benefit of this method is that you can create extremely small and seamless patterns to use in print media graphics, Web site backgrounds, software interfaces or on fabric textures used in 2D and 3D applications. This How to Make Micro Patterns in Photoshop tutorial will walk you through the process while providing several examples.

Although this article was written with Photoshop in mind, any bitmap image editor can create pixel based micro patterns. You can even use the default paint program that comes with every computer. All skill levels can handle this how to which should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to finish if you do all the samples.

For really small or simple patterns, you may not need to create a grid with guide lines. However, they are critical when working on complex ones.

1. Create a new document by typing Ctrl+N.
2. Set the width and height to 4 pixels and give the file a white background.
3. Zoom in to 1600% by holding down Ctrl and tapping the + key until the image is maxed out.
4. Place a guide line along each 1 x 1 pixel square. To get a guide, click and drag from the ruler around your image. There will be a blue line that you can now place. You should have three vertical and three horizontal guides now.

This is the most time consuming part of making a micro pattern especially if you are working with a rather large one. Despite taking a long time, it is pretty manageable. Simply, fill in the pixels that match the graph of your pattern.

1. Use Shift + Ctrl + N to add a new layer. Name it diagonal.
2. Activate the rectangular marquee tool with the M shortcut.
3. Drag a 1 x 1 pixel square in the lower left corner. The guides will help show you how many pixels you are selecting.
4. Fill the pixel with black.
5. Refer to the image below and fill in the rest of the black squares.

Now, you've reached the satisfying step. All that is left to do is turn the image into a pattern tile and fill your new document with it.

1. Select the whole image with Ctrl + A then go to Edit -> Define Pattern. Name it diagonal.
2. Save the pixel file and close it.
3. Create a new document.
4. Set the width and height to 300 pixels and give the file a white background.
5. Using the gradient tool, fill the background with a black to white transition. This tool can be accessed with the shortcut G.
6. Change the mode on the tool to difference then make a few short horizontal drags. This layer will represent a cloth texture you can blend with your micro pattern.
7. Add a new layer and call it diagonalMicro.
8. Fill it with your pattern. Pick Edit -> Fill. Then, choose the one you just made..
9. Now, just change the layer blend mode to Overlay, Darken or Multiply depending on the effect you want. Blend modes are located in the top left corner of the layer window.

1. Be careful not to make your units too big otherwise you will have jagged edges instead of a smooth pattern once it's tiled.

2. Make sure you only use symmetrical patterns so that they tile properly when you use them later.

3. If you are planning out a complex pattern, try using graph paper to sketch it out first. This is especially helpful when trying to enlarge or shrink a textile weave that you have found.

4. Visit Handweaving.net or German Weaving Patterns to discover 1000's of textiles that can be translated into micro patterns.