How to Make a Basic Repeat in Procreate | Set Your Canvas Up As A Template

Follow along with the below step by step instructions for how to create a basic repeat pattern in Procreate.

This article is a companion to the below YouTube tutorial.

Step 1 – Set up the canvas into quadrants

  • Create new layer
  • Add a color (any color)
  • Select the Transform tool, and make sure Magnet & Snapping are turned on.
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  • Pull layer to the top left corner (quadrant one)
  • Select Selections tool
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  • Tap Save + Load
  • Tap +, you have just created the first quadrant
  • Tap Transform tool
  • Move the colored square to the next quadrant and repeat until you have added each quadrant to the Save + Load
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Step 2 – Create Your Template. 

  • Go back to your Procreate Gallery
  • Make a copy of the canvas
  • Title is “Basic Repeat Template” or whatever you would like.
  • Now you have your template ready
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Step 3 – Create Your Pattern

  • Select back to the canvas. Now we are ready to start creating our pattern.
  • Set a background color layer, add a new layer, draw shapes/add CF images.
  • Select all layers and group them. Select the group and tap the Selections button – if you get an error message you will need to select each layer instead of the group. I haven’t figured out why this error message comes up, if you know please let me know!
  • Select Save + Load, Select quadrant 1, select the Transform tool, select Flip Vertical, and Flip Horizontal. Select the transform tool to deselect the Transform tool. 
  • Repeat for quadrants 2-4.
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  • Flip your canvas around if you like, and center the elements to give them a seamless look. 
  • Tweak as you like jumping back and forth.
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Step 4 – Test out the pattern:

  • Select the top layer.
  • Tools
  • Copy Canvas, Paste
  • Drag layer by the corner to half size.
  • Duplicate layer
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See the yellow guide lines in the center, on the left edge, and on the bottom showing that your image is lined up perfectly.
  • Pull to one corner – Make sure you see the yellow lines when lining up the boxes and don’t tap anywhere on the screen or you’ll cause the image to nudge in that direction and no longer be lined up with the edges of the canvas.
  • Repeat twice to fill the space
  • Merge the half size layers
  • Check repeat
  • Make any fixes to the original layer group below.

Once you’ve got the hang of the basic repeat, be sure to check out my other video on how to do a half-drop repeat here.

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Tessa is currently based out of Montreal, QC Canada with eyes set on a move across the globe in the near future. She has a passion for learning and building online streams of income and is striving for the digital nomad life.

Tessa has experience in finance, as she worked in the film industry in the accounting department for 10 years.

Tessa loves traveling and creating art and is busy soaking up everything she can to make her a better artist.