We've already seen examples of how to use two colors within the same pattern, or how to fade a pattern into the background. But what about using the pattern as the background? This can be a little trickier, since you have to make sure that the pattern isn't too dark, too thick, or too busy to distract from the text and illustrations that'll be placed on top of it. It adds depth to the stationery and can end up giving it a great implied texture, so it's often worth the trouble.
If there isn't too much else going on in the stationery design, the pattern in the background can be a little more interesting. In the example below, I used several strips of the pattern (magically made transparent in Illustrator) to layer on top of each other and give an interesting textured and shimmering effect. I also used two patterns, one that alluded to the color of the text, and one that matched the textured cardstock I used as a second background border to the invitation.
The pattern works as a great background to the invitation below because it's so detailed and has so little white space that from far away it almost just looks like a light pink background. Plus, I made sure to print the pattern in a very light pink, so that the dark black text would still be easy to read and differentiate from the background. The lace-like quality of the pattern goes terrifically with the formal-looking font!
Similarly, the pattern works with this save-the-date by being very light-colored in the background, and by keeping the rest of the design very simple and text-based. There are no other pictures or images to clutter up the save-the-date and make either the pattern or the text harder to see. That way, a nice balance is struck between both parts.
Another option is to not use the pattern as the whole background, but just as parts of it, like I did in the invitation below. The pattern is so dense that from far away it just looks like a strip of yellow lace, making it the perfect choice for background imagery. Here, I used a bit of the pattern in a long stripe to subtly highlight the time and place of the baby shower. It only adds to the already gorgeous font, instead of being too busy and distracting from it.
In this final example, I've also included a pastel green vellum overlay, which helps to keep the pattern less obvious. When the vellum is lifted, however, the pattern (which was printed in a light pink to match the envelopes shown in this photograph), no longer neutralized by the complementary green, becomes a more prominent part of the design. It's like a pattern surprise! ;)
I'll post some more next week! :)
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Shameless plug time: Love my patterns? Love these designs? I incorporate them into a lot of the artwork I create, from stationery for Invites by Andrea to the watercolors I paint. Check out Invites by Andrea's website to see examples of these patterns or download a catalogue pdf (coming soon!). Or drop me a line at andrea@invitesbyandrea.com to let me know what you think!
If there isn't too much else going on in the stationery design, the pattern in the background can be a little more interesting. In the example below, I used several strips of the pattern (magically made transparent in Illustrator) to layer on top of each other and give an interesting textured and shimmering effect. I also used two patterns, one that alluded to the color of the text, and one that matched the textured cardstock I used as a second background border to the invitation.
The pattern works as a great background to the invitation below because it's so detailed and has so little white space that from far away it almost just looks like a light pink background. Plus, I made sure to print the pattern in a very light pink, so that the dark black text would still be easy to read and differentiate from the background. The lace-like quality of the pattern goes terrifically with the formal-looking font!
Similarly, the pattern works with this save-the-date by being very light-colored in the background, and by keeping the rest of the design very simple and text-based. There are no other pictures or images to clutter up the save-the-date and make either the pattern or the text harder to see. That way, a nice balance is struck between both parts.
Another option is to not use the pattern as the whole background, but just as parts of it, like I did in the invitation below. The pattern is so dense that from far away it just looks like a strip of yellow lace, making it the perfect choice for background imagery. Here, I used a bit of the pattern in a long stripe to subtly highlight the time and place of the baby shower. It only adds to the already gorgeous font, instead of being too busy and distracting from it.
In this final example, I've also included a pastel green vellum overlay, which helps to keep the pattern less obvious. When the vellum is lifted, however, the pattern (which was printed in a light pink to match the envelopes shown in this photograph), no longer neutralized by the complementary green, becomes a more prominent part of the design. It's like a pattern surprise! ;)
I'll post some more next week! :)
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