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Tips on how to make a plaid sample in Illustrator

April 30, 2025 5:42 pm   Graphic Designing   Poetic   Comments

All the time needed to be taught methods to make a plaid design, however by no means knew precisely the place to start out? Right here, we’ll stroll you thru all the course of in Adobe Illustrator. You will learn to make a plaid sample in Illustrator so that you could grasp the look that was made well-liked by the film Clueless.

Tips on how to make a plaid sample in Illustrator

Assuming you have already got the software program up and working, let’s soar straight into it! Here is how to attract a plaid sample that is stylish and funky.

Step 1

As with each new venture, we’re going to start out by organising a brand new doc. Head over to File > New or use the Management-N keyboard shortcut, which can convey up the New Doc window immediate.

Right here, we’ll wish to set our Profile to Net, ensuring to outline each the Width and Peak of our Artboard to 400 px, after which merely hit OK as soon as we’re achieved.

How do you draw a plaid pattern: setting up a new documentHow do you draw a plaid pattern: setting up a new documentHow do you draw a plaid pattern: setting up a new document

Step 2

As quickly as we’ve completed organising our venture file, we will begin engaged on the precise tile, or in different phrases the repeating sample phase, by creating its background utilizing a 400 x 400 px sq., which we’ll coloration utilizing a light-weight yellow, extra precisely #FFD62C, ensuring to place it within the heart of the Artboard afterwards.

How do you draw a plaid pattern: create the pattern in IllustratorHow do you draw a plaid pattern: create the pattern in IllustratorHow do you draw a plaid pattern: create the pattern in Illustrator

Step 3

Subsequent, we’re going to create a smaller 32 x 32 px sq., which we’ll heart align to the Artboard after which flip right into a information by merely right-clicking after which utilizing the Make Guides possibility, ensuring to lock it afterwards (right-click > Lock Guides).

Whereas fundamental, this little information will come in useful on the subject of the method of positioning our composing shapes.

How do you draw a plaid pattern: adding the square guideHow do you draw a plaid pattern: adding the square guideHow do you draw a plaid pattern: adding the square guide

Step 4

With the information in place, we will begin engaged on the lighter shapes by making a 400 x 16 px rectangle, which we’ll coloration utilizing white (#FFFFFF) after which place on the information’s higher edge, ensuring to decrease its Opacity stage afterwards to about 48%.

How to draw a plaid pattern: creating the main shape for the lighter sectionHow to draw a plaid pattern: creating the main shape for the lighter sectionHow to draw a plaid pattern: creating the main shape for the lighter section

Step 5

Create the primary form for the smaller diagonal strains utilizing a 4 x 16 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we’ll place within the heart of the Artboard’s left edge.

How to draw a plaid pattern: creating the main shape for the diagonal linesHow to draw a plaid pattern: creating the main shape for the diagonal linesHow to draw a plaid pattern: creating the main shape for the diagonal lines

Step 6

Alter the form by deciding on its high anchor factors utilizing the Direct Choice Instrument (A) after which pushing them to the surface by 8 px utilizing the directional arrow keys.

How to make a plaid pattern: adjusting the shape of the smaller detail lineHow to make a plaid pattern: adjusting the shape of the smaller detail lineHow to make a plaid pattern: adjusting the shape of the smaller detail line

Step 7

Add the remaining strains by creating an preliminary copy utilizing the click-and-drag technique, positioning it 4 px from the unique, after which merely duplicating the motion utilizing the Management-D keyboard shortcut, till you attain the opposite finish of the Artboard.

When you’re achieved, choose and group all of the strains collectively utilizing the Management-G keyboard shortcut, ensuring to decrease their Opacity stage to 64%.

How to make a plaid pattern: add the remaining linesHow to make a plaid pattern: add the remaining linesHow to make a plaid pattern: add the remaining lines

Step 8

Since we’re just about achieved engaged on the lighter shapes, we will create a replica utilizing the click-and-drag technique, which we’ll align to the underside fringe of our information.

How to create a plaid drawing: adding the second row of diagonal linesHow to create a plaid drawing: adding the second row of diagonal linesHow to create a plaid drawing: adding the second row of diagonal lines

Step 9

With the copy in place, we will add the interior darker form utilizing a 400 x 16 px rectangle, which we’ll coloration utilizing black (#000000), ensuring to decrease its Opacity stage to 24%.

How to create a plaid drawing: adding the center darker shapeHow to create a plaid drawing: adding the center darker shapeHow to create a plaid drawing: adding the center darker shape

Step 10

Add the outer darker shapes utilizing two copies of the one which we’ve simply created, which we’ll alter by rising their Opacity to 64%.

How to create a plaid texture: adding the darker outer sectionsHow to create a plaid texture: adding the darker outer sectionsHow to create a plaid texture: adding the darker outer sections

Step 11

As quickly as we’ve completed engaged on the horizontal part of our design, we will shortly add the vertical one by creating a replica of it (Management-C > Management-F), which we’ll then rotate (R) utilizing a 90° angle, ensuring to pick out and produce the entire darker shapes to the entrance (proper click on > Prepare > Convey to Entrance) in order that they’ll find yourself overlapping appropriately.

How to create a plaid texture: adding the vertical section of the pattern designHow to create a plaid texture: adding the vertical section of the pattern designHow to create a plaid texture: adding the vertical section of the pattern design

Step 12

Since we’re just about achieved engaged on the precise tile, we will now choose (Management-A) and group (Management-G) all of its composing shapes collectively, after which masks them utilizing a replica of the background.

To do that, first paste the background copy in entrance, and after deciding on each it and the grouped shapes, merely right-click after which use the Make Clipping Masks possibility.

How to create a simple plaid pattern: repeat pattern in IllustratorHow to create a simple plaid pattern: repeat pattern in IllustratorHow to create a simple plaid pattern: repeat pattern in Illustrator

Step 13

All we now have to do now with the intention to flip our design right into a sample is go to Object > Sample > Make, which can convey up the Sample Choices window immediate.

Right here, we’ll wish to give our new sample a customized title, after which as soon as we’ve made certain that the Tile Sort is about to Grid, we’ll wish to allow the Measurement Tile to Artwork possibility, leaving all the opposite settings as they’re.

As soon as we’re prepared, we will click on on Executed, which as you’ll be able to see will add the sample with a plaid design to our Swatches panel.

How to create a simple plaid pattern: make the pattern in IllustratorHow to create a simple plaid pattern: make the pattern in IllustratorHow to create a simple plaid pattern: make the pattern in Illustrator

Step 14

To make use of it, all we now have to do is choose the Rectangle Instrument (M), after which as soon as we’ve assigned the brand new sample as our Fill, we will click on and drag till we get the specified form and measurement.

Example of using the custom patternExample of using the custom patternExample of using the custom pattern

Good job creating your plaid drawing in Illustrator!

Congrats! Now you realize methods to make a plaid sample in lower than 15 straightforward steps. Here is the ultimate model of our easy sample with a plaid design:

simple plaid pattern finishedsimple plaid pattern finishedsimple plaid pattern finished

5 wonderful Illustrator patterns from Envato

If you wish to create a plaid drawing very quickly or strive completely different plaid textures, take a look at Envato. Listed below are 5 nice plaid patterns designed by professionals that you’re going to discover on Envato:

1. Conventional Houndstooth Seamless Patterns (AI, EPS, AFDESIGN)

Traditional houndstooth plaid texture patternsTraditional houndstooth plaid texture patternsTraditional houndstooth plaid texture patterns

These vector plaid textures are perfect for any vogue venture. Make samples to your subsequent design or use them for digital content material creation. There are three completely different plaid drawing recordsdata you’ll be able to work with.

2. Set 5 Seamless Tartan Patterns (AI, EPS, JPG, PNG, PSD, SVG)

Set of five seamless tartan plaid texturesSet of five seamless tartan plaid texturesSet of five seamless tartan plaid textures

Even when you understand how to attract a plaid sample, you too can develop your choices with nice bundles like this one. It gives 5 completely different seamless patterns with a plaid design. The recordsdata are vectorized and conveniently layered.

3. Blue Plaid Seamless Patterns (AI, EPS, JPG, PDF)

2 blue simple plaid pattern designs2 blue simple plaid pattern designs2 blue simple plaid pattern designs

If you happen to’re searching for a basic, easy plaid sample, you will love this duo. Design blue prints with these layered vector recordsdata. You too can modify the colours in Illustrator.

4. Seamless Plaid Patterns (AI, EPS, JPG)

Plaid Seamless PatternsPlaid Seamless PatternsPlaid Seamless Patterns

This can be a must-have set of patterns with a plaid design. There are six in coloration and 6 in black and white. The featured types embrace houndstooth, madras, tartan, windowpane, and extra plaid drawings.

5. Vector Tartan Seamless Patterns (EPS, JPG)

10 vector tartan seamless patterns10 vector tartan seamless patterns10 vector tartan seamless patterns

With ten vector patterns to select from, this set is a superb obtain. You will get many colours and plaid sample drawings, which you’ll play with utilizing Adobe Illustrator.

Answering all of your questions on plaid patterns!

Even now that you realize all about methods to make a plaid design, you should still surprise about this iconic sample. To place them to relaxation, listed below are a couple of solutions to your most urgent plaid sample drawing questions.

1. What is the distinction between tartan vs. plaid?

The query about tartan vs. plaid is a typical one. However you must surprise no extra! Plaid is a common time period for the checkered, crisscrossing sample of vertical and horizontal stripes. Tartan is the precise woven material sample linked with Scottish tradition. Principally, you’ll be able to say that every one tartans are plaid, however not all plaids are tartan.

2. What are some frequent errors when making a sample with a plaid design?

Upon creating your sample with a plaid design, chances are you’ll discover that it isn’t trying fairly proper. To be sure to get it good every time, keep away from these frequent errors:

  • Mistaken scale: Outsized plaids can overwhelm a design, whereas tiny ones might not have sufficient visible influence.

  • Unaligned patterns: Improperly aligned plaid patterns can look messy and unprofessional.

  • Poor coloration decisions: Some plaid mixtures can look outdated or unbalanced if the colours don’t complement one another. Use coloration idea to discover a soothing combo.

A plaid sample drawing is basic and versatile. What’s extra, it is culturally wealthy. Because of it being embraced throughout completely different teams at completely different occasions, it stays related and current. Scottish kilts, punks, lumberjacks, and extra have worn it. It may be informal, formal, rebellious or elegant relying on the event. Furthermore, it is a straightforward sample that is immediately recognizable and provides only a contact of visible curiosity with out being overwhelming.

Watch and learn to create a plaid sample!

Wish to watch step-by-step video directions on methods to create a plaid sample? Comply with together with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

Additional develop your pattern-building expertise!

We went by way of the steps on methods to make a plaid sample. Really feel like studying extra? Try these tutorials to maintain you going for the next days.

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