Repeating patterns tile size - getting same sizes on different products

[Lango]

Hi there, I create geometric repeating patterns (outside of Zazzle), and I save a png which is a single tile of the "pattern" design, which I then use the tile function in zazzle to repeat..  I have been creating products fine, but I have just realised I may be doing this wrong.  What I want is for the repeat of my original tile to be the same size repeat on all products (I am currently trying to get  a lamp, pillow and duvet cover to have the same size repeat. (so that if you put those products next to each other the pattern is the same size)  So, I have been uploading my png single tile and using the design tool to set "tiling" "basic" to the same tile size in each product.  But, I have just realised that the repeat on a duvet cover, is not the same as the repeat on the lamp (when you consider the size in inches of the products), even though the tiling size is set as the same. Anyone know what I may be doing wrong?!  If I were buying a set of matching products for say a bedroom I would want the pattern to be the same sizing.  Appreciate any thoughts, thanks very much! x  

[Sara_H]

@Lango 

A lamp, pillow and duvet cover are all different sizes physically and it's never going to be exact

Look at the dimensions

Lamp = 7” (diameter), 9.25” (height).
Pillow = 16” x 16”
Twin duvet cover 88"l x 68"w

It's all about the math

I would start with the pillow filled with a single tile pattern (you know it will be 16 x 16 ) then use that size on the duvet tiled  x 5.5 across  (88 /16 ) then for the lamp just fill the area with the same artwork that you used for the pillow and position it so it looks good (or reduce the tile size across the space so it makes sense)

Personally I would just eyeball all three to sort of match and call it. (but that's just me 😂)

[Lango]

@Sara_H Hi Sara, many thanks for your reply!  I think it was you who helped me on my last question, so very much appreciated for helping again! 😊 

I went back into the products I had already done, and saw that the lamp and pillow had saved my tiling as 1.16 x 1.16, and I thought the duvet had done the same, but it hadn't and was at 4.4 which was the minimum it would allow me to go.  So, I have done as you suggested above (thank you) and that worked well.  My problem I have is my design!  I want the tile size to be 1 in x 1 in, as I want the overall look to be subtle and a small repeat.  So, the pillow, I have roughly 16 of the attached  1" tile x 16 (pic attached).  The  lamp 20 x 7 or whatever that one is, etc. 

So, the duvet cover needs roughly 90 x 90 of my 1" tiles .  So the image Zazzle provides for that (attached) doesn't show my design as it's too large and just looks like a grey duvet cover.  So, I figure the only thing I can do is to create a magnified media image to use (as also attached) .  So, like I say, the problem I have is how i want the duvet to look and the size of the repeat.  I think I will just have to decide if I want to go down this route and set aside quite a bit of time to them!!  Thanks again Sara for your assistance!  Best wishes  Karen  

[Sara_H]

@Lango You'll get there. And adding a cover photo that shows the design close up is crucial (like you said - it just looks grey)  Though I would post a pillow with the design not tiled - just loud and proud! and then do a bedding set with a bigger tile for those that love big bold patterns - and maybe png it so you can change the colour. So many options. Have fun!

[Lango · Accepted solution]

@sara Good idea to do a different sizing for those who like bolder patterns (must stop doing things that are my taste only 😂) Yes new colour options too!  Not enough hours in the day.  Store only been visible for just over a month or so, and no takers yet on anything and I kind of lost heart, but, I know I have to keep plugging away at it.  Trying to get myself trained up on promoting on Pinterest and Facebook at the same time - not enough spare hours in the day !!  Thanks again Sara, enjoy the rest of your weekend x

[Sara_H]

@Lango it can take time to get those elusive sales. Keep creating and filling up your store and have faith! It'll will happen. Don't get too overwhelmed with everything that needs doing. Make a daily list and tick things off as you do them. And just pick one platform where your target audience is and be the best at either pinning or facebooking. If you Instagram, set up as a business account and arrange that your posts go directly to your facebook business page at the same time (one less thing to think about) Have fun!

[Polenth]

There are a number of products where you can't go too small on the tile size, but you can get around that by having your image be more than one repeat of the pattern. Six inch tiles usually work fine on things. So you'd repeat that little pattern six times in a square, upload that, then set the tile repeat to six inches. But visually, it'll look like a one inch repeat.

[Lango]

@Polenth Sorry for late reply!!  Thanks for this.  Very useful to know that it might not just be large duvet cover that this happens on.  Also I think that the way you worded your reply will help me retain that in my head - I am rubbish at maths 😂 

Thanks again and also thanks again to @Sara_H .  It's so great to know I can get answers to the things I get stuck on and drive me nuts 🥜 😊 Take care x

[genebrown10]

Hey Lango,  I think you are doing what you should.  Weeks ago, I contacted zazzle support and tech regarding the repeat tool.  Every repeat file I upload, defaulted at 1 inch by 1 inch.  The work around is to increase the pattern size using the tool and keep the ratio intact.  Last time I used it, we cannot, as yet, input the actual repeat dimensions.

[KC]

I wish there was an easy way to do this, like having a ruler we can turn on and off while designing. : )

[LuciFinch]

Or, if gridlines could actually double-function as a ruler! This would be most helpful. Where can we post this suggestion to Zazzle management? I'm struggling with the same exact problem that Lango posted about -- matching the size of a pattern on two different products. It's near impossible. And the products are rather expensive, so I want to get it right in an effort to prevent returns. If I were a customer who ordered a duvet and matching pillow cases for instance, and the pattern on my pillow cases was three times larger than it is on the duvet cover, I'd return both products and buy a set somewhere else.