We have a new set of seamless vector patterns available exclusively for Vector Plus members. These are great for using in your creative projects, adding some texture to your designs, or to give your artwork a grungy low-fi printed feel. There are numerous printer error patterns in this set. Learn more at the jump!
New Seamless Vector Plus Lo-Fi Textures
This new Vector Plus Pack is created by Sean Hodge. I enjoyed making this set of seamless vector patterns. These are all created in Illustrator to simulate printer errors. I'm sure you've had prints come out with strange characters, random grungy mistakes, or showing the printer rollers in the ink. This set captures that feel and can be used to add some funky texture to your artwork.
There are 15 seamless vector patterns in this pack. The license allows these to be used in your commercial client projects as well, see the download file for details. Below is the set of unique printer error vector patterns, which can be colored any way you choose, as it's all vector (EPS format)! Note that the images below are scaled and cropped; they are seamless in the Plus download though.
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As you know, we run a premium membership system here called Plus that costs $9 a month (or $22 for 3 months!) which gives members access to the Source files for tutorials as well as periodic extra tutorials, like this one! If you're a Plus member you can log in and download the tutorial. If you're not a member, you can of course join today!
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )stasia July 29th
my eyes hurt a bit…
( )Sean Hodge July 29th
Yah, the designs are black and white, but you can easily change the colors and then overlay them to create optical effects.
( )unadventurer July 29th
when would i ever use this?
( )Sean Hodge July 29th
@unadventuruer – the textures can be used to add a stylized grunge texture to your vector work. You drag the design into your swatches palette and then you can apply it to any shape. It doesn’t matter the size of the shape because the pattern repeats.
You can then use blending effects to add a digital grunge feel to an element. It’s similar to scanning in a texture to add a worn feel to your work, only these are vector.
( )Diego SA July 29th
haha! Cool!
( )Rodney July 29th
Sean are you bringing ps textures into ai and then doing a trace? I wonder if there is an old tut that explains how to make grunge vector patterns.
( )Sean Hodge July 29th
@Rodney, no I didn’t actually do it that way. I wanted them to be seamless, so I felt the workflow would be easier to build it up shape by shape to control the pattern. I didn’t actually work from scans, but rather just imagined what they would look like. Also, I remember some printer errors I’ve seen when working in a digital printshop in the past.
But yah, you can create a texture in PS, either from a scan, photo, or something else, and then apply Live Trace to the image in Illustrator. Feel free to drop a link in here if you come across any relevant tuts on this subject, whether they are old or recent, as it may help others.
Some of the steps in this tutorial http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/how-to-create-a-spray-grunge-splatter/ where helpful for creating multiple shapes to work with quickly when building patterns. In the tut a spray pattern is created, but you can create many types of textures this way. And by manually copying, creating, and moving shapes as well.
One thing to be mindful of though is the file size, as your using many shapes, so that means loads of points, and the file size can increase really fast. I use Object > Path > Simplify on many of the shapes to keep the file size down.
This tutorial is also really helpful to understand how to make free flowing seamless patterns http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/designing/how-to-make-a-foolproof-flowery-wallpaper-pattern/
Let me know if any other questions come up. Thx!
( )Cheryl July 30th
Sean, I can’t find the download link. I sign on to my Plus account, and then what?
( )Sean Hodge July 31st
@Cheryl – It’s in the Bonus Tutorials Section. Go to the Vectortuts+ area, but means of the top drop-down menu. Then underneath the Vectortuts+ logo are the “Source Files” for the blog tutorials. Under the “Bonus Tutorials” is all the Plus material. Let me know if any more issues.
Also, this is a new file, so it’s currently at the top, but folder older material the search works great too. Thx.
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