How to Create a Holiday-Themed Vector Pattern in Adobe Illustrator

We all know that this time of the year includes lots of presents. Most of the time we have to wrap them, and searching for the perfect paper for the occasion can be a hassle. In this tutorial I will show you how to create your own pattern, which you can either print out and use as gift wrapping or use as device wallpaper.

1.Create a New Print Document

We will aim for a simple pattern, so our artboard shouldn’t
be big. Create aNew Document(Control-N)of300 x 300 pxsize. This size should be just fine.

2. Sketch Your Elements

Create a sketch with festive content. Use a lighter shade of
grey—that way it will be easier to trace the elements. Try to keep it simple,
using a few groups of objects.

If you are using a drawing tablet to create the sketch, use
the Paintbrush Tool (B).

If you are using a sketch made outside Illustrator, import it (File > Place).

3. Trace Your Sketches

Step 1

We can start tracing the elements of our sketch. We’ll use
the Pen Tool (P), tracing the
bigger parts first and then the smaller ones. Use a black outline and no fill. Try to add fewer anchor points. That way, the lines are crisp and smooth.

Step 2

Delete the sketch. Your traced image should look like this.

Step 3

Let’s move on to the other images that need to be traced.

I encourage you to use a bit more freedom when tracing the elements—try not to follow the sketch 100%. Try to be precise, but it can’t hurt if the anchor
point you set is a few pixels away from the one in the sketch. You can clearly
notice that I did this for this present’s bow.

Step 4

Also, when it comes to the text, follow the sketch loosely.
It will give the text a more cartoonish feel.

Step 5

Just try to have fewer anchor points. Having fewer of them
makes everything smoother and nice.

Step 6

Trace the rest of the objects.At the end, the traced objects should look like this.

Step 7

Remove the sketches. Our objects are outlines and ready for some coloring. Let's do that!

4.Color Your Mini Illustrations

Step 1

I made a selection of seven colors which might be just right
for festive occasions. Feel free to change them with the colors of your choice!

Step 2

Take your time to color the
objects one by one. You can use the Eyedropper
Tool (I) for easier coloring. Using the Selection Tool (V), click on the shape you want to color, and then
select the Eyedropper Tool (I) and
click on the desired color from your palette.

Step 3

Color and group rest of the objects.At this point, your
illustration should look like this.

5.How toCreate the Pattern

Step 1

Now, let’s arrange them in our 300 x 300 px artboard.Try to arrange them so that they fill most of the artboard's surface.

Step 2

Most likely, you will end up having gaps in the design. But
this problem has an easy solution.Let’s draw some details which will fill up the gaps: confetti, ribbons, stars
and hearts, anything festive!

Step 3

We repeat the same process of tracing and coloring. Use the Pen Tool (P)for tracing the objects.

Step 4

And use theEyedropper Tool (I)to quickly color some shapes. Try to stick to a few colors.

Step 5

Now, let’s use these fine details to fill the gaps in our
design.

We are almost done! The design looks quite balanced and
full!

Step 6

Let’s see how it will function as a pattern!Make sure the Swatches panel is opened. If it’s not, go to Window > Swatches.

Select the whole design using
the Selection Tool (V). Drag and drop it in the Swatches panel.

Step 7

The pattern will appear in the Swatches panel as a new swatch. Double click on it to check how it looks when it’s tiled.

Step 8

The Pattern Options
dialog box will open, and you will get a preview of your brand new pattern. If
you feel the need for final changes, now is the time. Try to move some objects and to
achieve the perfect balance in your design.

Also, for easier usage you can name your pattern. In the name field, type New Year’s Pattern.

To exit the Pattern mode, just double click on the empty
canvas or press Escape.

Step 9

To see the pattern in its full glory, create a rectangle
using the Rectangle Tool (M).
Then select the pattern from the Swatches
panel.

Awesome Work, You're Done!

Congrats! You just made a cool festive pattern design for
which you can find many uses: as a desktop or phone wallpaper, or printed as wrapping paper or even a greeting card.You might want to use a product template if you wantto make a preview of your wrapped gift.Your pattern, your rules!