How to Make a Halftone Pattern in Photoshop

Halftone is a technique that simulates a gradient of shades with a limited number of tones—traditionally, black and white. Although it was created as a result of the limitations of print media, a halftone pattern effect can be also used on purpose, to make the image more interesting. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create a halftone texture in Photoshop using three different methods.

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube Channel:

Looking for halftone patterns and halftone brush resources? Why not check out this resource list:

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  Photoshop Actions
  
  
  42 Best Halftone Actions, Patterns, Brushes, and More! (for Photoshop and Illustrator)
  
  
  Melody Nieves

Want to save time, check out this awesome Halftone Photoshop Action from Envato Elements. With a variety of different halftone styles and patterns, you can give your graphics and photos the halftone print style you're looking for in seconds.

1. How to Create a Halftone Pattern, Method 1

Step 1

Go to Filter > Filter Gallery. Go to the Sketch tab and find Halftone Pattern.

Step 2

Here, you can adjust the settings to achieve the look of a halftone effect.

Step 3

This method is the easiest and it provides a real-time preview, but the dots are blurry and the effect is not really convincing. To make it sharper, you can add a Threshold adjustment.

Step 4

Adjust the Threshold Level to get the contrast you need.

2. How to Make a Halftone Pattern, Method 2

Step 1

Go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.

Step 2

Go to Filter > Pixelate > Color Halftone. Change the Channel values to 0. Set the Radius—this will be the maximum size of the dots in your pattern.

This effect is quick and natural, but because it doesn't provide a preview, it may require a few takes to get the result you want.

3. How to Create a Halftone Pattern, Method 3

Step 1

Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale. Click Discard.

Step 2

Go to Image > Mode > Bitmap. Set the Resolution to the current one or higher. For the Method, select Halftone Screen.

Step 3

The Frequency controls the density of the dots. The Angle affects the direction of the rows of dots. You can also use shapes other than dots for your halftone pattern.

4. How to Make a Colorful Halftone Pattern

Step 1

If you want to colorize your halftone pattern in Photoshop, just go to Image > Mode and change the mode to something with colors.

Then take the Gradient Tool (G), pick a colorful gradient, and change its mode to Screen.

Step 2

Drag the tool over the canvas to colorize the pattern.

Halftone Pattern Actions

Colorful Halftone Photoshop Actions

As you can see, it's quite easy to create a halftone pattern in Photoshop. But if you want to make it a little more interesting, you can do it with special actions from Envato Elements. For example, this action applies a halftone effect to your image, and it adds multiple color effects that you can choose from. There are a few actions in the set, each with different-sized dots.

Pinhole Halftone Photoshop Actions

This set contains multiple actions with a variety of halftone pattern effects, all in black and white. You can run them one by one to pick the effect that you like the most. It's fast and easy!

Dot Grid Photoshop Actions

This action is a modification of a traditional halftone pattern. It creates an artistic effect that keeps the colors intact. You can choose between various dot sizes, as well as between two dot styles: fixed and variable.

Good Job!

Now you know how to create a halftone texture in Photoshop. If you're interested in halftone patterns, you may enjoy our other tutorials as well:

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