How to Use Digital Patterns to Make Custom Paper in Silhouette Studio

You know what I love to do in Silhouette Studio? I love to use digi scrapbook paper aka digital patterns to make custom papers.  It's perfect for those times when you need just a small piece of a patterned paper and you don't want to run to the store or you can't find exactly what you're looking for.

 
The secret is seamless patterns and the My Patterns folder and you're in luck because right about now I'm going to tell you where to get a whole slew of awesome digital patterns!!

You'll need Silhouette Studio Designer Edition to add custom patterns to your My Patterns library so I encourage you (once again) to grab the one-time paid upgrade.

Alright now you need to find some digi scrapbook paper or patterns.  This month The Hungry Jpeg's December Bundle includes 70 seamless beautiful patterns, along with dozens of fonts and graphics and a whole lot more.  I'll give you a peek at some of the goodies in minute, but I want to focus on the drool-worthy patterns first.  So grab the $29 limited time December Bundle and after you download it go straight for the Graphics > All in All Graphics Pack > Patterns folder.  Within that set you'll find theses 70 patterns...

I bet you see one you like....how about 70? OMG they're all awesome!!

Start by finding a pattern you like and download the PNG version to your computer.  I prefer to save to my desktop so it's easy to find.  For this example, I used Pattern_7 and Pattern 68.

Now, open up Silhouette Studio and click on the Library icon. Within the library you want to click on the My Patterns folder.

At this point you can literally drag and drop the Pattern_7.PNG file into the My Pattern folder.  It may take a second, but the new custom pattern will load and will appear in alphabetical order.

And now you're wondering - Okay, so where do I find them in Silhouette Studio?  The custom patterns can be found by clicking the Fill Patterns tool. When the window opens, scroll down and the custom digi papers in the My Patterns folder are towards the bottom under the default patterns.

All you have to do now is open a shape > select shape > click the pattern thumbnail you wish to have fill the shape.

If you click 'Advanced Options' you'll be able to scale the pattern larger or smaller and pan it to get it just how you want it to appear within the shape.

What I love best about these patterns from The Hungry JPEG is they are seamless....
 
The great thing about seamless patterns is no matter how small you scale the pattern - 5% above - you won't get those lines like you do with some other custom fills (18% below).   

Also - you can trace portions of the pattern to make accent pieces like I did for the ax and branch on my gift cards.  If the trace picks up unwanted areas around the shape you're going for > right click > release compound path > delete unwanted areas.

Use the fill color picker to match the color.

Then you simply do a print and cut and you've created your own custom scrapbook paper!

(Pssst...the glitter polka dot digi patterns are part of one of the freebie sets offered by The Hungry JPEG!)


I mean how cute are these custom gift card holders?   I'll be sharing the free cut file with you just in time for Christmas so be on the lookout!

And not that all the digital patterns in this month's bundle from The Hungry JPEG aren't worth it enough - but look what else is included in The December Bundle! There are 30 fonts and more than 1500 graphic elements. And of course you get all the commercial licenses included and all for just $29. Ya can't beat it!

 I could go on and on and on but you get the point...hop on over to grab The December Bundle before it expires at the end of the month!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine! 
  
Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!

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