Pattern base colour in photoshop for surface pattern designers
Do you know how to easily change the base colour of your patterns in Photoshop?
It’s really easy and a lot of fun, I cant wait to show you my favourite way to do this!
I am going to show you my favourite was to choose a base colour for your patters/design in photoshop. It's lots of fun and way better than using the paint bucket to fill the layer
Create fresh colorways and shift the mood of your designs with one simple edit
Looking to make your pattern more versatile or appeal to different customers? One of the easiest ways is to simply change the background colour. This quick Photoshop trick is perfect for creating extra colourways, testing new palettes, and refreshing your designs for Spoonflower, your portfolio, or licensing pitches.
This tutorial is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require complex masking or rework—just a few clicks to transform the vibe of your entire design.
Why Changing the Background Colour Matters
🎯 Helps your design appeal to different target markets
🎨 Makes your pattern feel fresh with minimal effort
🧵 Perfect for building multicolour products on sites like Spoonflower
📁 Easy to offer multiple options to clients or art directors
Small change, big impact!
What You’ll Learn in This Quick Tutorial
In the step-by-step video below, I show you:
How to separate your motif from the background
How to add a new colour fill layer
How to test different background colours to see what works best
How to save and export each colourway version
🎥 Scroll down to watch the full video tutorial.
Tips for Designers
Try light vs dark backgrounds to see how the mood changes
Match background colours to your brand palette or seasonal trends
Always save a layered PSD file so you can make edits later
Use the same motif with 2–3 backgrounds to create an instant mini collection!
Ready to Try It?
Changing your background colour is one of the fastest ways to breathe new life into your artwork—and it's a great step for building confidence with Photoshop too.
👉 Watch the full background colour tutorial video below to get started.
And if you try it, tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see your new colourways!
I would love to know of you find this tutorial helpful and what other topics you would like me to cover in upcoming free tutorials.
You can join my free facebook group here where you can check out my other free tutorials and meet a supportive artist community.
