I was recently asked how I created the fabric swatches for my collection’s mood board, so I did this tutorial. You can buy my fabric template here for $2.
Step 1 – Open the SWATCH_TEMPLATE.PSD File in your Photoshop. Click the layer “DROP IMAGE HERE“.
Step 2 – Select your image file, and drag the file into Photoshop. It will automatically place your image into the layer and into the template. The white outline of the swatch should be hiding your fabric image. Be sure to press ENTER on your keyboard, to confirm your fabric placement. It won’t let you do anything else until you do so.
Another way – DROP your pattern image into the LAYER PANEL just above the DROP IMAGE HERE layer. Hover your mouse over between your pattern layer and DROP IMAGE HERE layer, and CLICK ALT. A white box and an arrow pointing down icon appears, this will merge your fabric with the swatch template.
Step 3 – Depending on your fabric file size, you readjust it to fit the swatch template by draining and moving the corner’s boxes.
You can also resize with the the tool bar on the top. Be sure your file is in “FREE TRANSFORM” (COMMAND + T) mode, because the bar won’t show up until so. I usually scale mine to width from 100% to 110%, and height 100% to 110%. Hit ENTER, or the check mark icon on the right side on the bar then “PLACE” on the pop up to confirm it.
You’re all done! Save your new fabric swatch, and start using it.
