400+ of the Best Free Photoshop Patterns for Designers

Photoshop users can save a lot of time and create beautiful designs by using patterns. Photoshop’s presets (like brushes, styles, patterns, custom shapes, and gradients) are highly-powerful tools when used effectively.

Whether you are creating your own custom patterns or using pre-made Photoshop patterns that you’ve downloaded for free or purchased, having an arsenal of patterns at your disposal will allow you to quickly create high-quality work. Patterns can be extremely useful for a variety of different types of design including websites, business cards, flyers, posters, and much more.

Patterns are often used as backgrounds. Sometimes more subtle patterns are used to give a background some texture or character as opposed to just using a flat, solid color.

In this post, we’ll showcase over 50 sets of free Photoshop patterns for your own use. I think you will find them to be highly useful for quickly giving great effects to your designs in Photoshop.

And if you like free  resources, please see our post on free SVG pattern generators.

Free Photoshop Patterns

Most of the resources featured here will come in .pat format, which is the file format for Photoshop’s pattern presets. These patterns are ready to use right away. Some of the resources come in png or jpg format and if you want to make use of Photoshop’s pattern presets, you’ll need to save these images as patterns. Don’t worry, it’s easy, and we’ll show you how to do it at the end of this article.

Minimal Web Patterns

This collection of 12 patterns will make it easy to add subtle texture to your designs (perfect for backgrounds).

Dark Subtle Patterns

This set of 10 patterns is similar to the previous set, except they are dark instead of light.

Carbon Fibre Patterns

These 4 carbon fibre patterns are also an excellent choice for dark backgrounds, just not quite as subtle as the previous set.

Pixel Patterns

Simple pixel patterns are a great choice when you are looking for a subtle background pattern. Every web design should have some quality pixel patterns in their pattern library. This pack includes 28 dark and light options.

Pixel Patterns

With this collection of 20 patterns, you’ll have access to some nice simple patterns that can be used in many different ways.

Slashes

This pack of 2 patterns is unlike others that you’ll find. They may not be as versatile as some of he more subtle options, but in the right situation, they can be extremely useful.

Presence

This detailed, illustrated pattern features wings and shields.

Dark Spades

This spade shape adds some nice detail and texture that could be effectively used within your own designs.

Bonfire

This unique pattern has somewhat of a fire-inspired look.

Organic Patterns

This set of 3 patterns includes the same design in a few color variations, including the black & white pattern shown below.

Moroccan Flower

Floral patterns are common, but this one has a different look.

What the Hex

Want a geometric pattern that could be used in a bold or subtle way?

Greek and Roman Patterns

This set of 6 patterns includes different shapes and elements inspired by Greek and Roman designs.

Dusk

This unique pattern combines shapes, lines, and color.

Scribbles

This fun pattern is very different than what you’ll find elsewhere.

Double Bubble Dark Pattern

If you like geometric patterns, you’ll love this one.

Donuts

Who doesn’t like donuts? You can easily incorporate donuts of different colors into your designs with the help of this resource.

Y So Serious Light Pattern

Another geometric pattern that could be used in several different ways, including as a subtle background.

Webb Pattern

This one puts an interesting twist on a typical diamond pattern.

Charcoal Demask Patterns

These patterns (set of 2) are awesome for backgrounds, especially when you’re looking for a vintage effect.

Qbkls Pattern

Here is another beautiful geometric pattern that makes an excellent background.

Autumn Leaves

An interesting and colorful set (3 included) that may be appropriate for your fall-inspired designs.

Spiderman Pattern

This pattern has a cool metal effect.

Gears and Cogs

A different option that may serve as an effective background (3 included in the set).

Grid Patterns

Like pixel patterns, grids are also exceptionally useful for web design backgrounds. Here you’ll get 20 grids that give you a wealth of options.

Manga Patterns

These (5 in the set) can also be used to create subtle patterns for backgrounds.

Seamless Distressed Diamond Pattern

This is a fun diamond pattern that will add a touch of grunge to your next design.

Baroque Collection Lite

Stylish repeating baroque patterns (set of 19) can be very useful for vintage designs.

Free Seamless TV Noise Patterns

These 10 patterns are excellent for backgrounds and abstract effects.

Classic Baroque

More baroque patterns (23) are available here.

Simply Floral Patterns

An interesting set of 4 patterns with a sort of abstract floral design.

GrapeVine

Nature-inspired designs can make use of these grapevine patterns (pack of 5).

We Like Striped

This set (30 included) is another option for subtle patterns to be used by web designers.

Textured Stripes

A simple striped pattern can be extremely useful, and this set (6 included) takes a slight variation by adding some texture.

Dotted Patterns

Dots can be subtle or more dominant, depending on the contrast between the dots and the background. This set of 29 patterns will give you plenty of choices.

Hand-Drawn Scrolls

An intricate, hand-drawn style pattern.

Ornate Swirls

Swirls always seem to be useful.

GPlay Pattern

This playful triangle pattern features different shades of gray.

Plaid Patterns

If you’re looking to replicate a plaid pattern, this set (3 included) can make it very easy.

Simple Geometric Pattern Set

This pattern created with triangles comes in 3 different color variations, including black & white.

Geometric Links

A pattern with interesting geometric shapes that is sure to play tricks on your eyes (3 variations).

Handmade Paper Pattern Set

Another set of 7 paper patterns, including several colorful options.

Grunge Patterns

A set of very rough and grungy repeating textures (9 in the pack).

Waves Pattern

Fun and abstract waves pattern for your projects.

Ground Texture Patterns

A variety of different textures are used in this set of 15 patterns.

Tread Plates Patterns

Metal patterns are always great for backgrounds, and this set includes 8 nice tread plate patterns.

Light Rock Patterns

More textured patterns (8) in this set.

Honeycomb Patterns

This pattern set (5 variations) is useful for creating your own abstract backgrounds.

Metal Mesh Patterns

More metal patterns (14) for awesome backgrounds.

Mottled Painted Floral Patterns

These 16 patterns are reminiscent of bright, colorful, wallpaper patterns, blotchy paint, or dress fabric.

Vector Patterns

A set of 12 patterns made with various vector shapes.

Paper Pattern 2.0

A beautiful, repeating paper texture pattern.

Scanlines Patterns

21 subtle scanline patterns that can be used on top of your photos.

Dark Metal Grid Patterns

A great choice when you need a dark metal background (8 in the pack).

Light Metal Grid Patterns

The same thing, just in a lighter version.

Softly Plaidly

A beautiful set of 11 plaid patterns.

Geometric Escher Pattern

This pattern was inspired by M.C. Escher and comes with 3 versions in the free download.

How to Create a Photoshop Pattern Preset

If you’ve downloaded one of the files that comes in JPG or PNG format but does not come with a .pat file for Photoshop, you can easily save the pattern as a preset.

First, one the image in Photoshop.

Next, go to Edit > Define Pattern, which will allow you to save the image as a pattern preset. Enter a name for the pattern and click “save”.

Now you have a pattern preset that can be used at any time. To use it, select the paint bucket tool, select “pattern” in the top toolbar, and then choose the pattern that you’ve just saved. Now when you use the paint bucket it will apply the pattern instead of a color.

Frequently Asked Questions

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