upload guide for designers
Hello, designer! This guide is your starting point for correct uploads and to ensure your designs are ready for licensing! Here you'll find all the information about accepted formats, minimum dimensions, layer organization, and color variation submissions. We also explain what can and cannot be used in creating artwork. Following these guidelines is essential for your uploads to be approved more quickly and, most importantly, to ensure a good customer experience with the files!
Minimum Requirements
Pay attention to some of our requirements before uploading your design!
Minimum Size
PNG 2000x2000 px
PSD 3500x3500 px
Resolution
300 DPI
pixels/inch
Color Mode
RGB
Layers
Maximum of 20 layers in the PSD file
Files
PNG or JPEG + corresponding PSD of the same design
Click here to check all file submission requirements.
Tips and Recommendations for a Successful Upload
Design Title and Description
Use keywords related to the visual elements of your design in both the title and description. This increases your chances of being found in searches.
It’s also recommended to describe how the layers are organized in the file so the customer knows exactly what to expect when opening the PSD.
Exclusive Designs
Commercial patterns have the advantage of being licensed multiple times, expanding their reach. However, many clients value exclusivity and seek a unique design just for them. On our platform, there’s a growing demand for exclusive designs: an excellent opportunity to stand out!
Trends
Categories like Floral, Conversationals, and Tropical receive a lot of attention from our clients, who value prints with Brazilian identity and strong visual presence.
My design was not accepted. How can I fix it?
If one of your designs is rejected, don’t worry! It’s common at first, until you get used to the platform’s requirements. In most cases, you can fix the issues pointed out and resubmit the design. The only exception is feedback with the message “does not fit what we’re currently looking for in the catalog.”
Below is a list of the most common rejection reasons, explained in detail, to help you better understand the necessary adjustments and increase your chances of approval on future submissions.
Does not fit what we’re currently looking for in our collection
Your artwork does not meet the commercial requirements our clients are currently seeking. We recommend revising the design, including elements such as color palette, composition, and overall appeal, or waiting for upcoming trends before submitting it again. Repeated submissions: Designs that are submitted multiple times without addressing the issues previously pointed out may receive this same feedback. You are welcome to resubmit previously rejected designs, as long as the necessary corrections have been made beforehand.
Technical Specifications
Your upload may have been rejected for one of the following reasons: ⮕ Insufficient dimensions: The .PNG/.JPEG or .PSD file does not meet the required minimum size — 2000 x 2000 pixels for PNG/JPEG files and 3500 x 3500 pixels for PSD files. ⮕ Inadequate resolution: The file’s resolution is below the required minimum of 300 dpi. ⮕ Incorrect unit setting: The file is set to pixels per centimeter, whereas the accepted standard is pixels per inch (ppi).
Rapport Issues
Your upload may have been rejected for one of the following reasons: ⮕ Misaligned rapport: Design elements are not properly aligned at the tile edges, disrupting the seamless repeat. ⮕ Clipped or truncated motifs: Some motifs are unintentionally cut off, resulting in incomplete visuals that compromise the pattern's integrity. ⮕ Seam lines or ghosting: Visible lines (white or colored) along the repeat edges, often caused by improper tile assembly or scaling, leading to undesired seams in the final print.
Pattern Tile Issues
Your upload may have been rejected for one or more of the following reasons: ⮕ Elements outside the active canvas area: Parts of the design extend beyond the repeat tile boundaries (outside the raport module). ⮕ Non-commercial rapport techniques: Use of unconventional repeat methods that compromise the pattern’s seamless repetition or market appeal. ⮕ Pattern preview saved in file: The artwork was saved with Pattern Preview enabled in Photoshop. Always disable this feature before saving. ⮕ Unnecessary layers in the .PSD file: Excess layers make the file disorganized and harder to interpret. ⮕ All layers turned off (hidden files): Ensure all relevant layers are visible before saving your file. ⮕ The file must contain only the rapport tile: Do not include repeated versions of the pattern within the file. Submit only the single repeat unit.
Finishing or Artwork Quality Issues
Your upload may have been rejected for one or more of the following reasons: ⮕ Unrefined elements or background artifacts: The design contains visible background remnants or lacks the expected level of cleanup and refinement. ⮕ Pixelated or low-resolution elements: Parts of the pattern appear blurry, pixelated, or lack the image quality required for professional textile printing.
Layer Requirements / Single-Layer Files
The submitted .PSD file must contain a minimum of 2 layers (typically one for design elements and one for the background color) and a maximum of 20 layers. Exceptions for single-layer designs will be accepted at the discretion of the review team, usually in cases where the technique used does not allow for layer separation, such as textures and marbled patterns. In such cases, it is mandatory to indicate this during upload and in the design description using the phrase: "single-layer pattern". Designs submitted as single-layer files without proper indication will also be rejected under this guideline.
Non-Rasterized Fonts
You may include text, letters, and words in the designs you submit, provided that: a) You have commercial usage rights for the font; b) You use a custom font or hand-drawn lettering; c) You rasterize the text before submission.
Stock images
Your upload may have been rejected for one of the following reasons: ⮕ Misuse of stock images: It is not allowed to submit designs that use images from stock image sources. ⮕ Use of public domain or artificial intelligence (AI) content not indicated in the upload form and the design description. ⮕ Misuse of third-party content or copyrighted material.
Duplicate Submission
Your upload may have been rejected for one of the following reasons: ⮕ Duplicate file submitted. ⮕ Variants of the same design submitted in separate uploads. All variants should be included in the same upload.
Color Difference Between PNG/JPEG and PSD Files
The colors displayed in the two files are different. One file may be more saturated than the other, which can create incorrect expectations for the client regarding the final product. To avoid discrepancies in delivery, we recommend that both versions of the design have exactly the same shade. Some tips to correct this issue: ✔ Use the sRGB color profile and maintain the same profile across all files (not just the color mode). ✔ Pay attention to designs created in Procreate, as the tool's default color profile differs. To avoid color differences between the PNG/JPEG and PSD files, we recommend exporting the PNG/JPEG file directly from Photoshop, not from Procreate.
Incompatible Description with the Design
The description of the design contains elements that do not match the uploaded design, such as references to techniques or textures not visible in the design preview, or descriptions of technical specifications that differ from the file submitted.
Requirements for Uploading Designs
Please review all the detailed requirements necessary for uploading your design to our collection.
1. Upload
To submit your design, visit: www.patternarium.com.br/account/upload
You must be a collaborator designer to access this page, meaning you need to have been invited or have your application approved.
You must upload at least one .PNG/JPEG file and one .PSD file corresponding to the same design.
Upload only one design at a time. Do not submit different designs in the same upload.
Color variations should be submitted within the same upload (see section 6).
2. File Names
We recommend using the same name for both the PNG/JPEG file and the PSD file.
3. Technical Specifications: File Size
The .PNG/JPEG file must be up to 25 MB.
The .PSD file must be up to 1 GB.
Check the size in Photoshop or by hovering over the file in a folder. Files larger than the limit will have a red icon and an exclamation mark. Reduce the size while maintaining 300dpi and try again.
4. Technical Specifications: Dimensions and Resolution
a) The .PNG/JPEG file must have a minimum dimension of 2000x2000 pixels and a resolution of 300dpi.
b) The .PSD file must have a minimum dimension of 3500x3500 pixels and a resolution of 300dpi.
If your .PNG/JPEG file is too large to upload, you can reduce the file size as long as the minimum dimension and 300dpi resolution are maintained.
Note:
Upload files with pixel per inch units. Files in pixel per centimeter will be rejected.
Files with a resolution lower than 300dpi will be rejected.
5. Color Mode
All files must be in RGB color mode.
Check for visual differences between the PNG/JPEG and PSD files. Files with differences in color, element position, or other aspects will be rejected (except in cases of intentional color variations, as described in section 6).
6. Color Variations
It is allowed to submit color variants of the same design, as long as:
a) all variants are within the same upload;
b) the .PSD file contains the grouped and organized color variations;
c) the maximum limit of 20 layers is respected;
d) each variation has its respective PNG/JPEG file.
Important:
Do not submit variations in separate uploads. Mockups should not be uploaded in the section reserved for variants.
7. Layers and Organization
The open .PSD file must contain:
a) at least 2 layers: one for the elements and one for the background (except for exceptions evaluated by the team);
b) no more than 20 layers (groups do not count as layers, but adjustment layers and solid colors do).
Best practices:
Do not add artificial layers just to meet the minimum requirement.
Organize the file by eliminating unnecessary layers.
Group color variations. For background color variations, create a layer for each.
Rename layers or maintain a logical order (avoid layers named like "Layer 32 copy 4").
8. Public Domain, AI, or Third Parties
You can use elements from the public domain or generated by artificial intelligence, as long as:
a) you indicate the use of public domain and/or AI in the upload (check box) and in the design description (write it out in full);
b) ensure the legality of using public domain elements (as outlined in the Terms and Conditions);
c) you have licensed the commercial use of AI-generated images;
d) you choose the non-exclusive (commercial) license for the design. Designs with public domain and/or AI elements cannot be licensed exclusively on our platform.
Notes:
Do not submit designs that use images from image banks. Even freely usable files may be actively tied to third-party copyright. Therefore, the use of such elements in our collection is strictly prohibited, regardless of the license.
If, for any reason, a design with this type of content is approved, the designer will be fully responsible for any legal consequences.
Do not use characters, excerpts from works, or any third-party material protected by copyright.
If using artificial intelligence, we recommend generating the elements separately and assembling the design manually instead of creating the final composition directly via AI.
9. Text in Designs
You can include text, letters, and words in your submitted designs, provided that:
a) you have commercial rights to the font;
b) you use your own font or hand-drawn letter;
c) you rasterize the text before submission.
Notes:
Designs with unrasterized text will not be accepted.
Do not include watermarks, logos, links, or @ in the submitted designs.
Best practices:
Avoid using the word "print" or "pattern" in the title of the design.
Avoid using ALL CAPS unless necessary.
Titles and layers can be in Portuguese or English (ensure correct spelling).
10. File Format: Vector Files Not Accepted at This Time
Currently, we do not accept vector files.
Do not mention Illustrator (or the word "vector") in your design description or title, as this could lead to misunderstandings. If you used Illustrator during the process but finalized the design in Photoshop, you do not need to mention the program.
Designs that mention vector software in the description or title will be rejected.
We will notify designers once we begin accepting vector files (.ai).
11. Duplicate Submissions
If a designer submits the same design more than once, with identical or different information, only the first upload will be considered. Duplicate submissions will be discarded without email notification.
12. Backup and Responsibility
Please keep backups of your files. Patternarium is not responsible for returning or resubmitting files after the upload.
About Our Review Process:
If your design is rejected for a single reason (e.g., incorrect resolution), this does not mean that other criteria were approved. The review process stops once an error is identified. Therefore, even if the feedback mentions only one issue, there may be other points that were not verified due to the order of our review process.
We receive a high volume of uploads daily, so it is not possible to review additional items after finding an initial error. It is the designer’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements in this guide are met before submission.
If you need help correcting your design, we suggest seeking guidance from teachers, mentors, or online tutorials.
Please note that our team does not make adjustments to the files submitted by designers, except for watermark application and mockup visualization on the website. Therefore, even if the file requires a simple fix, the design will be rejected and must be resubmitted with the necessary adjustments if you want it available on the platform.
It is crucial for the designer to follow the upload rules carefully. These requirements ensure the technical quality of the files, facilitate their use, and contribute to customer satisfaction.
We hope this guide helps you better understand the requirements for submitting designs and our review process. We look forward to receiving your creations!
Last updated: 22-04-2025