Secrets for Using Patterned Papers for Backgrounds: Part 1

How often do you use patterned papers as your background?

A few years ago, I would have had to answer “not often.”  As time has gone on, however, I have grown to love using patterned papers as backgrounds on my layouts.  Using patterned papers as your backgrounds is not an easy thing to pull off, though.  There are some definite secrets that make using patterned papers easier, and more appealing to the eye.  Throughout the month, I’ll share with you the secrets I have uncovered and will have you creating beautiful layouts with patterned paper backgrounds in no time!

Secret No.1 : You’ve got to choose the right paper

I know, it sounds silly and basic, but the first thing I’ve learned about using patterned papers is that some are great for backgrounds, and some just aren’t.  It’s important to make sure you are picking the right paper so that you can work the rest of the layout around it.  When you are picking your patterned paper for your background, there are three things you really need to consider:

1. Size of the Pattern – Generally, patterned papers can be put into two categories based on their size…either small or big.  Either size CAN work for a background, however, it’s more likely that a paper with a small pattern will be easier to work with.  When you work with a smaller pattern, it’s less likely that the pattern of the paper will overpower the other elements of the layout.  Large patterns can work, and be stunning when they do, but it means that the rest of the layout really needs to be simple.
2. Color – I’m not talking about picking between red and blue, but instead checking how the colors work on the layout.  Pattern papers can come in two forms: full color, using more than one color or tone on tone, which is different shades of one color.  Personally, I love using tone on tone pattern papers as solids.  With these, I am able to get a pattern on the background, but the colors are not competing with the other elements of the layout.
3. Harmony with Your Photo – It’s important when you’re picking a paper to consider the photo you are planning on using.  In most cases, you want to make sure that the photo stays the star of the layout.  It’s very easy to overpower your photos with your paper choice, so I often pull the options I have for backgrounds onto the layout with the picture and start comparing them until I decide which one I like best.

Each of these tips are great separately, but it’s when you start combining them that the magic in paper choice happens.  Let’s look at some examples I have put together recently and see why I chose what I chose.

For this layout, Together, I really wanted to use this bold heart background. Because the background is so large and colorful, I worked to make everything else on the page pretty simple. Balance helps the pattern from seeming overwhelming.

On How Sweet, I wanted to use a “tone on tone” style of patterned paper. To achieve this effect, I blended a patterned paper with a solid to created a more subtle patterned paper to use for the background.

On Adjust, I used a larger black and white photo for the layout. I chose a black patterned paper to complement my photo and make the purples really pop. I also used a brush to dull out a little bit of the pattern so my title would really pop.

I hope these tips help you create great layouts with patterned paper backgrounds. I’ll be back next week with another secret!