Fashion Portfolio: Print Repeats

So, What we're going to talk about today isn't necessarily spinsterly, but it does have something to do with my spinster life in that it has to do with my life as a fashion designer. That, and I've noticed that a lot of my referring search terms have been fashion-related. So...give the people what they want, right?

We've talked before about sample fashion portfolios, including the creative parts. However, my personal portfolio also includes a technical section. Having prints and patterns in a fashion portfolio isn't totally necessary, but it's a definite benefit. So, if you want to create your own prints and/or patterns for your portfolio and you don't know how yet, just google it and watch a youtube video. Take some notes, and after a few tries, you'll probably have it down.

Now, in the creative portion of  your portfolio, include the prints and patterns you've created to go with your collection and your color story. If you're creating prints you should consider including a stripe, a plaid, a geometric print of some sort, an abstract and maybe a floral and/or conversational. Of course, it all sort of depends on the look of the collection your'e going for. For today's examples, I did two conversationals and a stripe because I wanted the prints to be spinster themed and stripes are just...stripes.

The first print you'll see here is a chocolate bar print, and it's fairly rudimentary and not perfectly spaced. however, if you click on the image, you'll see all the information you should add when you have this print in your "technical" portfolio. So, let's break it down.

1. Print Title:
          Just...whatever you would call the print. When you're actually working in real life, each company has a way they like to title their prints. There's usually some sort of coding or numeration so that there's a way to reference the print exactly when discussing with factories and vendors.

2. Color Chips:
          These are one of the very most important pieces of information on this paperwork. The color chips should call out every single color in the print and should not exceed 8 colors. I don't know if I've ever worked anywhere that could have more than 8 colors, but I have definitely worked places where certain vendors could not execute more than five colors. Just stick to 8 or under just to be safe.
          Once you've chipped out the colors (they should be colors from the palette you designated in your project), add the names of the colors under each chip. In your real job, you'll also put the color code (most often Pantone numbers) beneath the color chip and color name.

3. Hash Marks:
          Hopefully you know how to find a print repeat, but if you don't, check this out and see if it makes sense. Otherwise, youtube videos are always your friend.
          However, the hash marks are important to show where the print does, in fact repeat. The most important thing here is to make sure they don't blend in with the rest of the print. Common colors for hash marks are black, white, red, and cyan.
         
4. Print Repeat Measurements:
          Exact Measurements of length and width of the print repeat are important. This is easily measured in Illustrator, photoshop or with a ruler.

5. With a stripe:
          Firstly, I am not sure why the background of my stripe repeat is so grey. That is strange. Now, you could just show a stripe like the print with hash marks, but the thing is that stripes are really only a one way repeat. So, I usually just mark the repeat off to the side, and then I show the measurements of each stripe on the other side. Then, of course at the top you have all the other information.

And Voila! You've got some pretty cool stuff to put in your portfolio! You may work in a company that has a CAD or "art" department eventually, but if you're like me, you'll also have a job (or two) somewhere where you do your own prints. Graphics we shall save for another time!