Pattern design - different all the time and how to prepare for printing?

[maaiked35572313]

Hello all,
I am creating a pattern design; when I click object > pattern and create the pattern, it looks the way it looks... Then I fix it the way that I am satisfied with the design... make the gaps a bit smaller and so. 
When I save is, the grid closes and I only have my one artboard on the screen. When I make the pattern again, it comes out totally different, with again a load of gaps. 

What I would like is to make several patterns based on the same theme (change colors and so) and then make it ready for print on a large roll of paper. How do I fix this? How do I make sure it comes out the same way all the time? And how do I finalize the file for printing correctly like the grid-view?

Thank you!

[Monika Gause]

Could you perhaps post screenshots od what's happening?

After creating the pattern you need to apply it to a shape using the swatches panel.

If you want to produce different colors, then you could use the Recolor Artwork feature to change colors in an exiosting pattern.

[maaiked35572313]

Thank you. I did not know about the recolor artwork feature for this.
As mentioned below... the next step would be to create a printable file that will repeat itself (should be printed on fabric many meters on a roll). How do I do that correctly?
Thanks for your answer.

[Ton Frederiks]

I am not sure I understand your problem.

You create a pattern using the pattern maker, when it looks ok, you click Done to create the pattern swatch.

When you create a rectangle and fill it with this pattern, does it look different than you expected?

[maaiked35572313]

What I mean is that when I go back to the original artwork, the create pattern option results in different outcomes everytime. I would expect it to be the same all the time. 
When I close the gaps, as shown below and I close the pattern view, next time I make a pattern out of it, I have gaps somewhere else. Was expecting it to be correct once I fixed it. Apperantly it will only stay the same as a swatch.


Next step would be to create a printable file from this... so the parts that are cut off, should be shown on the other edge from where they were cut of on the first edge. Is there a proper way to do this, other than apply the swatch to some background and try to crop this artwork on the right place and see if it turns out OK? Have been searching the internet for it, but could not find it. 

[Ton Frederiks]

If you double click the pattern swatch in the Swatches panel, you should get the same as when you created it.

If you want a single pattern tile, drag the pattern swatch out of the Swatches panel an use the bottom rectangle to set the size of the artboard.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @maaiked35572313,

Thanks for reaching out. I hope the suggestions shared by Monika and Ton helped answer your queries.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anubhav