White Border in pattern

[rachelb59742437]

Hello! 

I use Illustrator to create repeat patterns for surface design. For some reason I am now getting wide white borders in my patterns. I've tried to create multiple patterns now using different artboards and with compeletly new motifs, so I know the individual motifs are not the issue, nor is the artboard/file. Screenshot attached of my most recent attempt with new vectorized motifs and a brand new file/artboard. Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks!

Rachel

[Monika Gause]

Copy the pink square and paste behind. Apply Fill and stroke of none. Make sure it's behind all the objects. Then drag everything including the invisible square into the swatches panel.

[rachelb59742437]

Hi Monika! That is what I always do, and what I have done over and over attempting to troubleshoot. I included the pop out menu in my screenshot showing the bottom "invisible" layer selected and with no stroke and fill. Do you see anything on there that might be preventing that usual workflow from happening as it is supposed to? Thanks! 

[Monika Gause]

That bottom rectangle has some appearance applied. Check it out in the Appearance panel and delete that.

[rachelb59742437]

Hmm I opened the Appearance panel but it looks like no stroke no fill to me. Am I missing something here? Thank you!! Screnshot attached. 

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

The target symbol in the layers panel shows that something must be applied. Just click on the delete appearance button in the Appearance panel and it should be gone and the target symbol should change.

[rachelb59742437]

Thank you so much Monika!!!

[Monika Gause]

Glad you could solve it!

[Ton Frederiks]

I see an invisible background rectangle. Did you also try the pattern maker (Object > Pattern > Make)? 

[rachelb59742437]

Hi Ton,

The background rectangle is supposed to be invisible. I haven't tried the Pattern Tool because I normally do more intricate patterns than this that the Pattern Tool doesn't work well on, so I am hoping to figure out this pattern making method. Thank you though!

[Ton Frederiks]

Your method should work also.

Try to reset the background rectangle appearance by typing D while selected and fill and stroke again with none (now you got 2 fills)

[rachelb59742437]

Ooh I will try that as well!