My Spoonflower Journey as a Surface Pattern Designer
When I first heard about Spoonflower, I felt two things at the same time: excitement and fear. Everyone said it was the place for surface pattern designers—a marketplace where your patterns could live on fabric, wallpaper, even home décor.
But then came the part that scared me off: tax forms. For a beginner like me, the word “tax” felt heavy, complicated, and intimidating. I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready. And so I waited. Not days, not weeks—almost a whole year before I dared to sign up.
Looking back, I smile at that version of me. Because when I finally did it, nothing was as scary as I had imagined.
Getting Started Was Simpler Than I Thought
Creating an account, setting up a profile, uploading a design—it all turned out to be straightforward. If you’re thinking about joining, you can simply visit the Spoonflower website and follow their steps. Don’t let the fear of paperwork hold you back like it did for me.
Carrie’s class covers everything from finding trends, using tags effectively, to showcasing patterns with Spoonflower’s free mockups. She shares practical tips for both beginners and experienced designers, no matter what tool you use—Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, or Affinity.
The class also includes a free bundle of trending tags, themes, mockups, and color palettes, plus extra techniques for Illustrator users. Most importantly, Carrie reminds us that while trends change, your unique artistic voice is what truly helps you stand out on Spoonflower.
The Joy of My First Commission
It took a long time before I sold anything. I uploaded patterns, waited, refreshed my account… and nothing happened.
Until one day, it did. My first commission appeared. It wasn’t big in money, but it was big in meaning. That little notification felt like a friend whispering: “See? It’s possible.”
That first sale became the seed of hope. It made me believe that Spoonflower could be worth the effort, and it gave me the push to keep going.
Proofs, Shipping, and the Early Struggles
When I joined, Spoonflower had a rule: before selling, you had to order a proof swatch of your design. Living far away, that was tough. The shipping costs were high, the waiting was long, and honestly, I lost money in those first months just to get designs approved.
But things have changed for the better. Today, you don’t need a proof to start selling. I’m so glad for new designers—because this small change removes a big barrier.
Two Paths to Selling on Spoonflower
With time, I realized there are two ways to grow on Spoonflower:
Quantity – Upload a lot, use thoughtful tags and descriptions, and increase your chances of being found.
Quality – Be intentional with fewer designs, and take part in Spoonflower Design Challenges.
Personally, I lean toward the second path. I’ll admit—I’m usually lazy about adding tags 😅 and I don’t upload too often. Challenges give me the push I need, with prompts that spark new ideas. Even when I don’t win, my designs still get exposure, and that alone makes it worthwhile.
What Spoonflower Taught Me
Spoonflower isn’t a place for overnight success. It’s a place for patience, for showing up again and again, even when sales don’t happen right away.
It taught me that:
Paperwork isn’t as scary as it looks.
Sometimes you lose money at the start, but every lesson is worth something.
And most importantly, joy can live in the smallest notifications—like that first commission.
Because at the heart of it, this isn’t just about selling. It’s about connection. Somewhere out there, someone has a pillow, or a wall, or a piece of fabric with my pattern on it. That thought still amazes me.
✨ Spoonflower isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a journey. A journey of courage, patience, and little moments that remind you why you started. If you’ve been waiting, like I once did, don’t wait too long. Take that first step. You’ll learn, you’ll grow, and one day, you’ll smile at your own beginning too.
