Patterns and textures are great for inspiration and kickstarting designs, so we’ve put together a post of essential links to bookmark. You can use these free patterns and textures in Photoshop and various other design programs.
Don’t forget to check the licences/terms and conditions before using these resources.
Patterns
If you’re not familiar with using Photoshop patterns, check out this complete guide.
Instant Shift: The ultimate list of sources for free background patterns
CreativeNerds: 45 sets of seamless vector patterns
Smashing Magazine: The ultimate collection of free Photoshop patterns
Designm.ag: 2000 Photoshop patterns
1stwebdesigner Photoshop Patterns
50 extremely beautiful Photoshop patterns for elegant designs
Obsidian Dawn Patterns
Designm.ag: 650 free Photoshop patterns
DJ Designer Lab: Beautiful free Photoshop patterns for web designers

Re-encoded: Awesome freebies – 500 of the best Photoshop patterns
Designzzz: Free Photoshop pattern sets
Top Design Mag: 45 superb background patterns
Artatm: Amazing collection of Photoshop patterns
Textures
Here’s a quick tutorial on using textures in Photoshop.
Designm.ag: 2000 absolutely free textures
Smashapps: 42 free Photoshop textures
Image After Textures
Design Reviver: 25 great free Photoshop texture packs
Graphic Mania: Breathtaking free Photoshop textures
Abduzeedo: 36 cool free textures
Swimchick Textures
Web Design Fan: 20 excellent free high-quality wood texture sets
There are thousands more links we could have included, so let us know your favourites in the comments!






Thanks Jenni, I already have the majority of these bookmarked. I was actually going to create a one-page list like this on my own site XD
You have saved me the time lol 🙂
(PS: the CAPTCHA won’t refresh in my browser using Firefox 3.6.15 – it simply returns me to the top of page)
Keith
No problem Keith, great minds think alike eh?!
Thanks for reporting it, I’ve passed it on 🙂
Jenni
Hi Keith,
that should be working now. It was just a bit of a disagreement between our theme and the plugin. 🙂