PHOTOSHOP WORKFLOWS
A practical halftone Photoshop workflow.
Photo filter, single-ink screen or reusable pattern? Choose your task and leave with a method, the right settings, and usable PNG materials.
PHOTOSHOP / Photo filter
Color Halftone for a photograph
Use the native filter when you want screened color channels. Work on a duplicate or a Smart Object so you can keep the original.
- 01
Open a photo in Photoshop. Duplicate the layer, then choose Filter > Convert for Smart Filters if you want a reversible filter.
- 02
Choose Filter > Pixelate > Color Halftone.
- 03
Set Max. Radius to control the largest dot. Start around 4–12 pixels for a modest image, then judge at 100% zoom. Larger files may need a larger radius.
- 04
Set the screen angle for each channel. Different angles make rosette-like color screens; matching angles can align the channels. Preview the result rather than assuming the online tool uses the same algorithm.
- 05
Adjust the Smart Filter settings, or undo and retry on the duplicate. Keep an editable PSD before exporting.
What the controls mean
Max. Radius controls the largest halftone dot, not center-to-center pitch. Channel angles control orientation. These are native Photoshop settings; our online dots are a separate vector workflow.
PHOTOSHOP / Monochrome screen
A one-bit screen with controlled frequency
Bitmap > Halftone Screen makes a black-and-white raster screen. It is useful for understanding frequency and angle; conversion changes the color mode.
- 01
Duplicate the document to preserve your layered color original. Convert the copy with Image > Mode > Grayscale; flatten the copy if Photoshop requires it.
- 02
Choose Image > Mode > Bitmap. Set Output resolution deliberately; use Halftone Screen as the conversion method.
- 03
In Halftone Screen, set Frequency (lines per inch), Angle and Shape. For example, 30 lpi at 300 ppi produces about 10 pixels between screen cells before rotation.
- 04
Inspect at 100% zoom. Change frequency or output resolution if fine details disappear or dots merge.
- 05
Save a copy in a format that supports your chosen mode. To composite a PNG, convert the working copy back to Grayscale/RGB and export; retain your original PSD.
What the controls mean
Frequency is measured in lpi; output resolution is ppi. Approximate cell pitch in pixels = output ppi ÷ frequency lpi. This is distinct from a dot diameter. Printer settings still need separate production checks.
PHOTOSHOP / Repeating pattern
Define a PNG tile as a Photoshop pattern
Use an actual seamless tile when you want a reusable background. Download one below and define it as a native Photoshop pattern.
- 01
Download a seamless PNG tile below and open that PNG in Photoshop at its original pixel dimensions.
- 02
Choose Select > All. If using the Rectangular Marquee tool instead, set Feather to 0 px before selecting the complete tile.
- 03
Choose Edit > Define Pattern. Name the pattern and confirm. This creates a pattern in Photoshop from the PNG; the downloaded file itself is not a PAT preset.
- 04
Return to your composition. Choose Layer > New Fill Layer > Pattern and select your newly defined pattern.
- 05
Adjust Scale in the Pattern Fill dialog and inspect the repeat at 100% zoom. Save the layered PSD so you can change the pattern and scale later.
What the controls mean
Native pixel size determines the repeat size at 100% scale. Scale changes the size of the whole tile; it does not add detail to a PNG. Transparency remains available for layering over color.
Ready to define.
Eight original seamless PNG tiles · 512 × 512 px · transparent ink · edit patterns online
Everyday dots ↓
Offset dots ↓
Diagonal screen ↓
Fine rule ↓
Periodic wave ↓
Pixel paper ↓
Diamond weave ↓
Big offset ↓These downloads are PNG tiles and a written guide. Native PAT / ATN files are not included. Instructions follow Adobe documentation; desktop Photoshop execution has not been verified in this release. Online effects use their own rendering algorithm.
Edit a tile before defining it in Photoshop ↗