As a surface pattern designer, my work is all about visuals, and Pinterest is one of the most powerful platforms for getting visual work discovered. Unlike Instagram, where posts often vanish in 24–48 hours, Pinterest pins can continue bringing you traffic and exposure for months (even years). Here’s how you can use it strategically to get your designs in front of the right people.
🌟 Why Pinterest Works for Surface Designers
Pinterest is a visual search engine (not just social media). People come here looking for inspiration, products, and artwork.
Pins show up in search results when people type keywords like “floral patterns,” “wallpaper design,” “modern textile prints.”
Your patterns can be pinned and re-pinned, giving your designs a much longer life span than an Instagram post.
🌟 Steps to Get Your Designs Seen on Pinterest
1. Create Pin-Friendly Images
Show your patterns in mockups (on fabric, phone cases, notebooks, home décor).
Use tall images (1000 x 1500 px) since they perform best.
Add text overlays (like “Modern Floral Pattern Collection” or “Holiday Surface Design Ideas”).
2. Use Keywords Everywhere
Think of Pinterest like Google. Use searchable keywords in:
Your pin titles (“Hand-Drawn Botanical Pattern Collection”)
Your descriptions (“Perfect for textiles, gift wrap, and wallpaper — this pattern design brings a modern take on classic florals.”)
Your boards (“Surface Pattern Collections,” “Holiday Patterns,” “Art Licensing Portfolio”).
3. Share More Than Just Finished Art
People love the behind-the-scenes:
Sketches → finished patterns.
Process videos or step-by-step images.
Color palette inspiration boards.
This builds connection and makes your work more shareable.
4. Link Every Pin Back to Your Website
Always link your pins to:
Your portfolio site
A blog post (like this one!)
Your shop if you sell products
This turns casual browsers into potential buyers or licensing clients.
5. Pin Consistently
Aim for 3–5 pins per week (you can schedule with tools like Tailwind).
Mix your own designs with inspirational pins that reflect your style.
🌟 Bonus: Use Pinterest Trends
Pinterest has a free tool called Pinterest Trends where you can see what people are searching for seasonally (ex: “holiday wrapping paper” spikes in October/November). Align your pattern pins with those trends to get discovered at the right time.
✨ Final Thoughts
Pinterest is more than just a pretty mood board, it’s a discovery engine. By showing your surface pattern designs in real-life applications, optimizing for keywords, and linking back to your portfolio, you can get your work seen by art directors, clients, and customers who are already searching for inspiration.
Start small, stay consistent, and let Pinterest work in the background to spread your art further than you thought possible.