Bohemian Prints: The Power of Borders and How to Perfect Them

Words by Lyndsay, Head Designer

We get it. You’ve spent hours painting beautiful elements and crafting a stunning flow for your fabric design—surely that’s enough? While you can stop here, taking just a little extra time to add a detailed border is so worth it. Borders can elevate both the aesthetic and saleability of your fabric print.

A gorgeous print can stand on its own, but adding a border (or three) gives your customer more freedom to use the artwork on their product. Read on for my top 5 tips on how to use borders to take your fabric designs to the next level.

1. The Aesthetic Impact

Straight up—borders look great. They add personality and create focal points at the hem, sleeve, or flounces of a garment. A well-placed border anchors the main print, offering contrast and giving the eyes breathing room. Without it, a busy print can feel overwhelming.

Not sure where to start? Look at runway designs and your favorite brands for inspiration.Traditional designs, like paisleys and Jacobeans, often feature borders at the bottom for a classic, polished look.

Above clockwise: Zimmerman, Longina Phillips Designs print for Monte and Lou, Mille and vintage.

2. Adding Value for the Customer

Happy customers—that’s the goal. Offering designs with production-ready borders saves your clients time and gives them more versatility. A design with a border can be used in different placements, making it more adaptable for various products. Print-savvy teams may even rework your artwork into an entire collection of coordinating prints.

Having pre-made borders sets your work apart and makes your customers’ jobs easier, which can lead to more repeat business.

Wondering exactly how to put a border design into repeat? We dedicate a lesson to this in Module 3 of The Complete Repeat Course for Surface Designers.

3. Creative Satisfaction

As a senior designer, I’ve spent countless hours creating prints like Paisleys and Jacobeans. The designs I’m most proud of all have borders, and they look fantastic on garments. There’s something creatively satisfying about getting the most from the motifs you’ve spent so much time crafting. These prints feel more "finished" and often sell quicker.

Borders let your motifs shine. You don’t need new elements—just transform your existing ones. A simple contrast color can ground the border and add an eye-catching finish. It’s fun, fast, and rewarding to see how borders elevate the entire design.

Top Tip: Use a contrast colour to ground the main section of the border for a bold, eye-catching hem.

Here's how a client might engineer your border design for their garment pattern.

4. Meeting Industry Expectations

Great design skills are essential, but you also need the technical knowledge to meet industry standards. Designing in repeat, both for the main print and the border, is key. If you’re unsure, we cover this in our Complete Repeat Course for Surface Designers —it’s easier than you think when you know how!

Additionally, setting up your files correctly for printing is crucial. The most efficient method is placing the border down the selvage, which helps minimize fabric waste. Always communicate with your customer to understand their specific needs, as this will streamline the process and ensure satisfaction.

5. Expanding Your Design Repertoire

Here’s the best part—you don’t need to create new motifs to make stunning borders! With a few simple Photoshop tricks, you can transform your existing elements into striking compositions. Borders can add drama and give your designs a bohemian, finished look.

Pressed for time but want to improve your work? Learn our in-house secrets in our Gouache Paisley Course and start adding borders to your designs with ease.

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