Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
View my library
0
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 3

Make a repeat pattern print

I can create a repeating pattern using an insect motif.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 3

Make a repeat pattern print

I can create a repeating pattern using an insect motif.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

View new resources

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists can use a printing block multiple times to create a continuous design.
  2. Artists can explore symmetry, rotation and spacing to develop an effective repeat pattern.

Keywords

  • Printmaking - making pictures by pressing a design from a block, plate, or screen onto paper or fabric

  • Print / printing - a way of making a copy of something

  • Motif - a repeated pattern, image, or theme

Common misconception

Pupils may think that a repeat pattern means just stamping the same image randomly.

Demonstrate how patterns can follow a structured repetition, showing examples of tiling techniques.


To help you plan your year 3 art and design lesson on: Make a repeat pattern print, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When cleaning foam plates, remind pupils to be gentle so they don’t bend/snap. Use soft cloths or damp sponges instead of running water and provide support for younger pupils. The lesson references the work of Yinka Shonibare. It may be useful to have relevant images of his work available for view.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Roller, ink, tray, printing ink (multiple colours), paper towels, various card / paper or sketchbook and newspaper. Images of Yinka Shonibare's artwork may be useful.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Printing is a way of ...
drawing freehand
Correct answer: making a copy of something
painting with a brush
cutting out shapes
Q2.
Why is negative space important in printmaking?
It shows where you glued the paper
It helps the ink dry faster
Correct answer: It creates contrast between the printed image and the background
It makes the block heavy
Q3.
What must you do before printing your insect design?
Colour the paper with crayons
Correct answer: Carve the design into the block
Cut the paper into a butterfly shape
Glue the block to the table
Q4.
Woodblock and linoleum are examples of ...
painting tools
digital printing machines
drawing materials
Correct answer: traditional relief printing plates
Q5.
Why should you be careful not to press too hard when tracing your design onto a foam printing plate?
It will make your lines too light
The ink won’t stick properly
Correct answer: The foam plate can break or tear
It makes the design too small
Q6.
Put these steps of how to to transfer your insect design to the foam printing plate in the correct order :
1 - Place your paper sketch of an insect on top of the foam
2 - Use a pencil to trace over your design, pressing firmly
3 - This creates an indented design on the foam

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a motif in printmaking?
A colourful background
Correct answer: A repeating shape or design
A name for a carving tool
A type of pencil
Q2.
Why do artists use repeat patterns in their prints?
To make a picture look confusing
Correct answer: To create decoration and rhythm in their work
To practise drawing more
To cover mistakes
Q3.
Why is careful spacing and alignment important when creating a straight repeat pattern?
It makes the pattern random and fun
It helps the prints overlap for a 3D effect
Correct answer: It keeps the pattern even and prevents gaps or overlaps
It makes each print look completely different
Q4.
What do we call it when the same image is printed again and again in a row or pattern?
Correct Answer: repeat pattern
Q5.
Put these steps in the right order to make a repeating pattern with a print:
1 - Create or carve your insect motif
2 - Ink your motif using a roller
3 - Print the motif in a row or grid
Q6.
Match the word to the definition:
Correct Answer:Printing,Transferring a design onto paper using ink

Transferring a design onto paper using ink

Correct Answer:Motif,A design that repeats

A design that repeats

Correct Answer:Repeat pattern,The same image shown again and again in rows or shapes

The same image shown again and again in rows or shapes