From Sketch to Tea Towel: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Design Process

Designing a tea towel isn’t just about creating a pretty picture—it’s a journey that starts with an idea and unfolds through creativity, problem-solving, and a bit of trial and error. Today, I’m giving you a peek behind the scenes at how my latest tea towel design came to life!

1. Finding the Idea

Every design starts with a brainstorm. For the ‘pops of joy’ tea towel, I wanted something that captured the feeling of warm-weather months—something whimsical and cheerful, a little dose of joy for those less-than-exciting cleaning tasks. My goal? A design that brings a smile, even when tackling the dishes!

2. Choosing a Color Palette

A limited color palette makes a design feel cohesive, so I carefully selected a handful of colors that felt bright, fresh, and full of life. Restricting the palette also helps the final print look crisp and polished.

3. Digital Drawing with Procreate

I do all my illustrations on an iPad using an Apple Pencil and the Procreate app. If you’re unfamiliar with Procreate, it’s a powerful digital drawing tool that mimics traditional art techniques while offering endless possibilities. I love how it allows me to sketch, refine, and experiment—without worrying about running out of paper or paint! (If you relate to my drawing style you might enjoy a glimpse at my portfolio.)

4. Bringing It All Together

I start by drawing individual elements on separate canvases. This allows me to focus on each illustration before assembling the final layout. Once I’m happy with the elements, I move them to a single canvas to arrange them into the full design. One of the biggest advantages of working digitally is the ability to shift things around easily. I can resize, rotate, or swap out elements with just a few taps—something that would take hours (or be impossible!) with traditional media.

5. Printing and Testing

Once the design is complete, I export it and order a sample from the printing company. Since this towel was a new-to-me fabric, I put it through the ultimate test: a wash and dry cycle. I’m happy to report it held up beautifully!

6. A Special Behind-the-Scenes Perk

One fun thing about digital drawing? I can watch a time-lapse video of my entire process! Paid Substack subscribers, look back to our post on April 4, 2025, to watch this design come to life, stroke by stroke.

This tea towel design was a joy to create, and I hope it brings just as much joy to those who use it.