A print is a pattern that is not woven into the fabric but applied to the top with dye by various methods such as digital printing or screen printing. If you flip a fabric over to the backside and you can no longer see the pattern, it is most likely a print.
Intricate and irregular designs such as animal or floral designs are usually prints but frequently stripe and check patterns are also printed on top of the fabric.
Prints come in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes. If you've ever wondered what they are all called let's shed some light on them!
You can also find saveable references at the bottom of the page. Simply pin them to your Pinterest boards and refer back to them when you need to.
Cheetah
A feline print consisting of thick, solid black spots, often mixed in with smaller black dots. It became hugely popular in the 1930s thanks to the film Tarzan the Apeman. Cheetah print is often seen as more sophisticated than leopard.
Cow
First appearing at the AW18 catwalks, cow print consists of irregular, roundish shapes of black colour printed on a white background. Cow print is considered much more understated than feline or reptilian prints.
Crocodile
First used in fashion in the 1800s, crocodile print consists of small-ish, irregular scales, usually in an irregular graph pattern. It is usually found in the form of accessories such as bags, belts and shoes, but can also feature on garments.
Giraffe
Less known than the predator ones, giraffe print is made up of rectangular shapes clustered tight on a tan background.Much like cow print, giraffe is a bold pattern, but because of its neutral colours it is a lot more understated and wearable.
Hyena
A rare animal print, hyena print can come in a spotted or striped design.The spotted version looks similar to the Cheetah print whereas the striped version looks similar to the tiger prin,t but in both cases the background is more tan.
Jaguar
A feline print made up of black dirty rosette spots, so-called because of the thick-edged circles with black spots in the middle. Jaguar print dates back to the Mayan civilisation and became popular in the 1970s with the Punk Rock movement.
Leopard
A feline print, leopard print consists of rosette spots made of thick-edged circles with a clean lighter-coloured centre. It became hugely popular in the 1930s thanks to the film Tarzan the Apeman and has been the most popular animal print.
Peacock
A rare animal print, the peacock print consists of typically colourful peacock feathers. This print is associated with mystery and eccentricity, and can be featured on garments and accessories such as purses.
Snake
Part of fashion since the early 1900’s, snake print is known for its distinct patterned look on a neutral background. It is most commonly used for accessories such as bags, belts and shoes.
Tiger
A feline print, the tiger print is more easily identifiable than its big cat cousins.It consists of long, wavy, irregular stripes set against an orange background. Since the 1970s tiger prints have come in various - unnatural - colours.
Tortoise shell
In use since Ancient Greece, tortoise shell is famous for its luxurious air.The generally brown-spotted print is mainly used for accessories, such as jewellery, belts, and most prominently glasses and sunglasses.
Zebra
Popular in the 1970s thanks to the heightened interest in world cultures at the time, the zebra print is very graphic.It consists of long black stripes tightly packed together on a white background.
Abstract
Often bright and lively representations of floral scenes, using shape, line and colour to create abstract designs resembling natural shapes.
Acanthus
This pattern resembles the Mediterranean plant species, with additional flourishes placed in an ornamental round pattern.
Anthemion
Originating in Ancient Greece, this classical motif consists of a number of radiating petals resembling a honeysuckle or a lotus palm leaf.
Arabesque
Based on Islamic art, this elaborate design is made up of rhythmic linear patterns of interlacing foliage, tendrils and geometric motifs.
Art Nouveau
Emerging in the late 1800s, these designs are inspired by the curved lines of flowers and consist of rhythmic curves and harmonic repetitions.
Baroque
Originating in the 17th century, baroque florals are highly ornate and extravagant, usually highlighted by vibrant, contrasting colours.
Botanical
These patterns depict plants and flowers in a realistic manner, and are often based on botanical illustrations.
Calico
Originating in India, Calico florals are small-scale, tight flower designs in bright colours.
Damask
An ornamental pattern in one or two colours, damask patterns depict shrubs and flowers in an abstract and repetitive manner.
Ditsy
An all-over design of small flowers, shapes and figures, which are tightly packed to create a simple but lively and cheerful pattern.
Fleur-de-lis
An ornamental pattern in one or two colours, damask patterns depict shrubs and flowers in an abstract and repetitive manner.
Impressionist
Stemming from the 19th century art movement, impressionist designs have short, thick strokes and intense colour combinations.
Liberty
An all-over, small-scale design consisting of stylised, flowing shapes that was developed by British department store Liberty of London.
Mandala
Originating in Central Asia, the mandala design layers bright motfis of different geometric shapes, sizes and colours that resemble florals.
Paisley
The paisley is a curved tear drop, made up of smaller swirls, dots and flowers. Originally a Persian design, it takes its name from a town in Scotland.
Quatrefoil
The quatrefoil is an ornamental element of a a symmetrical shape created by the overlapping of four circles, resembling a flower or clover leaf.
Retro
Imitative of the fashions prior to 1960s and 1970s, retro florals combine muted tones with strong saturated colours in a geometric style.
Toile de Jouy
This French style depicts scenes of country life or people engaged in everyday activities in red or blue set against a white background.
Vintage
A pattern consisting of stripes of various widths and colours duplicated in both directions, which used to designate a distinctive Scottish clan.
Western
Usually seen in leather and metal craft, or embroidered on Western shirts, this design is highly detailed, and masculine.
Wreath
Wreath floral designs feature ring-shaped intertwined garlands of flowers or leaves, often adorned with ribbons and other decorations.
Camouflage
A pattern that conceals the object by blending it into its environment or providing a false impression of the object characteristics.
Character
Character prints usually feature popular and well-loved comic characters.
Logo
These prints typically display the logos of premium and luxury brands in prominent places.
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