Harvesting Creativity: Designing Thanksgiving-Themed Patterns & Placements for Art Licensing

Harvesting Creativity: Designing Thanksgiving-Themed Patterns & Placements for Art Licensing

As the air turns crisp and leaves transform into a vibrant palette of warm hues, surface pattern designers and licensing artists find inspiration in the richly iconic theme of Thanksgiving.


The season invites us to delve into the historical roots, family feasts, and picturesque settings that define this cherished American holiday. And there are publishers and manufacturers all over the world who make Thanksgiving themed products for this important US holiday. In particular, paper plates, napkins, trays, placemats, ceramics, home decoration and many more household items can carry a Thanksgiving theme and we have customers looking to license Thanksgiving artwork all year round.


In this blog post, we'll explore key design references for Thanksgiving, focusing on autumnal colors, iconic imagery, and the historical significance that make for captivating and marketable designs. Take our advise and you may have more of a chance to sell your designs to our customers.

  1. Autumnal Colors:
Capture the essence of fall by incorporating a palette of warm and earthy tones. Think deep oranges, rustic reds, golden yellows, and rich browns. These colors evoke the changing leaves and set the perfect backdrop for Thanksgiving-themed patterns.
  1. Turkey Time:
No Thanksgiving celebration is complete without the star of the show – the turkey! Integrate stylized turkey motifs into your designs, experimenting with various poses and expressions. Whether whimsical or realistic, turkeys add a festive touch to patterns that resonate with the holiday spirit.
  1. Bountiful Harvest:
Celebrate the abundance of the harvest season by featuring iconic symbols such as pumpkins, corn, and autumn leaves. These elements not only pay homage to the agricultural roots of Thanksgiving but also create visually appealing patterns that can adorn a variety of products.
  1. Table Top:
Revel in the imagery of Thanksgiving feasts, including pies, roasted vegetables, and festive place settings. These delicious details can be incorporated into patterns for kitchenware, table linens, and much more, appealing to those who want to infuse their homes with the warmth of the season.
  1. Historical Significance:

Consider exploring the historical roots of Thanksgiving for a unique perspective. Pilgrims, Native American motifs, and colonial-era imagery can add depth and storytelling to your designs. Infusing history into your patterns & placements adds layers of meaning and makes them stand out in a crowded market.


As you embark on creating Thanksgiving-themed patterns for licensing, immerse yourself in the beauty and tradition that this holiday embodies. Let the warm and inviting colors, iconic symbols, and historical references infuse your designs with a sense of celebration and gratitude. Whether your designs will adorn textiles, stationery, or home decor, tapping into the spirit of Thanksgiving ensures that your creations resonate with the hearts and homes of consumers during this special time of year.


Happy designing!

Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday of every November but our customers look for their artwork and illustrations all year round. So even if Thanksgiving has just happened for 2023 there will always be demand for new artwork in the art licensing market.

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