Introduction
Looking to attract new print buyers to your Pattern Cloud site but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Growing your audience and building meaningful connections with new customers can feel like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be.
In this guide, you’ll find proven strategies and insider tips to help you discover, reach, and invite the right buyers to your Pattern Cloud site, so you can expand your studio with confidence and focus on what you do best: creating.
Why Finding New Print Buyers Matters
Starting out in the print design industry can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to selling online and getting your work in front of the right people.
📌At The Pattern Cloud, we believe the key is simple: focus on finding the right buyers and building strong, lasting relationships with them.
Waiting for customers to stumble across your work isn’t enough. Success comes from doing the research, being consistent with outreach, and dedicating time each day to marketing your designs. Even just a few focused hours a week can make a big difference.
In the past, many studios relied on in-person visits and portfolios. While that still works, digital tools now allow you to reach buyers globally, without leaving your desk.
The best approach? Combine classic industry practices with modern outreach strategies to build a sustainable pipeline of customers.
Identify Your Ideal Print Buyer
Before reaching out, get clear on who you're targeting. Building your ideal customer profile helps you focus your marketing where it matters most.
💬Ask yourself:
What is my unique selling point (USP)?
Where do I imagine my designs being used?
Who is my dream customer?
Example:
If you specialize in hand-drawn floral prints, your ideal client might be a womenswear buyer working on dresses, blouses, or activewear. There's little benefit in pitching to a menswear team when your work clearly aligns with womenswear markets.
Being intentional about who you contact helps save time and improves your chances of success.
Leverage Social Media to Showcase Your Patterns
Social media is one of the most powerful tools to connect with potential buyers and build your studio’s online presence.
Where to Start:
Instagram: Great for discovering brands that match your aesthetic.
LinkedIn: Perfect for finding and connecting with decision-makers like design managers or textile buyers.
💡 Two-Step Strategy:
Use Instagram to find brands that align with your style.
Head to LinkedIn to connect with the buyers and design leads at those companies.
Practical Social Media Tips:
Use targeted hashtags like
#surfacepattern,#womensweartrends, or#interiordesignprintsEngage with brands: Comment, tag them in posts, and start conversations
Move to LinkedIn for deeper outreach and introductions
Use Email Outreach to Build Buyer Relationships
Email is still one of the most effective ways to keep buyers engaged and updated with your latest work.
How Often Should You Email?
Aim for once a week or twice a month to stay top-of-mind without overwhelming your contacts.
🔍 Where to Find Buyer Emails:
Chrome Extensions:
Skrapp.io – Finds professional emails from LinkedIn and websites
ContactOut – Reveals email addresses and sometimes phone numbers
⚠️ Pro tip: Use these tools responsibly. Focus on relevance, not volume.
Company Websites:
Explore team pages, press contacts, or careers sections to identify email formats (like [email protected]) and reach out directly.
Tap into Referrals & Word-of-Mouth
Some of the best opportunities come from your existing network:
Ask current buyers for introductions to colleagues in other departments
Build relationships with other studios—many are happy to share contacts
Stay active in design communities and group chats where leads are shared
Warm introductions build trust and make outreach much more effective.
How to Send Bulk Emails Without Losing the Personal Touch
If you're emailing multiple buyers regularly, email marketing tools can save you hours.
Recommended CRM Platforms:
Klaviyo
HubSpot
Mixmax
These tools allow you to:
Send campaigns in bulk
Automate follow-ups
Track open and click rates
On a tight budget? You can still send campaigns manually from Gmail or Outlook with well-designed templates.
💡 Pro tip: Personalize your bulk emails with the buyer’s name, brand reference, or a link to a relevant collection to keep it human and targeted.
Make It Easy for Buyers to Access Your Work
One of the best things you can do? Remove friction. Make it simple for buyers to see your work by:
Sending direct links to your shop or collections
Creating custom accounts for buyers with pre-set login credentials
Highlighting designs that fit their category or brand aesthetic
Every click you remove from their path increases the chances of a sale.
How The Pattern Cloud Helps You Grow
At The Pattern Cloud, we offer more than just a platform, we offer a complete toolkit for studios to grow their business:
A beautifully branded online space to showcase your work
Tools to manage your collections, track buyers, and upload designs
Built-in features to create buyer logins, share pinboards, and monitor activity
You focus on designing, we help with everything else.