Prompted by ideas from folks who are sharing their organizing systems on the Organize Your Patterns page, I decided to add this page of downloadable PDF templates to TanglePatterns.com.
Right-click the links to download the PDF.
All templates have a place to write in the tangle pattern name, and to record the original creator of the steps for that pattern.
Note: If you use these templates to post your own patterns online, PLEASE be sure they are tangles and not doodles. Tangle patterns are abstract, are not an image of some thing, and have no up or down orientation – there’s no right side up to a tangle). They are simple, repetitive (all over) patterns created with just 2 or 3 simple repeated strokes.
Blank Tangle Pattern Templates
- 4″ x 6″ index card – print this template on blank index cards. For those who prefer not to use grid guidelines the step boxes are blank.
- 8.5″ x 11″ page – for those who like to organize in 3-ring binders. This page is similar to the card and also has the 3.5″ x 3.5″ tile outline to use the pattern along with some others in a Zentangle®.
- 5.5″ x 8.5″ – for smaller 3-ring binders. Same as #2 but half page size.
- 5.5. x 8.5″ 2up – same as #3 but there are 2 on one page. Print on an 8.5″ x 11″ letter sheet, then cut it in half to get 2 pages.
METRIC TEMPLATES
- A6 index card – print this template on blank A6 index cards. For those who prefer not to use grid guidelines the step boxes are blank.
- A4 page – for those who like to organize in 3-ring binders. This page is similar to the card and also has the 9 cm x 9 cm tile outline to use the pattern along with some others in a Zentangle®.
- A5 – for smaller 3-ring binders. Same as #2 but A5 (half A4) page size.
- A5 2up – same as #3 but there are 2 on one page. Print on an A4 sheet, then cut it in half to get 2 pages.
Squared Tangle Pattern Templates
- 4″ x 6″ index card – print this template on blank index cards. For those who prefer to use grid guidelines, this card has lightly squared boxes for your steps.
- 8.5″ x 11″ page – for those who like to organize in 3-ring binders. This page is similar to the squared card and also has the 3.5″ x 3.5″ tile outline to use the pattern along with some others in a Zentangle®.
- 5.5″ x 8.5″ – for smaller 3-ring binders. Same as #2 but half page size.
- 5.5″ x 8.5″ 2up – same as #3, but there are 2 on one page. Print on an 8.5″ x 11″ letter sheet, then cut it in half to get 2 pages.
METRIC TEMPLATES
- A6 index card – print this template on blank A6 index cards. For those who prefer to use grid guidelines, this card has lightly squared boxes for your steps.
- A4 page – for those who like to organize in 3-ring binders. This page is similar to the card and also has the 9 cm x 9 cm tile outline to use the pattern along with some others in a Zentangle®.
- A5 – for smaller 3-ring binders. Same as #2 but A5 (half A4) page size.
- A5 2up – same as #3 but there are 2 on one page. Print on an A4 sheet, then cut it in half to get 2 pages.
Copyright Issues You Should Know
With so many new people joining the ranks of the Zentangle® Zealots, the inevitable enthusiasm is beginning to raise questions about the fair use of tangle patterns in art for sale, as well as create some outright copyright infringement issues. It’s time to address this important topic so we’re all on the same page. Please read this article.
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TanglePatterns exists to support your love of tangle patterns. I know the time and effort I devote to searching for Zentangle® patterns (so you don’t have to), providing links to pattern instructions, keeping you up-to-date with related videos, book reviews and news, and creating the free downloads on this site frees up your valuable time to spend the way you want – drawing Zentangles®.
Please consider a voluntary subscription or donation to help keep the site running. Your contribution – no matter the size – will help fund continued site development.
Here’s How: visit the DONATE page which describes ways you can support TanglePatterns.
I definitely love the grid lines. This really helps keep the instructions in perspective and easy to follow, especially for those patterns with multiple steps and with curves.
Both sizes are great. I was thinking of color coding with either colored masking tape or those colored office dots on an edge.
Thanks, Deb. I’m thinking about making 5″ x 7″ templates too because those could be punched and organized in the smaller-size 3 ring binders.
Thank you for doing this! I love the 1/2 page size with the grids, would it be possible to do that 2 to an 8.5 x 11 page? I haven’t figured out how to print it twice on a sheet so I can then cut them.
Good suggestion Debby. Will get this done and posted by tomorrow.
Thank you Linda! That makes it so much easier!
I’d love to donate to Tanglepatterns, but can’t figure out how to do it through PayPal. When I click on your PayPal button it takes me to PayPal, but doesn’t give me info to donate. Can you help me?
Thanks for this heads up, Cindi. Apparently I didn’t have the button set up correctly (duh) so I really appreciate you asking me about it! I think it works correctly now.
BTW – In order to keep the tax folks happy that I’m reporting all my income, all donations are credited to my business account. So that’s why the button takes you to a page labeled “Concept Communiques, Inc.”. It’s still TanglePatterns!
Thanks for these downloads, Linda. I was going to do some templates but I worry now
Great site! I’ll put the link to this page on my blog.
Thank you Linda for the templates. I am trying my hand at making up tangles and didn’t have a form or template to do them on. I just uploaded my first tangle on flicker on the tangle pattern group and I had to do it just on a sketch paper for now. It works but your templates in different sizes will help and I do want to do the ones on this site and the tangle site onto cards for my own use so I don’t have to keep looking them up.
So thanks alot for doing this. And thanks for this great site too.
Hi I am very new to this but love the beautiful photos that are posted. I was refered to doing tangles by a friend Linda. I have had allot of not good things happening in the last year and she said this helped her immensley…so here I am. I am looking for the beginners avenue and would love to have some input. Thanks in advance
Sharon
Hi Sharon, and welcome. I’m so glad your friend introduced you to Zentangle® and to TanglePatterns.com – there are many members who have found this wonderful art form has helped them through some very tough times. I’m sure you will too.
If you visit this page: What’s a Zentangle? – the basics of getting started are outlined there. You really only need a pen and some nice blank paper to get started.
To help simplify things make yourself a 3.5-inch square tile template on an index card and cut it out. You can give it slightly rounded corners if you like. Then trace around your template onto some nice paper to create your “tile” and away you go. You can trace that shape into a notebook or journal too. Just make sure the paper is nice to write on with a pen – some paper is very rough or very thin and flimsy and will only frustrate you.
As far as patterns go, I suggest choosing the official ones first – you can find all of those in the left sidebar in the “Find Patterns By Tag” section by clicking on the tag “zentangle”. These patterns form the core of Zentangle®, and it’s very good to learn those first. Plus they’re all beautiful and fun to draw. A good starting point is to Zentangle your name – or choose any inspirational word. That helps if deciding on a pattern is hard. I know I get overwhelmed with choices (and tend to make none as a result, but that’s another story), so this is a good way of narrowing down the field.
If you feel you need ideas for drawing your string, visit the TIPS & TOOLS > STRING IDEAS, and STRING TEMPLATES pages on the top menu bar.
And if you’d like to preserve your creations (as you no doubt will), getting the official kit is a good idea because it not only includes the pens and the official tiles which are lovely to draw on and frame or store in albums, it also includes a very good starter DVD and a companion booklet and both are very helpful.
It’s also great to get any or all of the Zentangle books for reference because they are full of patterns that aren’t on this site (because they don’t have online instructions yet), plus there are all kinds of drawing tips and ideas for other Zentangle-inspired art (ZIA’s) that you will enjoy learning. And they are not expensive – you definitely get your $$$ worth from each and every one of them.
Well this started out to be a short reply but it grew! Today’s post “Exploring TanglePatterns” also has a roundup of good places to visit on the site. I hope this answered your questions and that you enjoy being part of the TanglePatterns community. Please let me know how you are getting on, you can find my email address on the About page too.
Hugs to you, Linda
I have been searching – in vain – for the Zentangle – Tidings – it was listed on your page for original Zentangles – I had wanted to direct some “tanglers” to that particular Zentangel and now, I can not find it anywhere. Can you helop me out here”???
Thank you,
Nark
Hi Nark, there are no online instructions for the tangle named Tidings, that’s why it doesn’t have a link on my list of official tangles here: http://tanglepatterns.com/zentangles/list-of-official-tangle-patterns. It would have to be a tangle you’d learned from a CZT at a workshop because its instructions haven’t been published in any form yet.
Hi Linda!
Let me start by Thanking you for a wonderful website! So much info that you have rounded up and banked for us all here in one place…with lots of great links to boot! I love the templates that you have created for us as downloads..! I just5 read about a dot pad…rhodia dot pads. I was thinking that a grid with just dots or small hash marks would be great. Can you make your computer turn something like that out? Assunta from the original site was started on the hash mark type grid….any thoughts? Thanks again for all of the time that you spend keeping this site up.
Hi Andrea, thanks for taking time to comment, I really appreciate hearing from everyone.
You can print dot paper, and a whole lot more types from this website: http://www.printablepaper.net/category/dot. As I describe on the “Organize Your Patterns” page, I like the Moleskine squared grid page books – the paper is really nice to write on with the Microns and I do use both sides of the pages now. The books are a nice portable size to carry around. Sometimes if a pattern is particularly dark you will get a small amount of ink bleedthrough but it’s not enough to get worked up about. The disadvantage, if it can be called that, is that you can rearrange patterns on loose leaf paper which you can’t with a bound book.
But there’s something to be said for having a nice mix of patterns that aren’t in a filing “system” – you get reminded of patterns you aren’t necessarily looking for. If that makes any sense. And that’s coming from someone obsessed with organization! Again, welcome and I look forward to your continuing participation. Happy tangling!
My Dearest Linda,
Your link for the Dot Paper is exactly what I was looking for! Shout it from the rooftops…that is an amazing site!
Thanks so much for all of the time that you put into making this site the BEST! I seem to spend a lot of time with you there…lol!
Tangle till you drop…
Aloha,
Andy
Thanks, Andy. It gives me great pleasure to “hear” that TanglePatterns is fun and inspiring! You’ve made my day.
I took an introductory workshop at the seniors center this week and was amazed to see this. I sure am aware of patterns around me now. lol
Trying to get started has been made a little easier by this site and wealth of information. Not sure I will ever be able to do some of these patterns but will have fun trying them. May never be bored again…
Thanks
Hi Linda – I actually do not go to your tangles site as often as I should, however, I would like to receive the PDF file for your Tangles that you recently mentioned on line. I was going to make a donation thru my PayPal account – I guess I need your acct number and info to do this – please advise thru email.
Thank you,
Nark