Photocopy texture

A copier reading nothing: streaks down one axis, bands across the other, and one thing wrong per sheet.

Made with the Photocopy Noise generatorWorks in

Machine Marks preset

Photocopy Noise generates the marks a copier makes on a blank sheet: streaks that run with the paper, bands across it, dirt on the glass and the lid left up. Every size is physical, so it holds at any resolution. Lay it over artwork for a copied look.

10presets
20settings
3apps

Same effect, different presets.

8 renders, each from its own preset or seed. Try it on yours

Photocopy texture made with the Photocopy Noise generator in Filter Archive (Streak Sheet preset) — Streak Sheet

Photocopy texture made with the Photocopy Noise generator in Filter Archive (Band Sheet preset) — Band Sheet

Photocopy texture made with the Photocopy Noise generator in Filter Archive (Edge Wash preset) — Edge Wash

Photocopy texture made with the Photocopy Noise generator in Filter Archive (White Backing preset) — White Backing

Photocopy texture made with the Photocopy Noise generator in Filter Archive (Warm Grey Ground preset) — Warm Grey Ground

Use the photocopy texture in Photoshop, Affinity or Figma.

One licence covers all three: $9.99 a month or $59.99 once. See pricing

Photoshop

Open Filter Archive from the Plugins menu, pick Photocopy Noise under Backgrounds and press Apply. It draws on a new layer, no photo needed.

Mac & Windows · Photoshop 2024+

Affinity

Choose Filters, Plugins, Filter Archive on a pixel layer and pick Photocopy Noise. It fills that layer with the pattern.

Mac & Windows · Affinity 3

Figma

Run Filter Archive with nothing selected and pick Photocopy Noise. The pattern drops into your file as a new layer.

Figma Community

Settings worth touching.

TransportSheet: Which way the paper fed. Streaks run with it and bands across it.
Behind the GlassSheet: What is behind the glass: nothing, with the lid up, or a white sheet.
FaultMachine: The one thing wrong with the machine, amplified.

Plus 17 more in the panel, all editable after you pick a preset.

Photocopy Texture questions.

What is a photocopy texture?

A photocopy texture is an overlay of streaks, grain, bands and specks copied from real photocopier output, used to make digital artwork look printed or copied.

How do I make a photocopy texture in Photoshop?

Open Filter Archive from the Plugins menu and choose Photocopy Noise from the Backgrounds group. It draws from nothing, so you don't need a photo. Start from a preset such as Centre Band or Edge Wash, adjust it while the preview updates, then press Apply to add it as a new layer.

Can I use it in Affinity or Figma?

Yes. Photocopy Noise runs in Affinity 3 on Mac and Windows, from Filters, then Plugins, then Filter Archive, and in Figma through the Figma Community, where generators work with nothing selected. One licence covers Photoshop, Affinity and Figma.

Which presets come with Photocopy Noise?

10 presets: Centre Band, Edge Wash, Streak Sheet, Band Sheet, Lid Left Up, Filthy Glass, White Backing, Warm Grey Ground, Clean Machine and Machine Marks. Every setting stays editable after you pick one, and you can save a stack of filters to use again.