|
 Background Patterns |
|
|
|
|
|
Background Patterns |
|
|
In addition to specifying background color, web page authors can specify an image to use as a background pattern. A background pattern is usually a small GIF designed to repeat itself over the page in such a way that this repetition is seamless.
A pattern is easily added to a document by slightly modifying the body tag:
- <body background="wr_wht.gif">
On this page, wr_wht.gif is a GIF ("wide-ruled white") which is creating the "notebook paper" background on this page.
Patterned backgrounds should be used with restraint because they can significantly slow download time. Because of this, they should be kept small and shouldn't be used at all on pages that already contain a large number of images.
Also, no matter how subtle patterns are, they almost always impair reading. Even if this effect is only slightly noticeable, it should be carefully considered by the page designer.
Another shameless plug: there is a large collection of seamless background pattern GIFs for web use at re-vision.com.
| Sources of free or inexpensive web clip art: |
  |
