Here's a new paper-like background for free use on personal and commercial projects (this applies to all background patterns here).
Source V. Hartikainen
Drawn in Paint.net and vectorised in Vector Magic.
Source Firkin
Prismatic Abstract Geometric Background 4 No Black
Source GDJ
From a drawing in 'A Guide to the Guildhall of the City of London', John Baddeley, 1898.
Source Firkin
Three shades of gray makes this pattern look like a small carbon fiber surface. Great readability even for small fonts.
Source Atle Mo
From a drawing in 'Worsborough; its historical associations and rural attractions', Joseph Wilkinson, 1879.
Source Firkin
A light gray wall or floor (you decide) of concrete.
Source Atle Mo
This one is so simple, yet so good. And you know it. Has to be in the collection.
Source Gluszczenko
To get the tile this is based on select the rectangle in Inkscape and use shift+alt+i.
Source Firkin
A large pattern with funky shapes and form. An original. Sort of origami-ish.
Source Luuk van Baars
Formed from a tile that can be had by selecting the rectangle in Inkscape and using shift+alt+i.
Source Firkin
From a drawing in 'La Principauté de Liège et les Pays-Bas au XVIe siècle', Société des Bibliophiles Liégeois ,1887.
Source Firkin
To get the tile this is based on, select the rectangle in Inkscape and use shift-alt-i.
Source Firkin
A seamless background texture of old cardboard.
Source V. Hartikainen
From a drawing in 'Studies for Stories', Jean Ingelow, 1864.
Source Firkin
Prismatic Abstract Background Design No Black
Source GDJ
Nice little grid. Would work great as a base on top of some other patterns.
Source Arno Gregorian
Inspired by the B&O Play, I had to make this pattern.
Source Atle Mo
Remixed from a drawing in 'A Girl in Ten Thousand', Elizabeth Meade, 1896.
Source Firkin
Background Wall, Art Abstract, white Well & CC0 texture.
Source Ractapopulous
Bright gray tones with a hint of some metal surface.
Source Hendrik Lammers
From a drawing in 'At home', J. Sowerby, J. Crane and T. Frederick, 1881.
Source Firkin
This is so subtle: We’re talking 1% opacity. Get your squint on!
Source Atle Mo
This white background pattern has a seamless grunge style texture. Here's a white grunge style background pattern. Use it as a tiled background image on web sites or for other purposes.
Source V. Hartikainen