Supplies:
Tube: mitchfoust-3-2
Scrap: scrapkarma_ib-enamorte-92-1
Font: ballegra
Mask: 322 and 323 from Package 7
Please do not use any of the licensed supplies without purchasing them first.
First off, unzip all supplies.
You want to make sure you have your Photoshop set to place files as Smart Objects. I always like doing this because if there is something about the element I want to change, it is much easier to do. Photoshop > Preferences…
Open the mask(s) you would like to use. You don’t have to use the ones I have chosen.
Select > All
Edit > Copy
This will save a “selection” of the white areas in the mask.
You can now close that mask.
Open a new 800 x 800 pixel canvas. Be sure it is set to 72ppi resolution. You can always resize later.
I usually add a color fill layer to the tag so it is easily changed should I use it on a different color website. Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color…
White usually works with most websites.
Place the paper on the canvas that you would like to use. You can either drag and drop it onto the canvas from your file browser, or you can use the File > Place… method. Just browse to the folder with the kit when prompted.
With the paper layer highlighted in the layers panel…
Select > Edit in Quick Mask Mode.
Edit > Paste
This will leave parts of the paper in red. This is good! If it doesn’t, then you will need to open and copy the mask again.
It seems that our mask was too big for the tag. Let’s fix that.
With the red “quick mask” still in effect, go to Edit > Free Transform
Fit the red mask inside your tag.
Select > Uncheck the Edit in Quick Mask Mode.
Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection
Magic, right?? now you don’t have to worry about having an extra clipped layer.
Instead, you have a mask thumbnail attached to your paper layer.
Place another paper on your canvas and repeat the process with any other masks you want to use.
That’s it! How easy is that?
Now, time for the elements! This is where the real magic begins.
You can drag and drop items straight from your file browser into the canvas. This makes it faster to place items.
When placing your elements, transform them by going to Edit > Free Transform. At the top of the screen, you will see a bunch of numbers about your placement. Edit those to match these settings.
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-Spray (2)
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-Spray (2) – yep, again.
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-El (26)
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-Frame (2)
Now your tube.
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-El (30)
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-El (25)a
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-El (26)a
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-El (6)
KS_IB-Enamorte-92-1-El (14)
This is the end of the elements.
Now, back to the frame element layer. You have a frame, right? If not, you can skip this part. We need to add a fill layer to the picture frame.
Highlight the layer UNDER the frame in your layers panel. Now drop the paper you would like to use onto the canvas.
Grab your selection wand from the tools panel. If you can’t find it, check out the basics page for a better understanding of the tools layout.
The Selection Wand options should look like this at the top of your window:
Click on the center portion of the frame.
In the upper menu of Photoshop, click on Selection > Modify > Expand…
Expand your selection by 2px.
Now highlight your paper layer.
Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection.
Now you have a fill to your frame. Easy Peasy!
We definitely want to add some shadows to our elements. Without shadowing, the tag will just look flat. The secret to a good tag, is a good shadow effect.
Right click (or ctrl+click) a layer and choose “Blending Options.”
I add a drop shadow and an outer glow. The glow enhances the effect a bit.
Now after you have hit OK, right click the layer again and choose “Copy Layer Style.”
Highlight all of your element layers (click the top one, then shift + click the bottom one) and right click again. This time, choose “Paste Layer Style.”
It makes a HUGE difference to add shadows:
I hid the tube and stuff because I wasn’t ready to add copyrights.
If you would like to remove the excess shadows from around your tag, I have explained how to do that HERE. Yep. I used this method for this tag, so go ahead and have a look.
Resize before adding copyrights!
Highlight the top layer of the layers panel.
Grab your text tool and add the name you would like. Position it just where you want it and add a layer style. This is mine:
And here we have our completed tag! You can now save it as a PNG or a JPG file. I prefer using the Export feature, so I know it is at the proper resolution for web-display. If you choose to save as a PNG, be sure to hide the background layer, first.
Here are the settings I used:
My “Forever List” can find their tags in their Fotki Folders.