Use Photoshop to Customize a Placard Title Graphic
The title of your blog posts or scrapbook layouts can be enhanced with a decorative touch when placed inside a placard design. An eye-catching placard photo will make your titles grab attention on Pinterest, Facebook and other social sharing sites.
In this tutorial, I will choose a fancy placard title background — from a set of 20 that are free to download and come with instructions on how to install them for use in Photoshop — and customize it a few different ways so to make more than one version.
I'll be using Photoshop CC, but any recent version should work. I'll show how to use customized shapes, add text, apply a pattern, a filter, and more!
To follow along, click on the below link for a set of free placard graphics with instructions on how to download them into your computer and install them for use in Photoshop.
Make the Shape
After I install the placard title backgrounds I will create a new document by choosing File > New. I'll name the document "placard_1." I'll make the width 6 inches and the height 4. For web use, I would choose 72 for the resolution, or choose 300 if the graphic is to be use in printed materials. This higher resolution results in a crisper image when printed.
I will click on the Custom Shape tool in the Tools panel or use the keyboard short (U), then click on the small arrow next to the Shape option, which can be found top-right in the Options bar.
I can now click and drag to make the shape.
Add a Fill
In the Options bar, I will click on the small arrow next to the Fill option to select a solid color. I'll choose a light green, but you can choose any color you like.
Add a Stroke
To add a stroke, I will click on the small arrow next to the stroke option and choose a stroke color. I think I'll make it a dark green. Also in the Options bar I'll set the point size to 5, and choose a solid line.
Add Text
In the Tools panel I'll click on the Type tool, then on my placard graphic. In the Options bar I'll set the Font to Noteworthy, but you can choose whatever font you like. I'll make the font size 48, by clicking on the small arrow next to the Font Size option, and then click on the Center Text option.
Make Adjustments
To make adjustments to the text, I will choose Window > Character, and in the Character panel I'll set the tracking to -10, which will bring the letters closer together. As long as the text is highlighted I can try different settings to see what looks best.
Change Font Color
To change the color of the font, I can click on the color box in the Options bar, then either click and move the slider and then click within the color field to choose a color, or type in a number. Because I want the font to be white I'll type in the RGB color fields 255, 255, and 255 then click OK.
I'll click on the Shape layer in the Layers panel to deselect the text. Because I like how everything looks I'll choose File > Save.
Add a Pattern
I now want to create another version using the same placard graphic. I'll first choose File > Save As, and rename the file. I'll name it "placecard_2." With the Shape layer still selected in the Layers panel, I will click on the Custom Shape tool in the Tools panel and choose a plaid pattern. You can download the same pattern and others here: Free Plaid Patterns.
After I choose a pattern I can move the slider to change its size, as shown in the screenshot.
To save my changes I'll choose File > Save.
More: Free Patterns and Gradients for Photoshop and Elements
Add a Style
To create another version I'll choose File > Save As, and name it "placard_3." I'll make the fill a solid black color, set the stroke to none, then in the style panel I'll choose a Style. If you don't see the Styles panel you can open it by going to Window > Styles. I'll choose a wood style. You can download the same wood style and others here: Wood Styles.
More: Free Photoshop Layer Style Effect Presets
Add a Filter
To change the Type, I'll select its layer in the Layers panel; choose the Type tool in the Tools panel, and type "Wooden Things Scrapbook." I'll then click on another style to apply it to the text. As before, I can adjust the look of the text by making changes in the Character panel.
If necessary I can reposition the text using the Move tool. To do so, I can simply select the Move tool from the Tools panel, then click on the text and drag it to where I want to it to go.
When I'm happy with how it looks I can choose File > Save.
Add an Emboss
I will choose File > Save As, then rename the file and create yet another version, working from the same panels and using the same tools as before.
I will select the Shape layer in the Layers panel, and in the Styles panel I'll choose none. In the Options bar I'll set the Fill color to a deep red and the stroke color to a bright blue. In the Layers panel I'll select the Type layer, then in the Styles panel choose none.
In the Tools panel, I'll select the Type tool, highlight the text, then in the Options bar set the font color to bright blue. With the text still selected I'll type the words, "Village News." If necessary I can use the Move tool to reposition the text to where it is centered within the placard.
Before I can add a filter to the shape I need to Rasterize it. I'll click on the shape layer in the Layers panel and choose Layer > Rasterize > Shape. I'll then choose Filter > Filter Gallery. A new window will appear where I can choose the filter that I want. I'll click on the small arrow next to the Artistic folder and choose the Sponge filter. To the right of this I can make whatever adjustments I like by moving the sliders. With a checkmark next to Preview I can see how it looks before I commit to it. When I like how it looks I'll click OK.
More: Working with Multiple Filters in Photoshop
With the type layer selected in the Layers panel, and the Text tool selected in the Tools panel, I will highlight the text, then in the Options bar I'll change the type style to Bold. I'll then choose Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss. A window will appear where I can make adjustment to the Emboss. Feel free to try different settings. Because I like how it looks with the default settings I'll click OK.
I'll select the Shape layer and again choose Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss. This time I'll move the Size slider until it shows 18 pixels, then click OK. I'll choose File > Save, and I'm done! I now have four versions, and the know-how to make an infinite number of different versions.
More Shape Presets to Download:
The title of your blog posts or scrapbook layouts can be enhanced with a decorative touch when placed inside a placard design. An eye-catching placard photo will make your titles grab attention on Pinterest, Facebook and other social sharing sites.
In this tutorial, I will choose a fancy placard title background — from a set of 20 that are free to download and come with instructions on how to install them for use in Photoshop — and customize it a few different ways so to make more than one version.
I'll be using Photoshop CC, but any recent version should work. I'll show how to use customized shapes, add text, apply a pattern, a filter, and more!
To follow along, click on the below link for a set of free placard graphics with instructions on how to download them into your computer and install them for use in Photoshop.
Note: If you use Photoshop Elements, you'll want our tutorial on How to Create Fancy Placard Titles Using Photoshop Elements as the layer effects options are different in PSE.
Make the Shape
After I install the placard title backgrounds I will create a new document by choosing File > New. I'll name the document "placard_1." I'll make the width 6 inches and the height 4. For web use, I would choose 72 for the resolution, or choose 300 if the graphic is to be use in printed materials. This higher resolution results in a crisper image when printed.
I will click on the Custom Shape tool in the Tools panel or use the keyboard short (U), then click on the small arrow next to the Shape option, which can be found top-right in the Options bar.
I can now click and drag to make the shape.
Add a Fill
In the Options bar, I will click on the small arrow next to the Fill option to select a solid color. I'll choose a light green, but you can choose any color you like.
Add a Stroke
To add a stroke, I will click on the small arrow next to the stroke option and choose a stroke color. I think I'll make it a dark green. Also in the Options bar I'll set the point size to 5, and choose a solid line.
Add Text
In the Tools panel I'll click on the Type tool, then on my placard graphic. In the Options bar I'll set the Font to Noteworthy, but you can choose whatever font you like. I'll make the font size 48, by clicking on the small arrow next to the Font Size option, and then click on the Center Text option.
Make Adjustments
To make adjustments to the text, I will choose Window > Character, and in the Character panel I'll set the tracking to -10, which will bring the letters closer together. As long as the text is highlighted I can try different settings to see what looks best.
Change Font Color
To change the color of the font, I can click on the color box in the Options bar, then either click and move the slider and then click within the color field to choose a color, or type in a number. Because I want the font to be white I'll type in the RGB color fields 255, 255, and 255 then click OK.
I'll click on the Shape layer in the Layers panel to deselect the text. Because I like how everything looks I'll choose File > Save.
Add a Pattern
I now want to create another version using the same placard graphic. I'll first choose File > Save As, and rename the file. I'll name it "placecard_2." With the Shape layer still selected in the Layers panel, I will click on the Custom Shape tool in the Tools panel and choose a plaid pattern. You can download the same pattern and others here: Free Plaid Patterns.
After I choose a pattern I can move the slider to change its size, as shown in the screenshot.
To save my changes I'll choose File > Save.
More: Free Patterns and Gradients for Photoshop and Elements
Add a Style
To create another version I'll choose File > Save As, and name it "placard_3." I'll make the fill a solid black color, set the stroke to none, then in the style panel I'll choose a Style. If you don't see the Styles panel you can open it by going to Window > Styles. I'll choose a wood style. You can download the same wood style and others here: Wood Styles.
More: Free Photoshop Layer Style Effect Presets
Add a Filter
To change the Type, I'll select its layer in the Layers panel; choose the Type tool in the Tools panel, and type "Wooden Things Scrapbook." I'll then click on another style to apply it to the text. As before, I can adjust the look of the text by making changes in the Character panel.
If necessary I can reposition the text using the Move tool. To do so, I can simply select the Move tool from the Tools panel, then click on the text and drag it to where I want to it to go.
When I'm happy with how it looks I can choose File > Save.
Add an Emboss
I will choose File > Save As, then rename the file and create yet another version, working from the same panels and using the same tools as before.
I will select the Shape layer in the Layers panel, and in the Styles panel I'll choose none. In the Options bar I'll set the Fill color to a deep red and the stroke color to a bright blue. In the Layers panel I'll select the Type layer, then in the Styles panel choose none.
In the Tools panel, I'll select the Type tool, highlight the text, then in the Options bar set the font color to bright blue. With the text still selected I'll type the words, "Village News." If necessary I can use the Move tool to reposition the text to where it is centered within the placard.
Before I can add a filter to the shape I need to Rasterize it. I'll click on the shape layer in the Layers panel and choose Layer > Rasterize > Shape. I'll then choose Filter > Filter Gallery. A new window will appear where I can choose the filter that I want. I'll click on the small arrow next to the Artistic folder and choose the Sponge filter. To the right of this I can make whatever adjustments I like by moving the sliders. With a checkmark next to Preview I can see how it looks before I commit to it. When I like how it looks I'll click OK.
More: Working with Multiple Filters in Photoshop
With the type layer selected in the Layers panel, and the Text tool selected in the Tools panel, I will highlight the text, then in the Options bar I'll change the type style to Bold. I'll then choose Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss. A window will appear where I can make adjustment to the Emboss. Feel free to try different settings. Because I like how it looks with the default settings I'll click OK.
I'll select the Shape layer and again choose Layer > Layer Style > Bevel and Emboss. This time I'll move the Size slider until it shows 18 pixels, then click OK. I'll choose File > Save, and I'm done! I now have four versions, and the know-how to make an infinite number of different versions.
More Shape Presets to Download:
- Frame and Border Custom Shapes
- 7 Label Shapes for Badges, Tags, and Signs
- Circular Border Shapes
- Edgy Frame Shapes
- Square Frame Custom Shapes
- Five Free Oval Frames
- 100 Boxy Custom Shapes
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