Creating a background, border, & signature on a large image from scratch

When you have an image that is not a standard size, how does one create a border (mat) around it along with a copyright notice?  Here's the procedure:

Open your image file

To maintain consistency, make sure the ppi is set to 300 by going to <Image> <Resize> <Image Size> and set the PPI (pink arrow) to 300 BUT before you do that, UNCHECK the Resample Box (green arrow).  Click OK.

Now your image is set to 300 ppi.  For the screen it's not an issue but when you print it out, it's important.  Now we're going to make the Background (on the Layer's Palette - pink arrow) into a Layer.  Just double click on the Background and the Layer's menu pops up (pink outline).  Just click OK.

Next, we're going to ADD a layer ABOVE the image.  Click on the Icon (pink arrow) and a New Layer will appear above the image (green arrow).

Next, we're going to increase the Canvas Size.  Click on <Image> <Resize> <Canvas Size> and click on the Relative Box (blue arrow) and insert a size Horizontal and Vertical.  In this case it's .75 (3/4) inch for this image.  This size may vary depending on the original size of your image.

Now you should have a transparent border around the image.  Making sure the top layer is selected,  Now we're going to add a stroke (line) around the image on the outer border.  <Select> <All> (CRTL A) and you should have marching ants around the outer border of the image.  Go to <Edit> <Stroke>

select the INNER stroke, your color and the size.  I used 16 pixels for this one. Click OK.  Now you'll have a border around the outer edge of the image.  Make sure the upper layer is selected (pink arrow).

Now we need to add a bottom layer.  Make sure your image layer is selected (pink arrow) then click on the icon at the top that looks like a page (blue arrow) while HOLDING DOWN THE APPLE KEY.  Holding down the key while you click on the icon is kinda critical as it'll put a new layer UNDER the image layer (green arrow).

Next, make sure you've selected the bottom layer (pink arrow) and change the Canvas Size again and <Edit> <Fill> the layer with whatever color you want (in this case White). 

Now you can put your text layer.  It's easier if you zoom in and you should make sure that the top layer (pink arrow) is selected.

Add and position the text you want on the image.  The size you use will depend on the font file that you use.

Position the text to your liking then select the stroke layer (pink arrow), select the Rectangular Marquee tool and select the area of the border you want to delete (pink box).

Once you're happy with the selection, hit the Delete (or backspace) key to remove the border.

If you're happy with the result, Flatten the image and save it to your HD in a different folder.

 End of today's lesson.  If you think you're going to make changes later, save it as a layered .PSD file which will allow you to make edits without starting over.

Borders - How to fit an image into a specifid print size

If you have a specific print size you want to output, here's how to create the canvas and make your image fit into it.

Open an image and activate the rulers.  <View> <Rulers>  Now you know what the size of your image is.  For output, it's best to be at the default 300 ppi.

Create the end document.  In this case you go <File> <New> and make your document.  In this case it's 8" high x 10" wide @ 300 ppi.  It'll appear on your desktop in a separate window.

Go back to your original image and <Edit> <Select All> (shortcut is CRTL-A) (for the Mac it's <Apple-A>) 

Then <Edit> <Copy>

Select the New Document (the 8x10 one) and <Edit> <Paste>.  If you are working with the original file out of the camera, then it should be bigger than the 8x10 document.

How to make the image fit?  Go to <Image> <Transform> <Free Transform>.  There should be a square box on the corner.  Since the image is larger than the box and you can't see the other size of the transform boxes, you can either make the image smaller or....

Use <View> <Fit on Screen> (Apple-0 (zero)) and all the boxes will be in view.

Click on the box in the lower right corner, HOLD THE SHIFT KEY DOWN, and click and drag the box until the image size is reduced to the size that you want in the box.  If you do NOT hold the shift key down, the image will get distorted.  Holding the Shift Key down, will maintain the aspect ratio.

Once it's size to your satisfaction, click in the photo someplace and move the image to where you want it placed in the box.. 

Once you're happy with the placement, you can either double click in the box OR hit the enter key and then you can start applying the background color and whatever else you want to do.

Adding a border with Elements 11

When going stuff in Photoshop or Elements, there's probably at least 10 different ways to do the same thing.  This is one quick way to add a border and a borderline to an image.

First, open the image in Elements.  Select the "Expert" level (purple arrow) and open the Layers Window (Window, Layers on top menu).

Double click on the Layers menu on the Background layer (pink arrow).  You'll see the pop up box that says Layer 0.  Click OK.  Now your background is a useable Layer.

Next, click the New Layer button (Pink arrow) and a Layer 1 will appear above Layer 0 (green arrow).

Next, move the Layer 1 BELOW Layer 0.

Layer 1 is where you're going to put your background Color.

Next we need to expand the Canvas to create the Frame (Border).

You go to <Image> <Resize> <Canvas Size> and a menu will appear.  You can either specify the Canvas Size or add a specific border size around the image (which is what was done in this case).

You click the "Relative" box and input the Border width that you want.  Click OK and you'll have a new border around the image.

To add the border color, you Select Layer 1 (just click on it) and go to <Edit> <Fill Layer>.  You can preselect the Foreground and Background Color (pink arrow) by clicking on it and a color menu will pop up and just click the color you want and click OK.  You can select a Foreground or Background Color or select a Custom Color.  Then Click OK and the Layer 1 will be filled with that color.

Next, select the image layer (Layer 0) and go to <Edit> <Stroke Selection>, select the color of the outline and the width and click OK.

If you did everything right and you want to save the image, you need to "flatten" the image otherwise you may not be able to save it as a Jpeg.  You can either right click on Layer 0 or Layer 1 and select "Flatten Image" or on the upper Menu, select <Layer> <Flatten Image>

Have fun.

Intro

Now that my UK friend is into Photoshop Elements 11, I did a dumb thing and purchased a copy so when she asks an Elements question, it'll be easier to teach her what to do.  If any of you are using Elements 11 and would like to learn as I figure out the program, by all means you're welcome to follow this blog.