Koshi and I decided to upgrade our accounts today, and I simply could not think of any reason why I'd want to torture myself by posting in multiple albums every day. So, instead, I thought I might use one for storing images for "how to" threads.
First things first. This quick tutorial is for Photoshop. I've done it in CS5 Extended, but the same rules apply to most other versions, including Elements. Some of the menus may appear slightly different, and some of the settings may not be identical, but the approach is the same.
Ok, so open PS and create a new document. Some versions of Photoshop will not accept a document larger than 999x999 pixels (for brush creating purposes), so I've set mine to that. The final brush will be smaller anyway. If you have problems saving your brush later, go back and check this step!
Here's what my document "looks" like. The important parts are background transparency, and pixel dimensions.
Now you have a blank, checkered, document. The checker pattern means it is transparent. This is important. If you mucked this up you can always create a new layer for your text, and delete your background layer later.
Choose your text tool, and then select a font. I used the font "Nothing" (you have to buy this particular one) and set it about 30 points. Type in whatever colour you can see well, or just the default one (black). Don't worry if your text goes over the edge - you can resize it or move it within your document by clicking and dragging from just underneath the text. You could include a logo or something here too if you wanted to - this is not limited to text. You should end up with something like this:
Now, if you have multiple layers, flatten your image (right click your background layer and select "flatten image" or "merge visible"). If not, great. Save your image in a format that allows you to keep the transparency. ie. NOT JPEG. PSD works great, as does PNG (which is good if you have fancied your text up with 3D effects or dropshadows etc). Stick it somewhere safe, like your desktop. lol
You only saved it so you can change it later, but you might not really care, so it's up to you.
Anywho, now it's time to make your brush. First, grab your marquee tool (marching ants) and select your text. I just put a box around mine. This is important so your brush doesn't include all the unwanted space around your watermark. Go to your dropdown menu, select Edit, then go down to "Define brush preset". Name your brush, like this:
Congratulations - you have created your brush. You can use the [ and ] keys to resize it to any size you want for your images. Can anyone say "Versatile"?
Firstly, open the photo you want to watermark. Open it as a copy if you don't want to lose your original unwatermarked version, or at least use "save as" later so you don't overwrite it. Open your layers pallette from your menu if it isn't open already (if anyone gets stuck on that part, ask me and I'll reply with it later). Then, make a duplicate of the background layer by dragging it down to the "new layer" icon or by right-clicking it and selecting "duplicate". Like this, from left to right:
Make sure your Background Copy is selected, like above.
Now, choose your custom brush if it isn't still selected, and click on foreground colour like this:
That brings up a shiny menu that lets you customise your brush colour. Yay! Instead of selecting something from in the colour selection box, move your cursor over your photo and it turns to an eyedropper. Cool. Select your colour from your own photo, so it blends in better! I chose my daughter's shirt. Not because it is a good choice, but for the example:
Now, make sure your brush settings have opacity and flow at 100%. Otherwise, well, it could be annoying. Then, resize your brush using [ or ] keys, place it where you want, and click it once. Or drag it all over the place if you enjoy the "my two-year-old-did-this" look.
Now, go over to your layers again, and drop your opacity down until you think it looks right. Or not at all if you want your watermark to be on the obvious side.
Finally, merge your layers, and save your image. SAVE AS. Don't lose your original.
did it, and done :)) thanks for this, i have previously done a similar thing with tubes in psp, but this gives more flexibility, i think so anyway :))
one thing though, 'cause i know i can with a tube, and 'cause i've not used ps for text before (only psp) how the *expletive* do i add a shadow on text in ps ???? lol i must be blind fgs lol. mind you i could do all this blindfolded in psp, but i WANT to know in ps :))
so i think i've got it sussed now, a brush is very similar to a tube, although i think psp has brushes too lol. i love learning though and i've been a psp'er and avoided PS for over 10 years now, so i think its time ;))
JINXXXX help lol ... ok so i've opened up a few pics to add my watermark to, and now when i click on the brushes icon it comes up but everything is greyed out .... any ideas?? yes i have the b'ground copy selected, followed instructions word for word lol. i don't have to have the original text file open do i ???
You are awesome, ya know that. You have to be one of the most helpful people I have ever dealt with when it comes to technology. So nice of you to always willingly share. Thank you.
Jinx, you're a dear! I've got Photoshop Elements 8 and bought a book today to help me learn to use it. It didn't include watermarks, though, and I was disappointed....and now you've helped us all. Thank you, thank you!
this is probably the most helpful, non confusing tutorial ive found, thanks Jinx.
if i stop before the step to make it a brush and save as a png, then can it be used in lightroom? or do i just move the images i want watermarked to ps and watermark it there? I wouldnt mind using lightroom for it, except there doesnt seem to much info or tutorials available ( ones that dont confuse me anyway)
thanks again, you really are the most helpful person on 365
fantastic, do you think you could tip me on how to get them on the pics in lightroom? ive worked out that you can do it when you export, but then i dont think you have a choice in where it places it?
@natandhayley I use LR Mogrify 2 plugin (free for up to 10 photos per batch, or donationware to unlock) - it allows you to add both vertical and horizontal insets, as well as a nine-point placement checkbox. Really easy to use and far better than LR's standard system. I haven't tried LR3 for it though - I still use Mogrify with that - but it might be able to do it without.
@jinximages I'm stuck... I made my custom brush and I have the picture that I want to add it to opened and I copied the background layer, but I dont know how to "choose" my brush? Does that make sense? I still have it opened in my project bin, but I don't know if that really matters?
Another question - when I flattened my custom brush, it turned white. Is that a problem? I saved it as a PSD. But the checkered boxes are gone? Does that mean its not transparent anymore?
Thanks for posting this thread!!! Is was a pain in the butt to make a new watermark each time!!!!
@cheyrebecca Hi Cheyenne! When you flattened it, did you keep it as a PSD? I'll take a look later tonight, just to verify - there may be a "maintain transparency" checkbox in there. Though, I think you'll find the brush will still work. You select it the same way you choose any brush shape - click the button up top of the screen, beside the brush icon, and scroll through to the bottom of the standard brushes. Shouldn't matter if you still have the file open.
@gratefulkina That was for a (now defunct) private forum - sorry! I could possibly recreate it, but it is essentially just drop-shadows and such. Let me know if you need help with that and I'll add some more info!
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Firstly, open the photo you want to watermark. Open it as a copy if you don't want to lose your original unwatermarked version, or at least use "save as" later so you don't overwrite it. Open your layers pallette from your menu if it isn't open already (if anyone gets stuck on that part, ask me and I'll reply with it later). Then, make a duplicate of the background layer by dragging it down to the "new layer" icon or by right-clicking it and selecting "duplicate". Like this, from left to right:
Make sure your Background Copy is selected, like above.
Now, choose your custom brush if it isn't still selected, and click on foreground colour like this:
That brings up a shiny menu that lets you customise your brush colour. Yay! Instead of selecting something from in the colour selection box, move your cursor over your photo and it turns to an eyedropper. Cool. Select your colour from your own photo, so it blends in better! I chose my daughter's shirt. Not because it is a good choice, but for the example:
Now, make sure your brush settings have opacity and flow at 100%. Otherwise, well, it could be annoying. Then, resize your brush using [ or ] keys, place it where you want, and click it once. Or drag it all over the place if you enjoy the "my two-year-old-did-this" look.
Now, go over to your layers again, and drop your opacity down until you think it looks right. Or not at all if you want your watermark to be on the obvious side.
Finally, merge your layers, and save your image. SAVE AS. Don't lose your original.
So freaking easy. :)
one thing though, 'cause i know i can with a tube, and 'cause i've not used ps for text before (only psp) how the *expletive* do i add a shadow on text in ps ???? lol i must be blind fgs lol. mind you i could do all this blindfolded in psp, but i WANT to know in ps :))
thanks again, you're a champ :)
Select your text layer, right click it and choose "blending options". It's all in there. :)
This was a 3D one I made for another tutorial:
Never thought to use a brush for watermarks, use them plenty for logos for banner ads though.
thanks, hopefully hehe
This is awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this.
And despite this custom brush, I still text my watermarks in ;)
if i stop before the step to make it a brush and save as a png, then can it be used in lightroom? or do i just move the images i want watermarked to ps and watermark it there? I wouldnt mind using lightroom for it, except there doesnt seem to much info or tutorials available ( ones that dont confuse me anyway)
thanks again, you really are the most helpful person on 365
Another question - when I flattened my custom brush, it turned white. Is that a problem? I saved it as a PSD. But the checkered boxes are gone? Does that mean its not transparent anymore?
Thanks for posting this thread!!! Is was a pain in the butt to make a new watermark each time!!!!
@gratefulkina That was for a (now defunct) private forum - sorry! I could possibly recreate it, but it is essentially just drop-shadows and such. Let me know if you need help with that and I'll add some more info!