How to Add Backgrounds Using Adobe Photoshop CS3

Using Adobe Photoshop to create a background for use on a web page, in e-mail or on a printed page is not difficult. You can can use Photoshop to create almost any background you can imagine.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop
• A web page design program or a text editor
• A graphics design program

1. Open the image you plan to use as a background in Photoshop and immediately "Save As" the file as a .jpg under a different name.

2. Use a combination of cropping and resizing to get the image to the size, resolution and mode (RGB, CMYK) you've chosen for your new background. Save the file.

3. Use Photoshop to presize any additional graphic elements you want to include. Use File > Place to import those graphics into your background file. Use Photoshop's "Text Tool" to add text to your background. Save your file. See notes.

4. Click Layer > Flatten Image. All the layers will collapse into the background layer. Save the file.

5. Shrink Photoshop down to an icon on your task bar and open your web design software, your favorite text editor (if you are familiar with HTML) or your graphics design program (e.g., Adobe InDesign®) if you're designing for print media.

6. Create the file you intend to design and place your new background into your design.

Tips & Warnings

• You want to "Save As" your file to avoid inadvertently saving over your original image. Photoshop gives you the option to change the measurement unit displayed by the rulers. If you are creating something for the web, work with pixels; if you are creating a piece you plan to print or have printed professionally, work in inches, picas or metric. Photoshop creates exceptionally large files. To help keep their size down, create your design at, or just slightly above, the required resolution. Every time you paste or place a graphic or type onto a Photoshop image, the program creates a new "layer" for it. Before you flatten the image, save your work as a native Photoshop file (.psd), including all the layers. Flattening the image merges all the layers, reducing the file size, but taking away your ability to make changes. Saving the file in a native Photoshop format before you flatten it preserves your ability to make changes later.
• If you are designing for a professionally printed medium, make sure you use Photoshop's "Mode" command to change the image mode from RGB to CMYK, or your printer may not be able to work with your file.