How to Create a Deckle Edge On An Image Using Photoshop

This article will walk you step by step through the process of applying a deckle edge to an image using Photoshop.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Photos or images
• Photoshop software

1. 
    
   Beginning photo

   Open image.

2. Save image as a different file to preserve original image. Do this by File>Save As. Be sure to save often.

3. Convert Background to a layer by double-clicking on the Background layer in the Layers palette and changing it’s name. This makes the layer editable.

4. Choose a large brush. The watercolor brush works well with this project.

5. Add a mask by clicking on the Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers palette

6. Type D and then X to change the foreground color to black.

7. 
    
   Photo has had edges painted to create the deckle edge

   Start painting around the edge of the image. This will start to hide areas of the active layer. It may be necessary to paint the edge a few times to ensure all of the edge is getting painted. You are not trying to make a smooth edge, rather you are striving to make a torn edge

8. 
    
   Layer Mask

   Before moving on, check the mask for black. Do this by Option/Alt-Click in the middle of the Layer Mask thumbnail that shows up to the right of the layer thumbnail for the active layer. (The active layer is the layer that is highlighted.) If any areas are gray, paint over those areas until you have a dark gray or black. To get back to viewing the main image again, Option/Alt-Click on the Layer Mask thumbnail.

9. 
    
   Photo with deckle edge and a pattern for the background

   When all the edge of the image is masked, place a pattern or solid color behind the image to show in the transparent areas. Do this by choosing Pattern from the Adjustment Layer pop-up menu a the bottom of the Layers palette. Choose your pattern and then click OK. Next, drag the pattern layer to the bottom of the layers stack.

10. Sharpen the mask to make it look a bit more defined. Click on the Layer Mask icon of the top layer to make it active and then choose Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask. Use the standard default settings of Amount:100, Radius:1, and Threshold: 0.

11. 
     
    Photo with white edge

    To make the photo look like this is really torn paper, add a white edge. Do this by Command/Ctrl-click on the Layer Mask on the top layer. Create a new layer under the image layer by Command/Ctrl-clicking on the new layer icon. Choose Select>Modify>Expand and use 4 pixels. Set the foreground color to white and type Command>Ctrl-H to hide the selection and paint around the edge of the image. Keep the brush on the inside of the image with just a little bit of the brush extending beyond the edge of the image.

12. 
     
    Completed photo

    For more emphasis, add a drop shadow layer style. Do this by having the white paper edge layer still active, choose Drop Shadow from the Layer Style pop-up menu at the bottom of the Layers palette. Use the default settings or play with the settings to get the desired effect. If the drop shadow is not showing up around the entire image, then go back to the Brush tool and continue painting with white around the edge of the image.

13. Sharpen the paint layer to give the paper edge a nice crisp look. With the paper edge still active, type Command/Ctrl-D to deselect the hidden selection, and then type Command/Ctrl-F to apply the last filter you used.

14. Your image is now ready to be printed.

Tips & Warnings

• Save often
• Save original image or photo under a different file name to preserve the original
• When painting, paint only a small area at a time. That way if you do not like what you painted you can use the Ctrl+Alt+Z keys to instantly step backward.