How to Create CD and DVD Labels in Photoshop Elements

Personalize your DVD and CD labels to set apart your disks and make them uniquely your own. The best way of doing this is to include your own image and titles on the label. For instance, if you want to personalize the DVD of your vacation to Yellowstone Park, you can create a label featuring a picture of Old Faithful. Using any image and following these six steps, it is possible to create a customized DVD/CD label in PhotoShop Elements.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Photoshop Elements
• JPEG mage
• Self-adhesive labels
• Label-making software

Instructions

Create Custom DVD/CD Lablel

1. Open a new Photoshop Elements file by choosing "File" > "New" > "Blank File." Name the file "CD Label." Set the width at 4.6 inches and the height at 4.6 inches. Set the resolution at 300.

2. Choose "Elliptical Marquee" from the toolbar or by pressing "M." Hold down "Shift" while dragging from the upper-left corner of the image box to the lower-right. Holding "Shift" down while dragging will create a circle.

3. Open the image you wish to use as your background. Choose "Move Tool" from the toolbar or by pressing "V." Drag your image into the "CD Label" window; resize and/or move the image until it fills the canvas and is situated as you desire. Keep in mind that when your label is printed, a circle will be cut out of the middle of your picture for the center hole in the disk.

4. Invert your selected area by choosing "Select" > "Inverse" or by holding down "Shift" and "Control" and then pressing "I." Press "Backspace" to remove unneeded portion on the image. Hold "Control" and press "D" to deselect.

5. Add text by choosing "Text Tool" from the toolbar or by pressing "T." Type your text. Resize it by choosing "Move Tool" and dragging on the corners of the textbox. Using the move tool, place it where you desire. If you want the text to wrap around the image, choose your text layer, then at the top of the workspace choose the "T" with the arc under it. Choose "Style" > "Arc" and "Horizontal."

6. Save the file as a "PSD" for future editing and then "Save As" a "JPEG" for exporting to label-making software.

7. Import your file into label-making software, which is available free from Memorex or other label manufacturers, in order to print your custom disk label.