How to Create & Print Play Money

You can create your own play money through Photoshop or play money generators on-line.

Using programs like Photoshop, you can choose to create play currency for educational purposes or for replacing the money in a board game. You can also choose to incorporate a picture of your child, a favorite destination or something else entirely. Remind any small children that the money is intended for playing only, and it should not be used to attempt to purchase any items.

Things You'll Need

• Photoshop
• Internet
• Computer
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paper
• Printer

Instructions

1. Search for an image of money on-line. Save the picture you desire and give the file a name that you will remember. Open Photoshop and select "File" from the upper left corner. Click "Open" and click on the money photo you wish to use.

2. Right-click the layer in the "Layers" palette and select "Layer from Background." Click on "File" from the upper left corner of the Photoshop browser and select "Open." Select a picture of yourself, a friend, or another picture and click "OK" to open it.

3. Right-click the layer in the "Layers" palette again and select "Duplicate layer." Set the dollar file as the "Destination" in the pop-up dialog that appears and click "OK." Click on the dollar layer in the "Layers" palette and set the opacity to 30 percent by sliding and dragging the "Opacity" scale in the "Layers" palette.

4. Select the "Move" tool to place your desired photo over the image on the dollar. From your toolbar, pick "Magnetic Selection" to click and outline your desired photo. This will remove the extra parts of the photo when you click "Delete" on the keyboard. Click on the dollar layer in the "Layers" palette again and set the opacity from 30 percent to 100 percent.

5. Select "File" and then "Save." Give the file a name that you will remember. Select "File" again and click "Print" to print your play money. Use scissors to cut around the edges of the dollar, removing it from the rest of the sheet of paper before adding it to your play money collection.

Tips & Warnings

• If you unintentionally delete more of your image than you would like when using the Magnetic Selection tool, simply go to "File" and click "Undo." Use the Magnetic Selection tool again to draw an outline around your image.

• Duplicating money for actual use is a violation of federal law that could result in fines and imprisonment.

References

• MIT: "Introduction to Photoshop"

Resources

• Personalized Money
• Emmett Lollis: "Photoshop Tutorial - Create your own coin!"