How to Create a Newsletter Graphic in Photoshop

Whether they're online only or printed into hard copy handouts, newsletters are still an ideal way to get the word out about upcoming events, sales promotions and other information. To capture attention with a newsletter requires an eye-grabbing graphic. Make a newsletter graphic in Adobe Photoshop, a graphics software package that contains just about everything artistically required to help your audience read all about it.

Instructions

1. Open Adobe Photoshop, click the "File" menu and select "New." Type "Newsletter" into the "Name" box. Type the dimensions for the graphic into the "Width" and "Height" boxes, such as "3" for each for a graphic logo for the cover. Select "inches" from each drop-down menu. Select "Transparent" from the "Background Contents" menu and click the "OK" button.

2. Right-click an icon appearing as a gray rectangle, gray circle, line or gray star near the bottom of the "Tools" column. Select "Custom Shape Tool" from the fly-out menu.

3. Click the "Shape" menu on the new toolbar at the top of the work area. Choose a shape for the newsletter graphic, such as a light bulb for a hot tips section or a paw print for an animal feature.

4. Click into the "Color" box also on the toolbar. Choose a color for the graphic, such as one of the newsletter's main theme shades, and click the "OK" button.

5. Click the "Newsletter" box on the screen and hold down the left mouse button. Drag until the shape is the desired size or fills the box and release the mouse. The shape appears and fills with color.

6. Add text to the graphic by clicking the "T" icon on the "Tools" column. Select a font, text size and color that contrasts with the shape color from the toolbar. Click the graphic area and type, such as the newsletter's name, column title or other short slogan.

7. Click the "File" menu and select "Save As." Pull down the "Format" menu and click "GIF," then click the "Save" button.

References

• University of Washington: Photoshop Drawing