If you need to make a personalized poster, Photoshop is the most versatile choice there is. This tutorial will show you how to create a simple poster in Photoshop, from setting up the document to combining graphics and text.
I will be using a red curtain texture and a silhouette of a dancing couple to create a simple event or business poster
Launch Photoshop and start a new document (File>New). Some of the
standard poster sizes are 8.5” x 11," 11” x 17," 18” x 24," 24” x 36,”
and 27” x 40." For this tutorial, I will pick the small 8.5” x 11."
Before confirming, set the color mode to CMYK with a 300 pixels/inch
resolution.
Enable Photoshop’s rulers (View>Rulers). Right click on the rulers
and set the unit to inches. I will create a margin of 0.125” for each
border to ensure nothing will be cut off after printing.
Click on the vertical ruler and drag to set the first guide to 0.125”
and the second to 8.375." Repeat for the horizontal ruler, setting a
guide to 0.125” and the other to 10.875." No element of your design
should extend over these margins.
Open the background image — in this case, the curtain texture. Right
click on the background’s layer and choose Duplicate. From the menu,
select the poster’s document as a destination. Use the transform tool
(Edit>Transform) to adjust the background’s size to the poster’s area
and confirm when you are done.
Open the dancing couple image. Turn it into an editable layer
(Layer>New>Layer from Background). With the help of the Magic Wand
tool, select the white background and then hit the back space to detach
the silhouettes from it. Duplicate the detached graphics’ layer to the
original poster document, over the curtain background.
Duplicate the silhouettes’ layer and move it under the original
graphics. Change its blend mode to Multiply and lower the opacity to
about 25 percent. Enlarge the graphics with the transform
(Edit>Transform>Scale) so they occupy a good portion of the
background’s area.
Grab the Gradient tool from Photoshop’s toolbar and select a black to
transparent radial gradient. Position the pointer in the central area
of the poster and drag to create a dark vignette around the borders.
Don’t overdo it. Keep it subtle. The vignette should emphasize the
important elements of the design, not conceal them. Change the
vignette’s blend mode to multiply and slightly lower its opacity if
necessary.
To add a little depth to the poster, add a soft outer glow
(Layer>Layer Style>Outer Glow) to the dancing couple’s layer.
Choose a light red color, set the size to 100 and lower the opacity to
20 percent. The effect should be faint enough to blend nicely with the
background.
Use the Type tool to add textual information. Write a tagline that is
relevant to the message you intend to convey and place it where it’s
easy to spot. This will attract the viewer’s attention as much as the
visuals.
Arrange the text so it’s easy to read and it comfortably leads the
eye from one line to the next. Apply effects to the layers containing
the text, like glows, drop shadows, or gradients, so they are prominent
against the background.
Remember to include all the essential details about your event or offer — but leave something to the viewer’s imagination.
This is a preview of the final poster.
Posters can increase any business’ visibility and make them stand out
from the competition. Choose beautiful graphics, devise a clear
message, arrange images carefully, and choose a reliable printer
: This way you will be sure to make an impression on your potential audience.
Edited in Photoshop CS5. Images courtesy of Moi Cody, KornKidSamStock, RedWolf518
By Kristi Maddox
Wonderful article. All the important points are covered in this blog. You can also check my blog for : personalized poster
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