Photoshop Templates for Photographers

Using Our Templates

How to unzip files on a Mac

Extracting the files from an archive is as easy as double-clicking it - the files and/or folders will be deposited in the same location as the zip, and the zip can then be deleted. If the zip uses password protection you’ll be prompted via a pop-up dialog box.

How to unzip files on a PC

Do one of the following: To extract a single file or folder, double-click the compressed folder to open it. Then, drag the file or folder from the compressed folder to a new location. To extract the entire contents of the compressed folder, right-click the folder, click Extract All, and then follow the instructions.

Adding Images

  1. Open the template. Click on the first Photo Mask > (highlighted in blue) thatyou'd like to add a photo to.
    The template we use in this tutorial is our Love and Laughter Collage. It is available as a free download from our website.
  2. With the Photo Mask selected, go to File > Place > Choose your desired image and click Place
    You can create a keyboard shortcut for the "Place" command. Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts. Click on the gray arrow next to "File" to expand. Select "Place" and a text box will appear. Choose your shortcut. We used "Ctrl + H" or "Cmd + H" because we never used the previous shortcut. You will be warned that you are overwriting, click Accept. You're shortcut is ready!
  3. Your photo will be placed directly above the Photo Mask Layer in the layers palette. Right click on your image, and select Create Clipping Mask.
    Elements Users can use .. Control + G" (Cmd + G for MAC users), to create the Clipping Mask.
  4. Your image has now been dropped into the Photo Mask. To resize the image, use the Free Transform Tool > Ctrl + T or Cmd + T. While holding down the Shift Key, drag from one of the four corners to resize your image. (Holding down the Shift Key > will keep your image in proportion.) Press Enter/Return > when done resizing. With your move tool selected, you can move the photo around within the Photo Mask to position as desired. You can use the arrow keys for more precise adjustments.

Guides and Bleed Area

The area outside the Safety Line is the Bleed Area. Be sure to extend your images or background all the way to allow for bleed. This area could be trimmed by the printer, so keep all important elements inside the Safety Line.
**The Guide Lines will NOT show when printed.
If you don't see the blue guidelines, go to View > Show > Guides


Changing Text

To change the color of the text, make sure the Text Tool is selected, highlight the desired text, and click on the color box. Then choose your new color.
While the color window is open, you can hover your mouse over the image (or anything you have open in Photoshop) and your pointer will turn into an eyedropper, click to make your text match that color.


Changing Colors - Method #1: Color Fill

In the layers palette, some layers may have a Color Fill attached to them. Simply double click the color box. A pop up box will appear that says 'Pick a Solid Color'. Select your color and hit '0K'.
While the 'Pick a Solid Color' window is open, you can hover your mouse over the image (or anything open in Photoshop) and your pointer will turn into an eyedropper, click to match that color.


Changing Colors - Method #2: Paint Bucket

In the layers palette, select the layer you want to change the color of. Select the Paint Bucket Tool. Click on the Foreground Color Box. The Color Picker Box will open. Use the eyedropper tool to select the color you want to match. Push OK. Then click on the layer with your paint bucket.
You can use the Paint Bucket Tool to change one of the Photo Mask layers into a Color Block.


Changing Colors - Method #3: Hue and Saturation

  1. Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation (Cntrl+U or Cmd+U)
  2. From the 'Master' drop down menu, choose the color you want to change. In our example, I wanted to change the aqua flowers to a bright pink. I selected Cyans from the drop down menu.
  3. Move the "Hue" Slider to get the color you desire. Then adjust the "Saturation" and "Lightness" sliders to achieve your color. Make sure the "Preview" Box is selected so you can see the color changes as you work. Click OK when done.

Layer Style Effects

If a layer has an fx symbol on it, Layer Style Effects have been applied. To view the applied styles, drop down the arrow next to the layer. You can turn the effects off by toggling the eye, or double click to edit.

If you want to add Style Effects to a layer, select the layer in the layers palette and click on the fx symbol at the bottom of the layers palette.
Elements users, if a layer shows the fx symbol on it, right click the layer and select "Clear layer style" to clear the applied styles.