Creating a Rubber Stamp Brand
Skill Level: Basic
Programs Used: Photoshop 5+
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This is a great-looking effect for use on anything! I have applied it
to an imaginary Web Site's Header, but you can really use it on any Graphic
that may need it. To create it you will need Photoshop version 5 or above.
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| 1. Start with a canvas a fair bit larger than the size you
intend to use. Mine was 300 pixels wide and 100 high.
2. Create a text layer with the type tool 
and enter the text you wish to have in your rubber stamp. Mine was "Updated".
Generally the thicker the font is the better looking so use Arial Black,
Impact, or something similar (or you can try a font with the BOLD option
turned on.
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3. Use the marquee tool 
to create a rectangular selection around your text. GO to the EDIT menu
and select Stroke. Use settings as I have here.
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4. Once you have completed these steps your image should look similar
to this:
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| 5. Render all text layers by right-clicking
the "T" in text layers and selecting RENDER LAYER and merge all
layers (except the Background Layer) by using the MERGE DOWN (CTRL + E)
command found in the LAYER Menu. Basically select the uppermost layer and
merge down so that the layer underneath is added to the currently selected
layer. (If you don't do this properly just undo it). |
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6. With the layer selected which is holding your text and rectangle,
go to the FILTER menu and select DISTORT > GLASS. Again use settings
as I have here but depending on the thickness of your symbols you may
need to fiddle with the distortion value.
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7. The Glass filter creates the effect of distortion on your image by
altering the outside lines making up your symbols and then inserting your
background color into the area it has shifted (it may be handy to make
sure that your background color is almost always white). We are going
to remove these white areas. Go to the SELECT menu and click on COLOR
RANGE. Using the eyedropper, click on a white area on your image, then
click OK. You should see that your image now has a selection everywhere
there are white values on your image. Hit DELETE on your keyboard.
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| 8. You should now be able to resize your Rubber Stamp to an adequate
proportion to the image you want to paste it on top of. I reduced
mine down to 100 pixels wide and then copied it and pasted it into
an imaginary Heading for a web site "Andrews Web Site". |
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TIP!
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To resize an
image quickly, right click the canvas' title bar and then select
"Image Size" |
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| To create a more interesting look - like it has been stamped
onto a document we are going to tilt the "Updated" layer slightly. |
| 9. Make sure that layer is still selected and then go to Edit > Free
Transform which will then create a set of handles around the non-transparent
areas of your layer. |
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10. Use the mouse and move it just outside of one of the corner handles.
Notice how the cursor changes to a rounded line with an arrow on either
side of the line. Click and drag the layer to one side so it tilts. Then
you are ready to use your newly Rubber-stamped image!
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