Rubber Stamp

Rubber Stamp

Creating a Rubber Stamp Brand
Skill Level: Basic
Programs Used: Photoshop 5+

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.

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.

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.

4. Once you have completed these steps your image should look similar to this:

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).

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.

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.

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".

TIP!

To resize an image quickly, right click the canvas' title bar and then select "Image Size"

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.

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!

Creating a Rubber Stamp Brand Skill Level: Basic Programs Used: Photoshop 5+

Creating a Rubber Stamp Brand
Skill Level: Basic
Programs Used: Photoshop 5+