Getting Started with a Template

For those of you who use photoshop and even the elements to scrap with, this tutorial should walk you through the basic steps of using a template to create a layout-with tips of making it your own!

For starters, I am providing you with a FREE template to play with.  This was given away in a previous newsletter, so if you haven't subscribed, click HERE to do so.  I give away a freebie every week, in my newsletter.

Click HERE to download the template.

Now open up your template folder and pick the kit you want to use.  I will be using my kit, "Simply Spring" for this demonstration.

Each of my templates come in three file formats:  psd/tiff/png.  In photoshop and elements (I believe) you can use all three.  I like using the tiff formatted, one, but either the psd or tiff open up the same.  The png file is for those who aren't using a program that will support layered files.

Open up your template:

Highlight the very bottom layer (to the right on your layer palette).  This is the grey layer on this template.  Now to to your top menu and click File>>Place  and pull up the paper you want to use to cover this layout.

You can merge down on this layer to merge it with the template layer.

Now highlight the next layer, which is the yellow piece and pull in another paper.

Right click on the highlighted layer (the one with the grey paper) and click "Clipping Mask" from the drop down menu.  This will clip that paper to the yellow template piece.  Then right click again and choose "merge down".


The shadowing is automatic on this layer because you are clipping to the layer with the shadow, rather than replacing it.  If you would like to change out the shadows to your own, you may.