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I am assuming that you can work in PSP or whatever graphic program you use. This is the creative part of making a stationery. [You can highlight this tutorial and print if you need to.] This is a very simple way of making a background. If you already have an idea of how to make the graphic strip, it is okay to go your own way. Once it is completed, please make sure its dimensions are 1500px X 400px.
1 Find a tube of choice
Duplicate it (Shift + D) and close original.
(click thumbnail)
2 Resize if needed:
Settings:
Resize all layers = checked
Lock aspect ratio = checked
Resample using = Bicubic
Width = No more than 400 pixels
Height = No more than 385 pixels
(Take the longest side of your graphic and reduce to the width or
height needed. The other will automatically adjust and your graphic
should not be distorted.)
3 Using your dropper [color chooser tool] choose a color from your graphic for the background.
See on the above screenshot I chose to use a yellow color.
4 Edit/Copy [graphic or tube] or use ctrl-C
5 File/New ( A new image, white background)
Settings:
Width = 1500 pixels (this is viewable in the newer wider monitors)
Height = 400 pixels (the height of your graphic)
Raster Background
Color depth: 16 million colors (24 bit)
Transparent: Checked
(click on thumbnail)
5 Flood new image with background color.
(click on thumbnail)
6 Selections/Select All
7 Edit/Paste/Paste into Selection the copy of your graphic. (Remember it is in your memory from when we did the ctrl-C.)
(click on thumbnail)
8 Selections/Select None
9 Adjust/Blur/Gaussian Blur
Settings: 20
(click on thumbnail)
10 At this point you can add texture settings or filter effects you like. This is optional.
11 Effects/Image Effects/Seamless Tiling
Settings: Default (click on black arrow
to return to default setting)
(click on thumbnail)
12 Layers/New Raster Layer
13 Layers/Arrange/Send to bottom
14 Flood fill with the background color. Right click to fill. (Use same color as you did the original background.)
15 Layers/Merge/Merge All Flatten
16 Lower the opacity of this layer to a text friendly setting. (Usually around 50 to 70)
17. Edit/Paste/Paste as new layer your tube or graphic.
18. Move your tube or graphic to the left side to your liking.
19. Add a drop shadow of choice. Do not add a
drop shadow if using a misted tube.
Effects/3D Effects/Drop Shadow
Settings:
V & H: 1
Opacity:65
Blur:5
Color:Black
Shadow on New Layer: Not checked
20 Add your watermark or any credits for the graphic.
21 Layers/Merge/Merge All flatten
22 Files/Export/JPEG Optimizer [Be sure to name and save to your stationery class folder as a jpg.]