Article written using Adobe Photoshop CS5 with Windows 7
On most of my digital scrapbooking layouts, I find myself using an edger at some point. Sometimes, it’s just a simple outlining of the layout in a straight stitch using Dynamic Brush Set: Basic Stitching 4901 Biggie. Other times, I use a ScrapSimple product like ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgers Biggie. Using either product can be very straightforward – place it and you’re done – but they add a finishing touch to a digital scrapbooking layout.
In this tutorial, I want to show you several other quick and easy ways to use edgers. In these first examples, I placed the edger and then used blending modes to make it fit the layout. When using blending modes, the second grouping (Darken, Multiply, etc.) makes the white pixels transparent, while the third grouping (Lighten, Screen, etc.) makes the black pixels transparent.
Digital Scrapbook Layout Tutorial: Grouping of blending modes in Photoshop.
In these examples, I used ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Trashed Edges 1 and Sunshine Bouquet Solid Paper. In the first image, I used the template as is and just adjusted the blending modes. Notice that the template is light in the middle and dark on the edges, so I used blending modes in the second grouping (specifically, Multiply and Color Burn).
Digital Scrapbook Layout Tutorial: Examples of different darker types of blending modes.
For the second image, I needed to make a quick change to the template. I wanted a lighter edge, so I needed the colors reversed, dark in the middle and light on the edges. To reverse them, I rasterized the layer (Layer > Rasterize > Smart Object) and then pressed Ctrl+I. I also switched to a darker paper to better see the effects. From there, I used blending modes in the third grouping (specifically, Linear Dodge and Screen).
Digital Scrapbook Layout Tutorial: Examples of different lighter types of blending modes.
If you can’t get the color that you are looking for with blending modes, another option is to use Layer Styles. You can play around with the Layer Styles options yourself or use pre-made styles from the PS & PSE Styles section in the Boutique.
Digital Scrapbook Layout Tutorial: Use Layer Styles to color the edges of a layout.
The next example shows a basic color change using the Color Overlay option, along with two pre-made styles, ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Grungalicious Distress Biggie 8501 and Value Pack: Everyday Glitters.
Digital Scrapbook Layout Tutorial: Use the Color Overlay blending mode option with a Layer Style.
As you can see, I chose to add glitter to the edger in my layout. As you play around with different edgers, be sure to share your creativity with us in the Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking Forum Gallery.
Layout by Monica Lebsack
Tutorial by Monica Lebsack
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