• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
ScrapGirls
  • SHOP
  • LEARN HOW
  • BLOG
  • FORUM
  • CHAT
  • CONTACT US
Select Page
Home / All Posts / Using Swatches to Color ScrapSimple Templates

Using Swatches to Color ScrapSimple Templates

Using Swatches to Color Templates - Intro Banner

When I was preparing for this tutorial, I thought back over some of the conversations that I’ve had with other digital scrapbookers. One of the topics that came up was using color swatches to color templates. So, let’s walk through how to find a swatch, how to load it into Photoshop, and how to use it once you get it there.

First, my favorite place to find swatches is Adobe Color. Here you can search by keyword or browse by most popular, most used, or random. Once you find a swatch that you like, hover over the swatch and click Download. You will need to create a free account, but it’s quick and easy and totally worth it!

Now that you’ve downloaded a swatch, open Photoshop and go to Edit> Preset Manager. In the drop-down menu, choose Swatches.

How to load a swatch to photoshop using the Preset Manager

The first thing I do is click on the first colored square, hold down the Shift key, and click on the last colored square. That should put a bold black line around each of the boxes. Now click Delete to get rid of all of the extra colors. From there, click on Load and navigate to where your computer saved your swatch file. You’ll need to change the file type to Swatch Exchange (*.ASE) to locate the swatch you downloaded from the Adobe Color site.

How to save your color swatch

Once your swatch is loaded, if you click Done and then open your Swatches Palette (Window> Swatches), you should see something like this:

The Swatches Panel in Photoshop

To color a ScrapSimple paper using your swatch, follow these easy steps:

  1. Open the paper you want to color, and save it with a new name so you don’t overwrite the original. Now close the original, just to be safe.
  2. Select a layer and add a Layer Style by double-clicking on the layer to open the Layer Style box. Choose Color Overlay. Click on the color box to open the Color Picker. Click on the color you want from your Swatches Palette.
  3. Repeat Step 2 for each layer.

Coloring a template using the Layer Style Box

With the paper that I chose that was all I had to do. Some papers have texture that you don’t want to lose. If that’s the case, experiment with the Blending modes in your Color Overlay box.

We also have a mini tutorial for PSE 11+ users:

Using Color Swatches to Color ScrapSimple Templates for PSE 11+

A finished digital scrapbook page with a template colored with a color swatch

As you play with using swatches to color templates, be show us your beautiful color combinations on the Scrap Girls Digital Scrapbooking Forum.

Digital Scrapbooking Products Used:

ScrapSimple Paper Templates - Sports Covers

ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Sports Covers

Monica Lebsack_400

Tutorial written by Monica Lebsack

Welcome to the SG Design Shop Blog - where modern memory keeping meets heritage scrapbooking! Here you'll find digital products and all the inspiration you need to complete your projects.

subscribe-imgTo our Free Newsletter

Search the blog

Favorite Categories


Learn How Sidebar Badge
Tutorials Sidebar Badge
hybrid projects sidebar button
art journaling sidebar button
mobile scrapping sidebar button
planners sidebar button

Connect with us

SG Facebook Image

Partners

Qwiklearn -The easiest way to learn digital scrapbooking!

Adobe Photoshop Affiliate Badge

Links

  • About Us
  • Storefront
  • Terms of Use
  • FAQs

HELP

  • Contact Us
  • Email

FOLLOW US

     

© 2023 Scrap Girls - All Rights Reserved.Privacy PolicySite Map