Monday, May 28, 2012

how to make a transparent image {tutorial}

As a precursor to my watermark post, I'm going to show you how to make a transparent image to use as a watermark or signature!  I'll be using GIMP, a Photoshop-like-program that allows working with transparencies and layers.

First, open a new, transparent, image {I like to adjust mine to 300 px/in}:


Then chose the "Font Tool" and select a font {I'm using Sketch Rockwell}:


Type your text and adjust size and color if desired {since I'm making a watermark, I'm choosing white}:


Add other images/doodles {I'm using the letter "I" from Pea Betsy's Doodles font, then choosing "Flip Horizontal" to change the orientation}


Adjust positioning by using the "Move Tool" {I also freehanded a dotted line using a brush I made with adjusted spacing}:


When all layers are in position, crop image to selected size:


Then, this is where the newest GIMP is a little odd, choose "Export" to save the file as a ".png", this will allow you to keep the transparent background:


Type the name for the file followed by ".png" to save the image and you're done!


I'll be back tomorrow with how to add your new watermark to your images!

2 comments:

  1. Such a great tutorial Jennie! I didn't know about Pea Betsy's Doodles - what a great resource.

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  2. You make it sound so easy! I don't have GIMP; would it work similarly on other programs?

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