PLAN:Choose a picture and create an idea of what your card will look like. Think of size, shape, borders, added graphics and text, as well as lay out. Sometimes we can draw what we want ahead of time other times it evolves as we go. To know what size to crop your picture to you need to choose a final canvas size: usually 4 X 6, 6 X 4, 5 X 7, 7X5 or you can go 3.5” X 7 or there about to make a long skinny card. Really you just want it to fit in an envelope. You can add snowflakes or other graphics saved from the internet.

CROP: the picture once you have chosen your canvas size, think of composition rule of thirds to how you will place the picture. For example to the right or left, top or bottom, or to fill the card?

Example: I want to make a 3.5” X 7 card so I will crop my image small enough to place on the left, resolution of 180

EDIT: Full Meal Deal – Photoshop work flow

Flatten Image

ADD BORDERS AND CREATE CANVAS SIZE:

If you want multiple borders work inside out through Image/Canvas Size – background colour and finally canvas extension

Example:

I wanted a border on the left : Image/Canvas size … see below what I selected. I made my new canvas just a bit wider and moved the image to the right. To choose the colour I click on the image with the eyedropper to find a colour that complements the image. See the effect below:

The next step is again done through Image/Canvas Size

Result

Add text with text tool, you can also add Inner Glow , emboss etc from blending otions, or you can arch or wave text

Blending

options: Make sure text layer is chosen on plalet, click on Fx on the bottom of pallet then choose option

Final Image: Before printing you must flatten image (layer- flatten image) and save as a JPEG

Tips to consider: text should be placed, sized and coloured in a way that the picture does not interfere with reading the letters

Consider the rule of thirds and other composition rules when putting design together.

Needs attention developing Good Very Good ExemplaryText 1 2 3 4 5Border 1 2 3 4 5Photo: “Wow factor” 1 2 3 4 5Card Composition:Rule of thirds etc

1 2 3 4 5

Card Creativity 1 2 3 4 5Level of Difficulty 1 2 3 4 5