Create a postage stamp

In this tutorial we will create a postage stamp out of a Photograph using simple tools of PhotoShop.

In this tutorial there are 16 steps to create an image like this left besides. very interesting isn't it?
If you are interested in studying, so follow this tutorial ..

 

Step 1:

Open a High Quality Photograph in PhotoShop.

Step 2: 

Now duplicate this Background layer as this layer is blocked so no changes can be done to it. To duplicate the Layer just right click on the Layer and select the Duplicate Layer option in the drop down menu. Make the original background layer invisible.

Step 3: 

Select the Crop Tool from the Tool Box and crop the unnecessary area from the Background Copy Layer.

Step 4: 

Now we will expand of the photograph since we want to include the border of the stamp. To do so, select the crop tool again and bring the mouse pointer to any one corner. Now press Shift + Alt and expand the photograph. We do so to expand the photograph proportionally.

Step 5: 

Now we will create a new layer, this will be the background for the whole stamp so fill it with any dark color.

Step 6: 

Select the Paint Bucket Tool from the Tool Box as fill the color in the new Layer.

Step 7: 

Create another new layer as taught in the previous step. Now select the Rectangle Tool from the Tool Box as shown below and make a rectangle filled with white color behind the photograph. The rectangle should be bigger than the photograph as it forms the base of the border of the stamp.

Step 8: 

Select the Rectangle Shape Layer and right click on it to select the raterize Layer option as shown below.

Step 9: 

Now we will give the border to our stamp. For this select the Load Selection option from the Select Menu.

Step 10: 

Go to the Path Palette as shown below and click on the arrow sign on the top right corner to get a drop down menu, just select the Make Work Path option. This will make the edges of the Rectangle a Work Path.

Step 11: 

Select the Brush Tool from the Tool Box as shown below.

Step 12: 

Go to the Brush Palette and do the following shown changes.

Note: these values are for the photograph I have used, you have to experiment with the values to get the desired effect with different pictures.

Step 13: 

Create a new layer. This layer will be used to cut edges of the stamp.

Step 14: 

Select the Path Selection Tool from the Tool box as shown below or use the shortcut key A.

Click on the Rectangle to select its path.

Step 14: 

Right click on the path and select the Stroke Path option.

Change the Tool to brush.

Your photograph should look like this:

Step 15: 

Keep Layer 2 selected and then select the Load Selection option from the Select Menu.

Now go to the layer on which you had drawn the rectangle (Stamp Border for me) and press delete key twice.

Step 16: 

Select Layer 2 and delete it by right clicking on it and selecting the Delete Layer option.

Finish. Here is your stamp.