Tutorial for making a Sig (Easy) 6 Steps.

houzukimaru · 11/18/07, 01:31 PM

Tutorial on making a simple sig for Photoshop 7.0

You can download a free 30 day trial Here
The tutorial should work on other versions of photoshop and other programs such as Paintshop Pro, but you'll probably find the settings are different.

This tutorial is meant for everyone, but is especially for beginners who just want to make a simple sig.
If there's anything you don't understand, please tell me.

I know it's a pain having the click a link for each example, but they will probably help you, especially if you're a beginner.

Preparing your Image
First up, get your image.
I will be using this one found on photobucket.com

Secondly, sort out the size. You can change it to whatever size you want,
but I'll be using 475 x 225.
Go to image then image size, and resize the width to the one you want
(in my case, that's 475).

Example #1

You can then to to image and canvas size and change the height like that,
or you can copy the image, and when you open a new canvas, change the size so you can then choose where you want to clip it.

Improving Quality
Then you can start changing the color. First of all i'm going to try and improve the quality of the image a little.

Having a good quality image is important, as it'll make the result look much better.
There are a lot of ways to do this, but this is just the way I normally do it.
First of all i'll sort out the lighting. Go to Image, adjustments, then curves. You can then drag the line around until you like the lighting.
In this case I'll be darkening it, so I drag the line down.
I then go to layer, then duplicate it, then change the blend mode to overlay and lower the opacity.
(If you're missing layers, push F7 and it should appear.)

You can then go to Image > Adjustments and play around with the settings a bit.
On this image I added contrast (brightness/contrast) and saturation (hue/saturation)
Just experiment sliding the bars ^^

Example #2

I then duplicate the layer, and change the Blend Mode to Overlay. This should darken the image. I'll then change the opacity, to further improve the quality.

Example #3

Color Schemes
Then Time to set a color scheme!
I always use specific color schemes in all my sigs. The most important things are to make sure the colors match the image/theme, and make sure the colors match each other!
The color scheme i'll be using is Green/Blue.
First make a new layer, then choose your 2 colors (or your one color).
Set one on the first swatch, and the other on the background swatch (look at the picture if you don't get what I mean)
Then go to the gradient tool and choose your two colors. (If you don't have one, hold a click on the paint bucket tool and select it)
Then drag the gradient across your image. It should be a solid gradient.

Example #4

You can now have fun choosing how you want your color scheme to be. You can change the blend mode and opacity however you want.
Experiment with all different kinds.

I'll be setting mine to screen and opacity 74%

Example #5

Enchancing
If you're satisfied with your image already, you can skip this step.
You can use brushes to enchance your sig a little.
You can find & download brushes on a lot of different sites, such as Brusheezy.com and deviantart.com
(the ones I use in the tutorial are all from deviantart)

Create a new layer in case anything goes wrong, then put a few brushes down.
You can then change the blend mode and opacity again so it suits.
Place down them carefully, don't just slop them everywhere.

Example #6

Text
One of the most important things is making sure the font suits.
Sometimes the simpler the better. I'm going to be using Times New Roman, which you all probably know is the most common default font out there.
Make sure the actual text you write on it matches the sig too. No point putting a picture of someone crying with "Jelly time!" written on it.
I'm going to put the words 'Fly Away' on it.

Make sure the color matches the image too! You can use the color picker tool, or you can just use one of your gradient colors.

And with anything else, go wild with changing the layer style again!
I'll be keeping the blend mode on normal, but changing the opacity to 74%.

Example #7

Finishing Off
And then you're done! Flatten your image and save it. (I personally use .png)
You can also add a border by CTRL+A going to edit and stroke. Set the color and size, and make sure you check inside.
Then you can upload it to photobucket.com or imageshack.us and it's ready to use!

Final Product:

Hope everyone understood this and I hope it helps you in some way!

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11/18/07, 01:31 PM	#1
houzukimaru Keyblade Novice Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunagakure Posts: 94 Rep Power: 1	Tutorial for making a Sig (Easy) 6 Steps. Tutorial on making a simple sig for Photoshop 7.0 You can download a free 30 day trial Here The tutorial should work on other versions of photoshop and other programs such as Paintshop Pro, but you'll probably find the settings are different. This tutorial is meant for everyone, but is especially for beginners who just want to make a simple sig. If there's anything you don't understand, please tell me. I know it's a pain having the click a link for each example, but they will probably help you, especially if you're a beginner. Preparing your Image First up, get your image. I will be using this one found on photobucket.com Secondly, sort out the size. You can change it to whatever size you want, but I'll be using 475 x 225. Go to image then image size, and resize the width to the one you want (in my case, that's 475). Example #1 You can then to to image and canvas size and change the height like that, or you can copy the image, and when you open a new canvas, change the size so you can then choose where you want to clip it. Improving Quality Then you can start changing the color. First of all i'm going to try and improve the quality of the image a little. Having a good quality image is important, as it'll make the result look much better. There are a lot of ways to do this, but this is just the way I normally do it. First of all i'll sort out the lighting. Go to Image, adjustments, then curves. You can then drag the line around until you like the lighting. In this case I'll be darkening it, so I drag the line down. I then go to layer, then duplicate it, then change the blend mode to overlay and lower the opacity. (If you're missing layers, push F7 and it should appear.) You can then go to Image > Adjustments and play around with the settings a bit. On this image I added contrast (brightness/contrast) and saturation (hue/saturation) Just experiment sliding the bars ^^ Example #2 I then duplicate the layer, and change the Blend Mode to Overlay. This should darken the image. I'll then change the opacity, to further improve the quality. Example #3 Color Schemes Then Time to set a color scheme! I always use specific color schemes in all my sigs. The most important things are to make sure the colors match the image/theme, and make sure the colors match each other! The color scheme i'll be using is Green/Blue. First make a new layer, then choose your 2 colors (or your one color). Set one on the first swatch, and the other on the background swatch (look at the picture if you don't get what I mean) Then go to the gradient tool and choose your two colors. (If you don't have one, hold a click on the paint bucket tool and select it) Then drag the gradient across your image. It should be a solid gradient. Example #4 You can now have fun choosing how you want your color scheme to be. You can change the blend mode and opacity however you want. Experiment with all different kinds. I'll be setting mine to screen and opacity 74% Example #5 *Enchancing* If you're satisfied with your image already, you can skip this step. You can use brushes to enchance your sig a little. You can find & download brushes on a lot of different sites, such as Brusheezy.com and deviantart.com (the ones I use in the tutorial are all from deviantart) Create a new layer in case anything goes wrong, then put a few brushes down. You can then change the blend mode and opacity again so it suits. Place down them carefully, don't just slop them everywhere. Example #6 Text One of the most important things is making sure the font suits. Sometimes the simpler the better. I'm going to be using Times New Roman, which you all probably know is the most common default font out there. Make sure the actual text you write on it matches the sig too. No point putting a picture of someone crying with "Jelly time!" written on it. I'm going to put the words 'Fly Away' on it. Make sure the color matches the image too! You can use the color picker tool, or you can just use one of your gradient colors. And with anything else, go wild with changing the layer style again! I'll be keeping the blend mode on normal, but changing the opacity to 74%. Example #7 Finishing Off And then you're done! Flatten your image and save it. (I personally use .png) You can also add a border by CTRL+A going to edit and stroke. Set the color and size, and make sure you check inside. Then you can upload it to photobucket.com or imageshack.us and it's ready to use! Final Product: Hope everyone understood this and I hope it helps you in some way!