The unit of measurement should be “Inches”. If it is not inches, click the drop-down menu next to “Width” and “Height” and select “Inches”. If you are using a print service, such as Vistaprint or Moo or a print shop, make sure you use their recommended Photoshop settings. You can even download a blank Photoshop file from their website. The bleed area ensures that the colours “bleed” out over the edges when the cards are cut. This prevents the white marks around the border of the card when it is cut.
It’s a good idea to save frequently while working in Photoshop. To save, click File in the menu bar, and then click Save or press Ctrl+S on PC, or ⌘ Command+S on Mac.
If you want to create a color-gradient fade, use the background color square to select the color you want the gradient fade to transition to. Then click the gradient tool, and click and drag across the entire area you want the color transition to take place. You can also select different gradient transition types in the upper-left corner of Photoshop.
You can also select the font style (i. e. bold or italic) and text size using the drop-down menu next to the Font menu. If the “Sample” text is hard to read, it’s probably not a good font for your business card. Keep your font consistent throughout your business card. Avoid using fonts that are too different from one another.
Be sure to pick a color that’s easy to read against your background color. If your background color is dark, pick a light colored font. If your background color is light, pick a dark colored font.
To move your text, click your text with the Move tool and drag it to where you want to go. To adjust the size of your text, select the Move tool, then click a text item to select it. Click one of the small boxes in the corners around the text and drag it to adjust the size. Hold ⇧ Shift to keep the size proportional. Then click the checkmark icon at the top of Photoshop to apply the changes. To align your text. Click the move tool. Hold ⇧ Shift and click all the text items you want to align. Then click one of the icons with a square and a rectangle and a line. Look at how the square and the rectangle are arranged with the line to see how the icon will arrange your text items (i. e. The icon with the line to the left of the square and rectangle will arrange the text items evenly to the left. The one with the line down the center of the square and the rectangle will center the text items). Your business card should have your name at the top in large letters. Then add your position below your name in small text. Place your contact information on separate lines using medium-small text. Make sure your text items are properly aligned to whichever side of the card they are on. Keep your text items at least 1/8 of an inch away from the bleed area.
If you don’t see the Layer tab, click Window in the menu bar at the top, and make sure “Layers” is checked.
You can also download and add new brushes to Photoshop.
If you make a mistake, click Edit in the menu bar at the top, and then click Undo to undo what you just did. You can also click the icon that resembles an eraser in the menu bar and use it to erase your work.
If the image is placed on top of any text, click the layer that contains the image in the Layer menu to the right. Drag the layer below all text layers in the Photoshop file.
You can also press Ctrl+P to print on PC, or ⌘ Command+P on Mac.
