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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

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HowtoMakeaSpaceThemedBusinessCardinPhotoshop
AUG 242010 BYT O MASLAURINAVICIUS 24CO MMENT S

InthisPhotoshoptutorial,Iamgoingtodemonstratetoyouhowto designanalluringspacethemedbusinesscardthatisoutofthisworld. Withthistutorial,youwilllearnhowtocreateaspacebackdropwith starsandstardust(allfromscratch),utilizegreatlighteffectswithinyour work,andhowtostylizetext.Youwillbesurprisedtofindoutthatwe willonlyusebasicPhotoshoptoolsandtechniques. C ATE G O RI E S

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Author:TomasLaurinavicius
TomasLaurinaviiusisabloggeranddesignerfromLithuania.He'sinterestedinwebdesign, PhotoshopandWordPressdesign.YoucanfollowhimonTwitteroraddhimasafriendon Facebook.Getintouchwithhimifyouhaveinterestingprojectsyouwanttocollaborateon.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Clicktheimagebelowtoseethebusinesscardinfullsize.

TutorialResources
Font:NevisTypeface

Step1:CreateaNewPhotoshopDocument
OpenanewPhotoshopdocumentthatis3.75x2.25inches.MaketheResolutionto300pixels/inchandsettheColor ModetoCMYKColor8bitsothatitwillbereadyforprint. Thestandardsizeofabusinesscardis3.5x2inches,buttopreparethebusinesscardforprinting,thereneedstobe a1/4inchmarginalongtheedgesreferredtoasableedthatwillbetrimmedoffsothattheartworkextendstothe edgeofthebusinesscardwithoutgapswhenitisprintedandcut.(Readmoreaboutpreparingyourfilesforprint.)

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Step2:AddSomeGuides
WewillusePhotoshopguidestodelineateourbleedareaversuslivearea.Wewilladdguidesatallsidesofthe canvastoshowwherethebleedareais.Toaddguides,selectView>NewGuide.

Addthefollowing4guides: Orientation Vertical Vertical Horizontal Horizontal Position 0.125in(leftguide) 3.625in(rightguide) 0.125in(topguide) 2.125(bottomguide)

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Note:youmustchangeyourunitsfrompixelstoincheswheneveryouareworkingwithprintmaterialsbecausethis absoluteunitofmeasurementisastandardforprinters.ChangeyourunitsofmeasurementbygoingtoEdit> Preferences>Units&Rulers.Alternatively,youcanrightclickonyourruler(View>Rulers)asshownbelow.

Step3:CreatetheGradientBackground
Nowwearegoingtoaddthebluepurplecolorgradientbackgroundusingsomedifferenttools.First,choosethe GradientTool(G)fromtheToolsPanelandthensetthestyletoLinearGradientintheOptionsBar. Thensetthegradienttogofromblue(#4580c2)topurple(#91469b)andthenfilltheBackgroundlayerusingthe GradientToolbydraggingfromtherighttopcornertotheleftbottomcornerofyourcanvas,makingadiagonalcolor gradient.

Step4:MakeSomeStarsinPhotoshop
Toimitateouterspace,weneedstars.Createanewlayerforyourstars(Shift+Ctrl/Cmd+N),nameit"Stars"sothat wearemaintainingtheorganizationofourbusinesscarddocument,andthenmakesurethisnewlayerisabovethe gradientlayer. Next,fillthe"Stars"layerwithblack(#000000).

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Afterthat,gotoFilter>Noise>AddNoiseandsettheAmountoptionto400%.ThenchoosetheUniformand MonochromaticoptionsandclickOKtoapplythefilter.

Nowwewilluseablurfiltertosoftenthenoiselayer.GotoFilter>Blur>GaussianBlurandchangetheRadiusto0.7 pixels,thenapplythefilter.

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Afterthat,clickImage>Adjustments>LevelsandplaywiththeInputLevelsvaluesabittoachievelessfrequentand morespacedoutstars.

Whenyouarehappywiththespacingofyourstars,reducethelayersOpacityto50%.

Step5:AddSomeStardustUsingtheCloudsFilter
Togiveourworkanotherspacetheme,wewillcreatestardust.Todothat,firstcreateanewlayerforourstardust(you maynamethislayeras"Stardust"). Next,settheForegroundcolortowhite(#ffffff)andBackgroundcolortopurple(#4d008f)intheToolsPanel. WithyourForeground/Backgroundcolorsset,gotoFilter>Render>Clouds.

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Step6:AdjusttheStardustsVividness
Wewilluseanimageadjustmenttoenhancethecolorofourimage.GotoImage>Adjustments>Levelsandplay aroundwiththeInputLevelsvaluestomakeyourcloudsmorevivid.

Step7:SmudgetheStardust
Next,wewillsmudgeourstardustwiththeSmudgeTool(R)tocreateamorefluidandblendedeffect.FortheSmudge Tool,choosetheSoftMechanicalBrushtipandsettheMasterDiameteroptionto500pixels(youcansetbothbrush optionsintheOptionsBar).

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

WithyourSmudgeToolreadyforaction,smudgeyour"Stardust"layertomakeitlooklikestardust.

Step8:FinishingTouchesontheStardust
SettheBlendModeofthe"Stardust"layertoOverlayandalsoreducetheOpacityto60%.

Rememberourbackgroundwiththebluepurplecolorgradient?Duplicateit(Ctrl/Cmd+J)andthenplacethe duplicateoverthe"Stardust"layer. PressCtrl/Cmd+T(FreeTransform)andthenscalethewidthofthebackgroundobjectto100.0%. Afteryourfreetransform,setthelayersBlendModetoColor.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Step9:CreateaDiagonalStrip
Next,wewillcreatediagonalstripstostylizeourbusinesscardandgiveitanicedesignelement.Tobegin,setyour Foregroundcolortowhite(#ffffff)andthenpickuptheEllipseTool(U)fromtheToolsPanel.Thendrawabigcircleand moveitpartiallyoutsideofthecanvas.

NowchangethelayersBlendModetoSoftLightandreducetheOpacityto8%.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Afterthat,maketwocopiesofthecirclelayer(Ctrl/Cmd+J).Thenmovethembelowthefirstone.

MakesurethatyourForegroundcolorissettowhite(#ffffff)andthenpicktheBrushTool(B),settingthebrushtipto SoftMechanicalat500pixelsMasterDiameter. Clickonceonthecanvastoapplyyourbrushstroke,makingabig,whitecircle. ThenusetheRectangularMarqueeTool(M)tomakeaselectionasshownbelow.

Deletetheselectedarea.Afterwards,pressCtrl/Cmd+T(FreeTransform),andintheOptionsBar,settheAngleto30 (thenapplythetransformation).

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MovethediagonalstripeleftusingtheMoveTool(V).

How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

ThenblenditbetterwithitsbackgroundbychangingthelayersBlendModetoSoftLightandOpacityto40%.

Step10:CreateMoreDiagonalStrips
Duplicate(Ctrl/Cmd+J)thediagonalstriplayer6timesandmovethecopiedlayerstotheright.

Step11:CreateColorfulLightingEffects
Createanewlayer(nameit"Colors"). UsetheBrushTool(B)tomakesomecolorfulcircleswithasofttippedbrush.

Nowchangethe"Colors"layersBlendModetoOverlayandreducetheOpacityto30%.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Step12:EnhancetheColorswithaGradientMap
NowaddaGradientMapadjustmentlayerbyclickingontheCreatenewfilloradjustmentlayericonthatislocatedat thebottomoftheLayersPanelchooseGradientMapfromthemenuthatshowsupwhenyouclicktheicon.

SettheGradientMapsgradientsuchthatitgoesfromblack(#000000)towhite(#ffffff).

ChangetheGradientMapsBlendModetoPinLight.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Step13:BusinessCardTypography
Lastbutnotleastisthetexttobeplacedonourbusinesscard. IusedafreefontcalledNevis(byTenbyTwenty). StartbysettingyourForegroundcolortowhite(#ffffff).ThenusetheHorizontalTypeTool(T)towriteyourname(or yourcompanysname).

Afterthat,selectthetextlayerfromtheLayersPanelandthengotoLayer>LayerStyle>BlendingOptions.Adda GradientOverlayusingthefollowingsettings.

Next,writeadescriptionunderthenameandrepeatthestylingactions.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Werefinishedwiththefrontside.Createanewlayergroup(Layer>New>Group)andcallit"Back". Placethetextforthebacksideofthebusinesscardinsidethe"Back"layergroup.Addsometextdescribingyourwork, skills,andcontactinformation.Youcanputyourphotohereaswelltopersonalizeyourbusinesscard.

TutorialSummary
Congratulations,wehavefinishedourbusinesscard!Thistutorialshowedyouaneasywaytocreateabusinesscard designthatwillsurelyattracttheattentionofthoseyouhanditto.Wemadeaspacethemedbackgroundthathasstars andstardust.Wealsodesignedacoolsetofdiagonalstripstoaccentthebusinesscard,andthenfinisheditupwitha niceGradientMapadjustmentlayer.ThentheHorizontalTypeToolcametoouraidasweplacedournameandother businesscardinformationonit. Beforeheadingouttotheprintertogetyourbusinesscardprinted,besuretoreadthetutorialcalledAGuideto PreparingFilesforPrint.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

DownloadSourceFiles
spacethemed_business_card(ZIP,5.80MB)

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24Comments(Addyours)

Dmitriy AUG242010

Verynice!thanks!
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Scydow AUG242010

Verynice,thankyou!
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Richie AUG242010

HeyTomas,nicetoseeyouhere. Goodwork!Thisisaaveryhelpfultutorialbecauseeverythinghasbeen donefromscratch,Bravo!But,Ifeelyouoverusedthediagonalstrips:) ToomanyelementsinabizcardmightspoiltheoverallfeelIMHO. However,Ihaveadoubt:IllustratorhasspecificoptionsforBleedand cropmargins,rightandsodoesInDesign.Theseprogramsaremadefor professionalprintmediaapplications.So,Ithinkitiswiseifyouchoosethe rightprogramfortherightpurpose.ThisqualifiesmoreasaDesigna SpaceThemedposter/backgroundtutorialratherthanabusinesscard tutorial. Butofcourse,thisisveryhelpfulforthosewhodonotownthose programs(likeme):) Justathought
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Jacquesvan Heerden AUG242010

ItendtodisagreewithyouregardingtheProgramused. WedesigneverythinginPhotoshop,BusinessCards,Postersetc.. ItthengetstransferredtoIndesignwhereitgetssetupforprint. DesigninginPhotoshopisgreat.Printingstraightoutofitisalso

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

fine,butyougottaknowwhatyouaredoingthen. Nicecard,Idoagreewiththeoveruseofdiagonallines though..otherthanthatitsgreat. Keepitupmate
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Tomas AUG242010
Contributor

ThankyouRichieforbeingactiveandcommentingonmytutorial.I appreciatethat.Ihavecreatedmyfirstprintedbusinesscardin Photoshopanditlooksgreat,soIthinkthatPhotoshopisgoodtool forcreatingprintgraphics.

REPLYTOCOMMENT

mcdonald OCT142010

couldanyonehelpmewiththekindofcardstoprintthis kindsofcardson whattextureshoulditbe whattypeofcardsshoulditbeoreventhenameofthe cardsandespectiallytohaveasleektextureprintingonthe card

REPLYTOCOMMENT

JacobGube AUG242010
EditorialTeam

Afterseeingalotofdesignscreatedinvariousways,Ivestopped thinkinginsuchstricttermslikethisisthetoolthatyouneedtouse forthisjob.AfterseeingwebdesignscreatedentirelyinIllustrator, bookslaidoutusingPhotoshop,amazingphotographyediting usingFireworks,andcomicsdoneentirelyinWindowsPaint,Ive cometotheconclusionthatyoushouldusethetoolthatgetsyou whatyouwant. Inthisparticularcase,businesscardscanbeprintedbysending yourprinteraPSDfileIknowtherearealotofonlineprintersthat supportandevenpreferPSDsoverInDesignorAI/EPSfiles. Youshoulddefinitelyknowthefundamentals.Youshoulddefinitely knowwhichtoolhastraditionallybeenusedtocreatewhat.But onceyouknowthatyoucanmakeeducateddecisionstogo anotherrouteanduseanotherprocess. My$0.02.
REPLYTOCOMMENT

JackCole SEP232010

Asaprintdesigner,IdhavetoagreewiththeOP.PrintersI jobwith*hate*receivingPSDs,preferringstandards compliantPDFformatsinstead.Certainlyworkingupyour backgrounddesigninPSisthewaytogo,butimportingit intoalayoutprogramlikeIDdesignedforcrisptype,and properrasterizing(toavoidimagescorruptingtypelayers, forinstance)makesmoresense.Makeyourprinterhappy, andyouendupwithabetterendresult. IpityanyonewhohastolayoutabookinPSoreditphotos inFireworks.Imsurepeoplecandigditcheswith tablespoons,too,but*should*they?Choosethepropertool forthejob,andyourjobishalfwaydone.
REPLYTOCOMMENT

AUG242010

Nicetutorial!ButIthinkthatvisitcardswithfaceinitaremoreappropriate forbigcorporationsWatever!Greattutorial:)
REPLYTOCOMMENT

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Simona AUG242010
Contributor

How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Nicebackgroundeffect.IagreewithRichie,butnevertheless,good tutorial.Thanksforsharing.
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Viorel AUG242010

Thisisagreatandstraightforwardtutorial!Thanks!
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Will AUG252010

Thespacethemeiscool.Igetit.Butasabusinesscardwhatisitsaying visually?Ifeelagoodbusinesscardvisuallysayssomethingabout you,yourcompanyorwhatyoudo,beforetheyevenreadit.Conceptis king.Usetheasmanyoftheelementsandprinciplesofdesigntobackthis conceptandyouwillgetanovertvisualdesignthathitsthemark.Goodtut ifyouthinkspaceorthedesignfitswhatyoudo.

REPLYTOCOMMENT

Rafi AUG252010

Heythomas.Thisisanicetutofbusinesscardman.Ispeciallylikehow youcreatedthebackgrounds.Itssogood,macbased.Anyway,simpleyet wonderful!

REPLYTOCOMMENT

EricVasquez AUG252010
Contributor

Ialsoenjoyedthistutandthinkithasareallynicecolorscheme.Myown personalopinionisthatifyoudothesamethingmorethanonceinthe samedesignitcantakeawayfromitattimesasfarastheuseofdiagonals goesBUTitdoesmakethedesignmoredynamic. Asforthesoftwareused,IwouldhavetosaythatPhotoshopdoesapretty nicejobforbusinesscards,justaslongasyouremembertoincludesome extraroomonallofthesidestoaccountforthebleed. Therearesomeusefultechniquesinheresuchascreatingthestars throughuseofthenoisefilter,andalsosmudgingthestardustisanice spinontheoftenoverusedcloudsfilter.OverallIthinkyoudidanicejob!
REPLYTOCOMMENT

kidsgames AUG252010

Greatpost!Niceinformation
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Robert AUG272010

Nicedesignandcoolconcepts,butjustlikeawebsite,businesscards needtoconveyinformation(mostlycontactinfo),firstandforemost.Email address?Webaddress?Thesethingsarevitalonamoderndaybusiness card.Withthisdesignmostoftherealestateistakenupbyyourname, position(roleincompany),andpicture.Phonenumberislarge,butIprefer toemailforinitialcontact.Thesearejustmyopinion.Nicedesigntho!

REPLYTOCOMMENT

BillChambers AUG292010
Contributor

NicejobTomas!Thanksforsharingandkeepitup!
REPLYTOCOMMENT

KevinNgawhau SEP052010

ThanksforthetutorialThomas!Ilikeyouruseoftheblendingmodes,butI wouldhavetoagreewithacoupleoftheothershereregardingthe diagonals.Theyworkwell,butalittletoopredominant.Ifyouwereableto fadethelinesanother4050%withoutlosingthecolordynamics,Ithink youdbeontoarealwinner.Nevertheless,thatsjustmyopinionand otherwiseIthinkyoudidagoodjob.

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How to Make a Space-Themed Business Card in Photoshop

Also,usingpixelbasedsoftware(eg:PhotoshoporFireworks),asopposed tovector(eg:IllustratororFreehand),onlyreallybecomesanissueif youreresizingtheartwork.Inotherwords,ifyoudesignedthebusiness cardusingavectorbasedapplication,thenyoucouldeasilyresizethe artworktogoonalargebillboardwhilemaintainingitsintegrity.Notthat youwoulddothat,butIthinkyouknowwhatImean. JustonemorethingforRobert,graphicdesignisallaboutvisual communication,itdoesntnecessarilyneedtobecrammedfullof informationtoconveyamessage.
REPLYTOCOMMENT

fairooza SEP072010

Nicedesign!Thanksforsharing.
REPLYTOCOMMENT

Axel FEB202011

NicemanIlearnedsomuchfromthis.Ihaveaquestionforyou.HowdoI knowwheretoputallmywords?CanIpassthetwolinesonthebottomor Ihavetokeepeverythinginthemiddle?

REPLYTOCOMMENT

himshikha NOV092011

reallyverycleartutorialitis..!! Amazing..reallyappreciative
REPLYTOCOMMENT

waheedhashmi NOV212011

nicestyle.ilikeit.ithinkyouareagooddisinerintheworld.
REPLYTOCOMMENT

MikeSolCruz FEB022012

Thanxbroforthetipssurelycouldusestyleforsomeonewhoisnotthat goodincomputer!
REPLYTOCOMMENT

amirjooon MAY012012

thankyou imfromiran
REPLYTOCOMMENT

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