Grungy Border Element with the Gradient Tool
Grungy Border Element with the Gradient Tool
by Jenifer Juris
Dress up a simple background paper with a grungy border element custom made by you. The Magic Wand and Gradient tools make this technique simple and fun.
For this tutorial you’ll need:
- A patterned background paper
- Photoshop Elements or Adobe Photoshop
If you’d like to follow along exactly, download the paper I’m using here.
One tip before you get started is to be careful which patterned background paper you use. Not all patterns work well for this. Look for patterned background papers that have good contrast and crisp edges.
Step One: Prepare the Workspace
- Open a patterned background paper (File > Open).
- In the Menu Bar, choose File > Duplicate to create a copy. (PS: Choose Image > Duplicate).
- In the dialog box, click OK.
- Close the original paper file.
Step Two: Extract the Pattern
- In the Layers panel, click on the Padlock of the Background layer to unlock it.
- Get the Magic Wand tool.
- In the Tool Options, click on the New Selection icon and set the Tolerance to 32. Uncheck Sample All Layers and Contiguous, but check Anti-Alias. (Photoshop: Set the Sample Size to Point Sample.)
- On the document, click once on any part of the paper that is free of the pattern.
NOTE: A Tolerance of 32 should work if your paper has good contrast. If, however, you’re struggling to get a good selection, try a Tolerance of 20. If this still doesn’t work, you may need to try a different patterned background paper.
- Press Backspace (Mac: Delete) to remove everything but the pattern.
- Press Ctrl D (Mac: Cmd D) to deselect.
- Press the letter D to reset the Color Chips to the default of Black over White.
- Press Shift Alt Backspace (Mac: Shift Opt Delete) to fill the remaining pattern with the color black.
Step Three: Remove the Center
- Get the Gradient tool.
- In the Tool Options, open the Gradient Picker and choose Foreground to Transparent.
Note: If you do not see Foreground to Transparent, open the menu and choose Default. Then, open the flyout menu and choose Large List. (PS: Open the menu and choose Reset Gradients. Click OK. Then, open the flyout menu and choose Large List.)
- In the Tool Options, set the Mode to Normal and the Opacity to 100%. Check Transparency and Dither, but uncheck Reverse. Click on the Radial Gradient icon.
- In the Layers panel, click on the Add Layer Mask icon.
- Black should be the Foreground Color Chip. If it isn’t, press the letter X.
- On the document, click and drag from the center of the document outward to beyond the boundary of the document.
- Repeat this last step one to two more times.
NOTE: If you want to remove a little more of the pattern, extend the radial gradient even further beyond the edge of the document.
- Once what is left of the pattern is to your liking, in the Layers panel, Right click (Mac: Ctrl click) on the Layer Mask icon and choose Apply Layer Mask.
Step Four: Save the Document
- Save the document (File > Save As) as a PNG file with a unique name.
NOTE: Saving this as a PNG preserves the transparent background.
Step Five: Add to a Solid Paper
- Open a solid background paper (File > Open).
- Get the Move tool.
- On the grungy border element document, hold down the Shift key and click and drag the grungy border element onto the solid background paper.
Change the Color (Optional)
- Click on the Foreground Color Chip to open the Color Picker.
- In the Color Picker, sample the color you wish to use and click OK. I’m using white.
- In the Layers panel, make sure your grungy border element layer is the active layer.
- Press Shift Alt Backspace (Mac: Shift Opt Delete) to change the element to the foreground color.
Here’s how I used this grungy border element (after I changed it to white) with a solid background paper:
More Examples:
Here are a few more examples for you to look at. I want you to see how versatile this technique can be.
Example 1:
Here is the paper I started with next to the grungy border element I made and used on a solid paper.
Example 2:
Here is the second paper I started with next to the grungy border element I made and used on a solid paper.
Example 3:
Here is the third paper I started with next to the grungy border element I created and placed on an artsy style paper.
Last, let me show you how I used my original paper in a scrapbook page. Here it is BEFORE I added the grungy border element:
And here is it AFTER:
It really does take the page from good to great. It looks more finished and has more visual interest without taking away from the main event – the photo.
Credits:
Page & Photo: Jenifer Juris
Kit: Memory Keeper by Kim B Designs
Fonts: Bebas Neue
Example 1 Papers from the kit Time Teller by Etc by Danyale
Example 2 Papers from the kit Carefree by Amanda Heimann
Example 3 Papers from the kit Christas Chic by Studio New Life Designs
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Author: Jenifer Juris | Contact Us
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This is a great tutorial, Jenifer! I’m always looking for ways to subtly add interest to the background papers in my layouts. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
I’m SO glad you like the tutorial! 🙂
Great way to jazz up my papers! Thanks, Jenifer!
You’re welcome. 🙂
I would normally do this with a very soft edged rubber, which can be a little hit and go back one step 🙂 This works on all patterns. Going to try doing it this way. With example 2 (the coloured words are now all blue). Did you overlay the colour blue and then Ctrl + G ?
Actually, the words were changed to white (once I removed the non-pattern part of the paper) and placed over a blue solid paper. I hope that helps. 🙂
Another wonderful tutorial, Jenifer!! I’ve always wondered how this was done. Thank you.
Thanks, I’m so glad you like the tutorial. 🙂
Thank you!
You’re welcome. 🙂
Distraction is my biggest problem! I started this tutorial, but got distracted with the effects and created something else instead, but I will get to it – promise x
That’s just part of the creative process! Love that it inspired something else. 🙂
GREAT tut, I for one love having some type of border…even if it’s just a bit darker on the edges. Love the “new” papers you created using a pattern…makes me wonder if there could be an action for this trick?!! :)))
I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial. 🙂
Classy! Can’t wait to try. Looks like it could become addictive! Thanks for all the examples. I don’t have much of an artistic imagination, so your examples helped a lot.
I’m so glad you found the extra examples helpful. 🙂
Wow! Thanks so much for this tut. Very useful.
You’re so welcome! 🙂
I love getting your tutorials – you are a natural teacher and funny as well. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Thank you Jennifer, I really was inspired by your examples of other papers for this fun tutorial.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial!! 🙂
I love this effect and am off to my “scrapping” computer to try this now! Thanks for the great lesson!
Woot! I can’t wait to see how you use it! 🙂
That was fun, Jen! It took me a couple of tries to get it right, but I did! I love your tutorials.
I’m so glad you got it to work! 🙂
Thanks so much! How do you remember all those steps?! I think my brain will never remember them all! 😉
That’s ok. That’s why we have a downloadable PDF so you can refer to it at any time. 🙂
Great technique! I love how it changes the look of the LO….
Thanks! I love how it changes the look, too. 🙂 I’m so glad you like it!!
Awesome tutorial Jenifer! You ROCK!
Aw, thanks SO much Nann! You’re the BEST! 🙂
Thank you for sharing gradient tool information .
Love This!!!
Hello Jenifer, Thank you for sharing this informative post about gradient tools. This is an interesting post. Good Job!