How to Personalize Your WordPress Theme

You've decided to take the plunge, get your own domain, and start a WordPress blog. But you don't know much about CSS, HTML, or PHP. You decide to use a pre-made WordPress theme (thousands can be found on the WordPress theme viewer), maybe one already included with your software. But you're not ready to go yet. You need your blog to stand out, to be personalized. You need to make your mark on your WordPress theme. This small tutorial will guide you through changing some images to make your pre-made WordPress theme all yours.

Use the Right Tools
First, you should have some imaging editing software and an FTP client. Photoshop is highly recommended, but quite pricey. If you want almost the same functionality, try GIMP, an Open-Source Photoshop-like image editor that is completely free. An FTP client will make it easier to transfer your images from the desk top to your site. I use SmartFTP, but also recommend Filezilla. Both are safe and free. When you've got those, it's easier to switch out the old graphics and put in your new and improved ones.

Make that old WordPress theme all yours
For this tutorial I'm going to be personalizing the WordPress default theme, Kubrick. Because I don't want to use CSS or HTML, I'll just be changing the header graphic (it's very easy with the Kubrick theme to do this without using an image editor, but for my purposes I'm using Photoshop). Kubrick doesn't have different icons to change around, so you should keep in mind that if you find another pre-made WordPress theme that the icons can be changed using this same method.

Download and open the Kubrick header (kubrickheader.jpg). Note the size of the graphic- 760px wide by 200px high. It's very important to keep the dimensions exactly the same when changing the graphics but not messing with the stylesheet or the HTML. Add another layer. Save as "kubrickheader2.jpg" (in Photoshop use "Save for Web...")."Save" after each step.

I used the shape tool and added a styled layer and changed the background color. Lessen the transparency so that some of the original color comes through. Save.

Next I added a light bulb using the shape tool. I used yellow to color it and picked a style from the style box (circled in red in the first illustration). I suggest you play around with the shapes and styles to find one that suits you- as well as learning the program. You can always undo changes that you don't like.

I added another layer and then used the text tool. You should also play around with the font to see which one suits your style. I used AvantGarde BK BT here. I changed the font color and used the same styling effects that I used for the light bulb. Simply right click on the light bulb layer then "Copy Layer Style" then right click on your text and "Paste Layer Style". Don't forget to save!

Now that you're done with the image, save it and open your ftp client. Go to your WordPress themes folder. I'll go to wp-content->themes->default->images. Upload your header. Now, change the name of your original header. I'll change the name of "kubrickheader.jpg" to "kubrickheader3.jpg". This makes it easier to change the header back if you don't like how it looks. Now, rename your new header. Mine will go from "kubrickheader2.jpg" to "kubrickheader.jpg". Now my default WordPress theme looks more original and me.

All Done!
Don't forget to play around with your options, fonts, styles, etc. Remember if you chose a pre-made WordPress theme that has icons and other images, you can use this same method to change their color and appearance. Without knowing CSS or HTML, you can use this easy method to have your own personalized WordPress theme and your website will stand out from the crowd.