Photoshop Tutorial: How to Add a Watermark

What do you do when you wish to display your artwork or photos on the Internet, but don't want anyone to "borrow" your images? When working with Photoshop, you can create a watermark to place on your intellectual property. When using Photoshop 5.5 or higher, you will find that it is quite easy to generate a watermark, usually taking no more than a couple of minutes.

What is a Watermark?

A watermark is a word or words, as well as graphic images that are placed over an image or photo, positioned in the background or foreground. A variety of individuals benefit from the use of a watermark because it associates an identity with the work, graphics or photos. Watermarks are used to deter others from copying or "stealing" the work as their own.

The watermark can prove to be a rather useful tool, especially for webmasters, artists and graphic artists. For example, potential clients will sometimes request a sample of talent or a mock-up for a proposed project from an artist or graphic designer. When submitting samples and mock-ups, a watermark may be placed on their work, making it difficult for others to reproduce their creation without permission or payment.

Creating a Text Watermark

Some prefer to place the copyright symbol on their works, while others lean towards placing other pieces of text, such as their name or company details.

1) Open the graphic or photo you wish to protect.

2) Decide on what you want to place on your image.

3) Select the Type tool and enter the copyright symbol or other piece of text you decided on for your watermark.

4) With the Type tool still selected, click on the Color Swatch and set the color to 50% gray. You may also enter 128-128-128 in the RGB values to achieve this color.

5) Now, take the time to resize and place the text where you desire.

6) Photoshop 5.5 Users: Right click on the layer assigned to your text. This can be found in the layer palette. Choose Effects.

Photoshop 6 and 7 Users: Double-click on a blank area of the layer assigned to your text. This can be found in the layer palette. A dialog box will appear.

7) Under Blending Options, select Bevel and Emboss. Adjust the setting to match your preference.

8) Under Blend Mode, choose Hard Light.

When playing with the size, font, position, as well as color value, you will be able to tweak a watermark that can be used for all of your current and future creations. Save the file and when you are ready for a change, remember that it can always be edited.

For Logo Watermarks

You may use the same instructions for the creation of a logo watermark. When setting the blending options and blend mode, you may alter the appearance of your logo by decreasing the opacity.

Cool Software Alert!

Don't feel like putting in the legwork to place a created watermark on many different images? There is a software selection that allows you to "cheat" in this respect, saving you a lot of time and energy. The software is called Picture-Shark and it allows you to "stamp" logos and text on all of your images. This is also a nice alternative for those who do not have Photoshop on their computer.

Once you have created or scanned your signature/logo and saved it as a transparent gif file, you're in business. The software offers a wizard to lead you in the correct direction. It is also possible to process tons of photos in a matter of minutes with an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide accompanying the software. Try it and you may like it. What do you have to lose? Picture Shark is FREE!

Picture Shark Download: http://www.pictureshark.com/download.htm
Picture Shark Step-by-Step Guide: http://www.pictureshark.com/step.htm