On Point Tutorial

 ON POINT TUTORIAL

This is an "easy-to-moderate" level tutorial, as it will use some tools found in PSP as well as some filters.  This can also be good for those who are beginners wanting to expand their knowledge and/or are getting used to the program, or for those who have been away for a while and need a "refresher" course!  This also leaves room for variations, such as using scraps and/or accents - or not!  You could also add word art or other kind of decorations.  I always encourage adding your own special touches!

This is the tag we will be making:

Easy-to-Medium Level - Basic knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

Please note that I am providing all the supplies in a zip-file for those who want to use all of it, however I am also providing individual download links for those who just want to use some of the supplies, and use their own stuff for others.  Link is at bottom of Materials list.

1.  Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version) 

2.  WordArt - ncb_magificent_obsession .png

3.  Textures - You will need 2 that look well together (unless you don't mind using the same one for two different steps).  I used textures from ArtPlusLove on Deviantart - #012 and #020.  We'll be using them like patterns/backgrounds in this tutorial.

4.  Mask - WR-layeredmask-02-2022.jpg

5.  Shape - On Point 4-Way Diamonds 

6.  Scraps:  A.  donnaK08-elements (they come in 5 different colors, they are FTU, I have included them in their own zip-file)
B.  winni[1]fleur.psd

7.  Tube/Photo of Choice - I am using "Marie" by zebrush, which was purchased from Pics For Design.  This is a PTU tube so please do not use if you do not have the license.  I am not sure if this artist is selling elsewhere.

» »  All Supplies I used, minus the tube, HERE, zipped up. « «

• Filters Needed • 

Outside Filters:

1.  Mura's Meister > Copies
2.  Xero > Fritillary 
3.  Xero > Porcelain
4.  Eye Candy 5 Impact > Gradient Glow 

Filters Part of PSP:

1.  Texture Effects > Mosaic-Glass

PSP Tools Used

1.  Crop
2.  Image Resize
3.  Apply Mask
4.  Gaussian Blur
5.  Freehand Selection Tool
6.  Manual Color Correction
7.  Unsharpen Mask
8.  Drop Shadow

Fonts used

1.  © Info:  FFF Executive 
2.  Names:  Olietta Script

» » Please note that I typically add my drop shadows last.  I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used at the end of the tutorial HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if/when you would like. « «

*If you have difficulty seeing the screenshots, click on them to enlarge.*

👉👉 *If you find a step missing, or have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and let me know!*  👈👈

On to the tutorial!

1.  Install the font(s).  (Alternative:  You can open and minimize the font; it should show in PSP.  I use a font program called Cfont Pro - it temporarily installs the font and will uninstall it when you shut down your computer.)

2.  Open a new file, 700 pixels x 700 pixels, 100 ppi, transparent.  For the rest of the tutorial, I will refer to it as the "tag file".  (Don't worry, we'll be able to crop down and resize it later.)  At this time, also Shift+D on your tube (this will make a copy of your image) - then close out the original, then minimize it for the time being. 

3.  Flood fill your tag file with white, which will help make things easier to see.  Copy and paste the diamonds on to the tag file - center with the move tool the best you can.  Once it is placed, go to Selections > Select All, Select > Float, Select > Defloat, Select > Invert.  Copy and paste one of the textures as a new layer (I used #020).  Make the texture layer active and then hit the Delete button.  Select > None.  You can delete the diamonds template layer as we are done with it.

4.  Using your crop tool, and while the white layer is still visible, choose the merged opaque option:

and then apply.  This will get rid of any part of the texture file(s) that may have been missed earlier when we did the Invert/Delete in the last step.

5.  Copy and paste the other texture as a new layer.  If you need, resize it up/larger so that it fits the size of the tag file.  I resized mine by 125%.  Be sure "resize all layers" is UNCHECKED.

6.  In your layer palette, right click on the layer with this 2nd texture. Go to New Mask Layer > From Image and use these settings:

Right click on the layer again, go to Merge > Merge Group.  Resize the mask layer by 85%.  Move it to the bottom, just above the white layer.

7.  Duplicate the mask layer, resize it again by 85%.  Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur ... radius: 6.00 . 

8.  Go to Effects > Texture Effects > Mosaic Glass and apply these settings:

Resize by 95% - be sure "resize all layers" is UNCHECKED.  Set the layer property to Hard Light, 100%

9.  You should now have something like this:

10.  Copy and paste your tube as a new layer.  Resize as needed.  (I had to resize mine by 50%, twice.)  Place it as desired.

11.  Choose one of the spike sets from the winni[1]fleur.psd file.  I chose the grayish one.  Copy and paste it onto your tag file.  Using Mura Meister Copies, apply these settings:

Resize 90% ("resize all layers" not checked) and move to just above the mask layers.

12.  Go back to your 4-way diamonds with the texture.  Using the Xero > Fritillary filter, apply these settings:

13.  Duplicate this layer and then apply Xero > Porcelain with these settings:

Set the layer properties to Hue, 100%.

14.  Going back to the original 4-way diamonds with the texture, using your Freehand Selection under your Selection Tools, go around one of the diamonds, and then in your layer palette right click and to got "Promote Selection to Layer".  Select > None.  Move it to the top of your tag file (don't worry, this is temporary - just to help to see placement.)  Resize it by 80% and then move it over to the left, somewhat overlapping the far left point of the diamond in the 4-way.  See my example, above, if you need.  Once placed, duplicate.  Image > Mirror.  Merge Down.  They should now be on the same layer.  Move this under the 2 diamond layers.

15.  Going to the bottom layer of the 4-way diamonds, apply the Eye Candy 5 Impact > Gradient Glow with these settings:

Apply the same settings to the 2 side diamonds we just made in Step 14.

16.  Copy and paste the word art to your tag file.  It is pretty large so you will need to resize it to the size you desire.  For reference, I resized mine by 35%.  Again, resize all layers UNCHECKED.

17.  Go to Adjust > Color Balance > Manual Color Correction:

A window like this should open.  The window on the left is how it looks currently.  The window on the right is how it will look after the "new" color is applied.  Be sure that the hide/show previews is activated (pressed down, the yellow square in the screenshot):

You will need to show the source color (the current color) and the target color (what you want to change it to).  With your mouse, click on the black color in the left window with the left button of your mouse - this should change your source color to black (if it wasn't already).  Again, with your mouse, using the right button this time, click on a color in your tube to choose it as the target color ... you should see this show up in the right window.  I used the same color as I did for the gradient glow since my tube has mostly black in it.  Click OK when satisfied with the color.

18.  Using the Gradient Glow we just used, apply the same settings except change the color to white, and change the glow radius to 12.00, Soften Corners to 5.00 and the Overall Opacity to 75.  

19.  At this point, if there is anything else you would like to add, now is the time.

20.  Once done, hide the white layer.  Using your crop tool, use the same settings you used before.  Adjust the border(s) as desired - I made it slightly larger on the top and sides, and cropped it to just where the tube ends at the bottom, allowing enough space for the credits under the word art.  Once cropped, unhide the white layer and crop again with the same settings.  

21.  Go to Image > Resize Image and use these settings, making sure that you have "resize all layers" CHECKED and be sure to use PIXELS and not PERCENT:

Keep in mind that your tag might be a little different size after the crop, so use my resize settings as an estimate.  I try to keep my tags around 550 pixels on the largest side, give or take.

22.  On EACH LAYER you will apply the following PSP Filter with the following settings:  Adjust > Sharpen > Unsharpen Mask:

(For a short cut, after you click on each layer, hold down Ctrl + Y and it will "repeat last action" which will be the Unsharpen Mask with these settings)

23.  Go to your word art and duplicate it.  Apply Gaussian Blur, radius: 5.00.  Move it under the word art.  Change layer property to Hard Light, 80%.

23.  Now apply your desired drop shadows.  I am using the following, using the Drop Shadow that comes with PSP (Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow):

For the tube:
V:  3
H:  -3
Opacity:  40
Blur:  20.00
Color:  Black

For everything else except the word art and mask layers:
V:  0
H:  0
Opacity:  50
Blur:  10.00
Color:  Black

24.  Apply your credits and name - I also used the gradient glow settings in step 18 on both, and changed the layer property to Luminance (L) 95% on the name.
And you are done!

Thanks for checking out my tutorial!  I hope you liked it and had fun creating.
I'd enjoy seeing your results if you'd love to share!

LOVE BLOCK TUTORIAL

LOVE BLOCK TUTORIAL

This is a very easy, basic kind of tutorial, so good for those who are beginners, are getting used to the program, or have been away for a while and need a "refresher" course!  This also leaves room for variations, such as using scraps and/or accents - or not!  You could also add word art or other kind of decorations.  The only limit is your imagination.

This is the tag we will be making:

Easy level - Basic knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

1.  Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)  
2.  Scraps (optional) - I used hrtstring_mdh.psd  (click on it to download .... have had this for a long time.... these are "accents" and don't require credit)
3.  WordArt (Optional)  I chose not to use any. 
4.  Tube/Photo of Choice - "Valentina" by Elias Chatzoudis.  Purchased when he was with MPT (My PSP Tubes). I'm not sure if he is still selling tubes and if so, where.  If you use this tube, please be sure you have the proper, valid license to use it.


Filters Needed 

Outside Filters:
1.  DSB Flux > Bright Noise  (if you don't have this, you can use the Noise filter that comes with PSP)

That is part of PSP:

1.  Blinds
2.  Weave
3.  Gaussian Blur
4,  Unsharpen Mask
5.  Add/Remove Noise > Add  (for those who don't have DSB Flux > Bright Noise)

Optional Filters (for Name/Text/© Info)

2.  Eye Candy 4000 > Gradient Glow (on © info)

Fonts used

1.  For "love" text:  "Love Boho"
2.  For the heart for the "O":  If you choose to not use the Love Boho Font, you can use a heart shape or a dingbat font with hearts to make the heart inside the "O".
3.  For copyright info:  Joystix
4.  Name:  Channel

*Please note that I typically add my drop shadows last.  I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used at the end of the tutorial HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if/when you would like.*

*If you have difficulty seeing the screenshots, click on them to enlarge.*

👉👉 *If you find a step missing, or have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and let me know!*  👈👈

On to the tutorial!

1.  Install the font(s).  (Alternative:  You can open and minimize the font; it should show in PSP.  I use a free font program called Cfont Pro - it temporarily installs the font and will uninstall it when you shut down your computer.)

2.  Open a new file, 800 pixels x 450 pixels, 100 ppi, transparent.  (Don't worry, we'll be able to crop down and resize it later.)  At this time, also Shift+D on your tube (this will make a copy of your image) - then close out the original, then minimize it for the time being.  

3.  On your new file, using the Rectangle Tool with white as both your foreground and background, create a rectangle with these settings:

Convert to Raster.  Move over to the left side (leaving enough room to the right to fit 3 more rectangles).  Once you are happy with the placement, duplicate it.

4.  Using the Move tool, slide the duplicate over just a little to the right.  You don't want a big gap; about 6-10 pixels should be enough.  I did 6 however up to 10 pixels is fine and still works. Once you are happy with the placement, merge down.

5.  Duplicate that.  Mirror, then move them together so that the middle gap is evenly spaced like the other gaps.  When happy with placement, merge down.  You should now have all 4 rectangles on 1 layer.

6.  Go to Selections > Select All > Float > Defloat.  You should now have marching ants around the 4 rectangles.  On your bottom layer, it should be empty.  Click on it.  Go to Selections > Modify > Expand > by 4 pixels.  On that bottom layer, fill it in with a gray color (such as a medium-to-black gray). When done, go to Select None.  This will remove the marching ants.

When done, it should look something like this:

7.  In your materials palette, choose 2 colors from your tube. Make the foreground a darker color than the background.  Go to the layer with the 4 white rectangles, and go to Selections > Select All > Float > Defloat, create new raster layer, then Selections > Modify > Contract > by 3 pixels.  Floodfill with your background color.   Select > Select None.

8.  With the colors you chose in step #7, using your text tool, Make a capital "L" using these settings (it's going to be large!):

If you find you need to reverse the colors, or choose lighter/darker shades of your tube colors then by all means, please do.  I initially tried the lighter color as the foreground and I didn't like the way it looked with my colors, especially against the backdrop of the pink rectangles I have under the letters.

Move it to the first rectangle and place it how you want it.  Use my tag as a guide.  Ultimately the 4 letters are going to look offset from each other.
When happy with placement, convert to raster.

9.  Do this for the other 3 letters.  Be sure to use the capital "O" so the heart in the center shows.   Note that it's a little wider than the other letters so you might need to make it slightly smaller.  Place each letter on it's respective rectangle and then convert to raster when you are happy with the placement.

10.  Once you have all the letters placed where you want, close all layers except the 4 with the letters, and then Merge Visible.  Now all the letters should be on the same layer, on their own.

11.  While still on the layer with the letters, go to DSB Flux > Bright Noise and use the following settings:

12.  Go to your rectangles that were floodfilled with the color from your tube.  Using the PSP Filter "Weave" (Effects > Texture Effects > Weave), apply the following settings:

13.  At this point, copy and paste your tube onto your tag file.  Resize if needed (I sized it down slightly, by 80%), then place as desired.

14.  Go to Edit > Copy Merged.  Edit > Paste As New Layer.  With the Copy Merged Layer active, move it around with your move tool so that the main elements - such as the rectangles - are lined up with the ones underneath.  In essence you are wanting everything lined up with each other.  Once that is done:  Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur ... radius: 10.00.  Move to bottom layer.  Resize using these settings, being sure that "Resize All Layers" is NOT checked:

Duplicate this layer and resize it again, this time by 85%.  On this layer, Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur ... radius: 20.00.  Set layer properties to Burn, 100%.

15.  On the bottom blurred layer, go to Effects > Texture Effects > Blinds using these settings:

16.  With the hearts I provided (Supplies/Scraps, above).  Using your Freehand Selection tool, go around one of the heart "sets" you wish to use, and then copy and paste as new layer on to your tag file.  Duplicate it twice so you should have 3 layers of hearts (1 set per layer).  Feel free to resize if needed, place randomly as desired.  (Two of them I resized 85%, and one I resized 75%.)  If you are placing any near your tube, place them under the tube.

17.  If you wish to add anything else - accents, scraps, word art, etc - now is the time.

18.  Once you are satisfied with your tag, now it is time to resize.  Go to Image > Resize and use the following settings, making sure you are resizing on PIXELS and not PERCENT, and being sure that "Resize All Layers" IS checked (ignore info in the "Print Size" area except for the resolution - all other info is irrelevant):

19.  On EACH LAYER you will apply the following PSP Filter with the following settings:  Adjust > Sharpen > Unsharpen Mask:

(For a short cut, after you click on each layer, hold down Ctrl + Y and it will "repeat last action" which will be the Unsharpen Mask with these settings)

20.  Once you've done Unsharpen Mask on each layer go back to the darker rectangles that we did Weave on, and then apply Adjust > Sharpness > Sharpen.

21.  At this point, add drop shadows to your different layers.  For those who are interested, here's what I used:

Using the PSP Drop Shadow filter (Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow) ~
For the tube:

V:  3
H:  -3
Opacity:  65
Blur:  12.00
Color:  Black

For the other layers:

V:  1
H:  -1
Opacity:  50
Blur:  6.00
Color:  Black

22.  Now it is time to crop.  Using your crop tool, use the following settings:

You are only concerning yourself with the "merged opaque" setting -- all the other settings/numbers are irrelevant as we are not making a custom crop selection.

23.  Add your crediting info, and your name.  If you wish to use the settings I did for the gradient glow on my © info and name:

Eye Candy 4000 > Gradient Glow:

22.  You're done!!   I'd love to see what you come up with and thanks for checking out my tutorial!
 

Picture Within A Picture Tutorial

 PICTURE WITHIN A PICTURE TUTORIAL

I had made a tag like this many years ago.  I honestly do not recall if this was based off a tutorial, or my own making however, if based off a tutorial from someone else, so much time has passed I'm almost sure it's no longer available.  If it was your tutorial, my apologies and please let me know, and know that it made such an impression that I wanted to share it with others.

This is a very easy, basic kind of tutorial, so good for those who are beginners, are getting used to the program, or have been away for a while and need a "refresher" course!

Note:  underlined words that are also BOLDED - like this - are hyperlinked.

This is the tag we will be making:

Easy level - Basic knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

1.  Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)

2.  Scraps (Optional) - I didn't use any however if you wish to use some - go for it!

3.  WordArt (Optional) - 5snow.png (below, right click/save as)  I have had this word art for a long time, creator unknown.  If anyone knows, please let me know so that I may credit accordingly.  I figured since it was basically text and a snowflake shape, it was safe to use.

4.  Tube/Photo of Choice - "Morning Frosts" by George Hodan, from Public Domain Pictures 

The best kind of "tube" to use is actually a photo, as you will see.  You can use a tube, just know you'll have to fill in some kind of background to complete the area.

Filters Needed 

1.  Filters Unlimited 2 - Borders & Frames  (If you need, you can find it HERE.  If you already have Filters Unlimited 2 and just need the actual filter files, I have uploaded them HERE.  Just use the "Import" function in FU to make them available for use.

2.  Drop Shadow - comes with PSP

Optional Filters (for Name/Text)

1.  Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow (you can get this at same link for Filters Unlimited, above)

Fonts used

1.  For name/text:  Rainbow Cake

2.  For copyright info:  Rittswood Red Star

Please note that I typically add my drop shadows last.  I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used at the end of the tutorial HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if/when you would like.

On to the tutorial!

1.  Install the font(s).  (Alternative:  You can open and minimize the font; it should show in PSP.  I use a font program called Cfont Pro - it temporarily installs the font and will uninstall it when you shut down your computer.)

2.  Open a new file, 700 pixels x 700 pixels, 72 ppi, transparent.  At this time, also Shift+D on your image (this will make a copy of your image) - then close out the original, then minimize it for the time being.  Don't worry, we will be cropping later on - this is to just give you some "elbow room" to create.

3.  Make both the foreground and background color, black.  Once done, activate the Rectangle Tool and, using the following settings, draw a rectangle:

Make sure the rectangle is width:  575.00 and height: 475

Objects > Align > Center of Canvas.  Convert layer to Raster.

4. With the rectangle layer still active, go to Selections > Select All.  Selections > Float.  Selections > Defloat.

5. Copy and paste your image as a new layer.  Move it around until you have it as you would like it WITHIN the "marching ants".  Depending on the size of your image, you may need to resize it before copy/paste.  (My photo was quite large, so I resized it by 45% to make it 768 pixels for the width.)

6.  Once you have it where you want it, activate the image layer and then go to Selections > Invert.  Then click on your DELETE button.  (Keep the marching ants as you'll need them for the next step.)

What you should now have is your photo above the black rectangle "template", something like this:

Feel free to hide the template layer for now.

7.  On the photo layer, go to Selections > Invert.  You should now have it making the photo itself, active (keeping the surrounding area inactive).  Going through Filters Unlimited 2, you are going to "Buttons and Frames" (which is a FU filter) > Glass Frame 2, and use these settings:

8.  Selctions > Select None.

9.  Duplicate framed image layer and then resize by 85%.  Be sure "All Layers" is not checked:

10.  At this point you can crop your tag.  Crop tool > Merged Opaque.  And then click on the check mark on the far left.

11.  With the resized image active, place a drop shadow on it. I used the drop shadow that comes with the program (Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow)  You may use what you wish.  I used:

12.  At this point you may add anything additional, such as word art, embellishments - you name it.  I used my Lasso tool to do the top part of the word art, provided, and then copied and pasted as new layer, then resized it by 60%, sharpened it slightly, and then moved it to where I wished.  I applied Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow with the following settings (using white as the color):

Add drop shadows as desired.  (I didn't)

13.  Add crediting info.  I used the same Eye Candy 5 Impact Gradient Glow however changed the white to a dark blue from the image, and made the glow, smaller, with the little slide towards the bottom.

14.  Add your name and you're done!

Additional Info:

For my name, I used #d9ddf7 for my foreground color and #20243c for my background color.  Size 44, stroke width 2.0.

I put the following drop shadow on name:

Thanks again for trying my tutorial and if you make anything with it, I'd love to see!!!!

Limitless Tutorial

 A little explanation about the name of the tutorial:  I call it limitless because it truly is a limitless kind of tag, as in, the sky's the limit.  While this will show the steps I took for the tag, below, the thing is you can totally switch things around, like using a different filter or a different setting on the same filter I used, or use a different background, or decide to animate it .... again, the only limit is your imagination.  At the end of the tutorial, I will show a couple of "limitless" ideas I have done to make it look a little different.

*Words in BOLD and not underlined are hyperlinks*

This is the tag we will be making:

Easy level - Basic knowledge of PSP is needed.  This tutorial is also good for beginners, those who have been away from PSP for a while and need a "refresher" course, or if you are just looking for a little bit of inspiration.

Materials Needed

1.  Paint Shop Pro  (I used Version 9 on Windows 10, but can be done in any version)

2.  Scraps -- None required, however if you wish to use some to embellish your tag, feel free to do so.  

3.  Tube of Choice -- I used a few scrap elements from the kit "Spring Fresh" by Diamond Creations for the "fill"  (element 1) and for the "tube of choice" (element 37).  You could also use an actual tube, or something from a scrap kit,, or even an accent/embellishment - the sky is the limit!

4.  2 Fonts, your choice.  You will need at least one font that is kind of "fat" or wide, which will be the "centerpiece" of the tag.  You will be removing part of the center if it isn't already cut out and we will be using the outer edge to decorate/design.  See my tag to see what I mean.  You can find many "fat" fonts here at Dafont, usually under the "Cartoon" or "Comic" themes and also FontSpace under "Bold" - just suggestions.  Also, all caps will usually work better with this, however, not an absolute.  You can also use a regular font with caps on, and just modify it's thickness ("stroke width").

5.  Some sort of image that will be used as the "fill" on the font.  It doesn't need to be a full image as it will be used with Mura Meister - Copies filter in this tutorial.  You could also use a pattern or texture or part of a stock image or even an element from a scrap kit (which is what I'll be using in the tutorial) .... again, limitless!  Note that this should be a different image from the "tube of choice" mentioned in #3.

Filters Needed 

Drop Shadow  (comes with PSP)

Mosaic - Glass  (comes with PSP)

Mosaic - Antique  (comes with PSP)

Mura Meister - Copies

Optional Filters (for Name/Text)

Eye Candy 5 - Impact (optional)

Fonts used

You'll want a "fat font" for this tag.  You can find a bunch of fat fonts at 1001 Fonts.

For this tutorial I used the font "Einhorn" for the word "SPRING".

For the name/text I used "Drummon".

For the copyright info I used "FFF Executive".

**Please note that I typically add my drop shadows last when making tags.  I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used within the steps of the tutorial HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if/when you would like.**

Here we go!

1.  Install the font(s).  (Alternative:  You can open and minimize the font; it should show in PSP.  Or, use a font program. I use a font program called Cfont Pro - it temporarily installs the font and will uninstall it when you shut down your computer.)

2.  Open a new file, 800 pixels x 500 pixels, 72 ppi, transparent. (No worries, you'll be able to crop as needed later on.  This just allows extra space to create.) 

At this time, also Shift+D on your image (this will make a copy of your image) - then close out the original, then minimize the copy for the time being.  Do this for both your "tube" and your "fill" image.

3.  Go to your materials palette and choose a darker hue from your "fill" for the foreground color and close out ("null") your background color.  (I used black for my foreground color which I will change later in the tutorial however you can do the color now and skip that step in the tutorial when it comes up).   Note: you could also go with complementary or even contrasting colors of the tube colors, if you desire.  You could also just do black and null (closed), and change the black to another color later on.

With your text tool, write the word you wish to use.  I am using the word "Spring" - all cap letters.  I also used a kern of 5 to help give a little space between each letter.

I used the following settings to create my word:

Once you are happy with how it looks, go to Objects - Align - Center of Canvas.  And then you can "convert to raster" in the layers palette:

Do not use any of the 'merge' options at this point.

Rename this layer "text".

4.  Go to your "fill" and copy and paste it as a new layer to your 'text' file.  You should now have something like this:

Resize as you need/desire.  I resized my flower element by 85%, twice.

Rename this layer "fill".

5.  With the "fill" layer active, go to Mura's Meister - Copies and apply the following settings:

You don't want any gaps or spaces between the repeated image, so if you need to modify the top number, do so.

Once done, hide this layer for the time being.

 

6.  Go to your "text" layer, move it to the top.  Using your Selection Tool - Magic Wand, click on the *inside* of your word- the little "marching ants" should show up:

(If your letters have spaces between, you might need to click on each letter individually, which is fine)

Make your "fill" layer active (still hidden!) and then go to Selections - Modify - Expand and make the "number of pixels" to 3.  Click OK.

Again, go to Selections - Invert.  Hit your "DELETE" button.  Unhide your "fill" layer, move it under the 'text' layer.

7.  If you used black for your text, this is the time you can change the color.  (If you did the desired color at the beginning, you can skip to the next step).

To change the text color, with the text layer active, go to Selections - Select All, Selections - Float, Selections - Defloat.  You should see the "marching ants" around your letters:

Click on your DELETE button.  You should still have marching ants however the outline should now be gone.

Using the Flood Fill tool on this layer, flood fill your black lettering areas - it will look something like this:

8.  While still active, Adjust - Add/Remove Noise - Add Noise and use the following settings:  

Gaussian, 30, Monochrome checked

You may then de-select your layer (Selections - Select None).

9.  On your Layers palette, you are going to lock the text and fill layers with the same number so that if you need to move it, they'll stay together.

10.  Go to your tube and copy and paste as new layer, rename this layer "tube", and move it to where you would like to place it - either above or below the text & fill.  Use your Move tool to move around the text & fill to where you need/desire, as well as the tube.  Resize either/both as needed.  (Just remember if you resize the text layer, you will also need to resize the fill layer by the same amount.)  

It should look something like this:

I also used one of the butterflies from the scrap kit - element 9 - and used Image - Mirror and then moved it to where it is placed.  I renamed that layer "butterfly".

I also resize all my items by 85%.  

11.  Go to Edit - Copy Merged.  Edit - Paste as New Layer.  With the Move Tool, line it up as best as you can with the other elements on the tag.  Move the merged layer to the bottom.

While still on the merged layer, go to Adjust - Blur - Gaussian Blur, radius:  15.00

12.  Effects - Texture Effects - Mosaic Glass with these settings:

And then:  Effects - Texture Effects - Mosaic Antique with these settings:

13.  At this point, you can apply any/all drop shadows to what you wish.  I put it on my text layer and my tube layers using this setting with the Drop Shadow effect that comes with PSP:

Butterfly and Birdhouse:

Vertical:  2

Horizontal:  -2

Opacity:  45

Blur:  10.00

Color:  Black

Shadow on New Layer:  Not Checked

(I applied the drop shadow on the birdhouse twice)

For the text, I used:

Vertical:  0

Horizontal:  0

Opacity:  55

Blur:  7.00

Color:  Black

Shadow on New Layer:  Not Checked

14.  Activate your crop tool, and click on the "merged opaque" button in the upper toolbar, and then click on the check mark to crop the tag.

At this point, I will typically save the layered file as an "in progress" tag template in case I need to go back and fix something, or if I want to re-do something at a later date, so save this as a layered file (either .pspimage or .psd - either is fine in PSP.)

14.  Once done, go to Edit - Copy Merged.  Edit - Paste as New Image.  This is now your tag from this point on.  

At this point feel free to resize as needed/desired.

My cropped tag was 765 wide x 384 high, so I resized by 85% - be sure to resize all layers.

15.  Go to Adjust - Sharpness - Unsharp Mask and apply these settings (feel free to modify for your own personal taste):

Radius:  1.50

Strength:  15

Clipping:  15

Luminance Only:  Checked

16.  At this point, add your artist/copyright information (including license, if applicable), and tagger watermark, if desired.  

I used font:  FFF Executive, Size: 6, Stroke Width:  0.00  Anti-Alias:  Sharp.  Kerning: 5, Tracking 0.010:

(click on this to open it in larger view)

Optional:  Using Eye Candy 5 - Impact - Gradient Glow with the following settings on your © info:

You can also add your name to the tag and you are done!  Save this in .png format if you wish a transparent background.  

This will be your 'template' to use for adding names to it.  

If you would like to do your name the same as me, directions are below.

For name/text:

A.  I did the text at size 36, stroke 1.5 .. foreground with the dark purple I used on the text (#391c40), and background color a very pale hue of that color (#e7daea).

B.  Place the name/text to the right of the tag, just above the © info, convert to raster layer.  I didn't want the name to be too big as I didn't want it to overpower the rest of the tag.

C.  And then I used Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow with the same settings in step #16 (optional).

If you choose not to use the gradient glow, you can instead just apply a simple drop shadow - or choose to do neither.  Choice is yours.

 ...and you are done!

Save as you would for a tag with a name added to it.  Be sure to NOT give it the same name as the "template" (step 16, above).

Alternate ideas for this tag tutorial:

(I used a "daily freebie" from Design Bundles in 2021)

For the background, instead of using the Mosaic filters, I used the Textures - Blinds filter that comes with PSP.

If you make anything with this - or any of my - tutorials, please share?  I'd love to see it, and post it to the blog!

And here are some wonderful, beautiful versions of this tutorial made by others - aren't they fantastic??

from Bonnie:

from Deb (Mellow):

Thank you!! 💜💜💜

Thanks so much for checking out my tutorials!