To integrate the type with the photo, click the “Add a layer style” button at the bottom of the Layers palette, and then choose Drop Shadow. Next, open a file that has the logotype for the brand name (In our example: One Candle™, stored as a Shape layer), then drag-and-drop this layer into the file. Press the Enter key to finish the transform. Then use Free Transform (Cmd/Ctrl-T) to scale the imported photo (by Shift-dragging on a corner) and to position it (by dragging inside the Transform box). Use the Move tool (V key) to drag-and-drop the photo into the la-bel template file. We are using a file with a cropped, tinted, soft-edged photo. Fill the new layer with white (type D for default colors and then press Command-Delete on a Mac or Ctrl-Backspace on a PC).ĭesign a label in the top left corner of the template. To see the developing artwork better, add a new layer below the label template (Mac: Command-click the “Create a new layer” button at the bottom of the Layers palette Ctrl-click it on a PC). We downloaded the PDF lay-out, opened it and set the resolution we wanted for the labels We picked the standard white WL-OL225WX stock, originally designed for labeling computer diskettes, which could be printed on either a laser printer or an inkjet.
(Tip: When we went looking for a label format for the 4.25-inch square face of a box for a boutique candle company, we went browsing at They provide free design templates in PDF format which can be opened directly in Photoshop.
Open a label template to use as a guide for sizing and positioning the label artwork. Photoshop’s Smart Objects, align-and-distribute options, and layer groups make it easy to repeat your label design to fit the label stock.īy Linnea Dayton & Cristen Gillespie, authors of The Photoshop CS/ CS2 Wow! Book (Peachpit Press).
Here’s a way to design labels that you can then quickly modify for related products.