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Photoshop Tips and Tricks
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| devnl |
Posted on 03-11-2010 09:19
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Free Agent
Posts: 104
Joined: 25-03-2008
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In my portfolio posted someone asked the question if I was willing to give some tutorials on shirtmaking. If you're looking for tutorials on the shirt editing part of the process you can check out KenL's template thread on the top of this board. That's all I used to get started so it goes far in helping you get things done. When it comes to the actual shirt I use Photoshop. Doesn't really matter if it´s CS3, CS4, CS5, whatever. I've used all of these for shirtmaking on different occasions.
I won´t be giving an in depth tutorial of all of Photoshop´s functions. The internet does a much better job at that then I ever could. I will, however, give some tips & tricks on techniques I use a lot in shirtmaking. My essentials, so to speak.
Use layers, and lots of them
This might seem like being overkill at first, but when you organized your layers decently, you will see that it offers a lot of flexibility. I organise my layers in 4 groups: Front Shirt, Back Shirt, Front Pants and Back Pants. To give an idea of what I mean when I say lots of layers I can tell you that my Liquigas jersey uses a total of 74 layers. Basically every element you see on there such as patches of white, blue, the clawlike shapes are all on different layers.
When your layers are named in a way so that you can distinguish what is what on the jersey it can really keep your PSD file clean and easy to manage. I usually start off with one base layer which represents the main color of the jersey (green in the Liquigas example). Sponsors all go on seperate layers and using the pen tool or other tools within Photoshop I make all the shapes. All on different layers obviously.
Mask the hell out of it
Some people might know about masking, others might not. Masks are an addition to your layer which gives you granular control over what parts of that layer are displayed. Basically, what you do is paint black over parts that you want to hide and paint white over the parts you want to show. None of this black and white coloring ever shows up on the actual image though, which is a good thing. I can imagine a lot of people use the Magic Wand to make a selection and then hit the delete button. I'm all for using the Magic Wand, however the delete button is not the one you should be pressing in my opinion.
What you should be hitting is the Create Mask button. This eventually gives you the exact same effect. Why use it then? Masks are non-destructive, that's why. When you realize you've deleted too much, you can easily get that part back by painting in white again. When you close Photoshop there is no more undo when you delete stuff. Masks will always stay around.
As you can tell from the screenshot I also mask the 4 different layer groups I created. I do this so that I can paint outside of the actual jersey without having to worry about anything. Lets say I paint some color in there really sloppy and maybe accidentally I also painted over the pants a bit. I will not have to worry about getting rid of this with the layer mask in place, because the image will only show me what I color into the shirt area. Masks are a great tool. My explanation might not be the best, but the internet offers loads of good tutorials on layer masking, such as this one.
Adjustment layers are the bomb
On to the next thing that I use a lot when it comes to shirt making. Adjustment layers. Some of you might be familiar with image effects such as Hue/Saturation. All of these effects can be found in the menu under Image > Adjustments. However, once again, these effects are pretty destructive. They are what you could call "fire and forget". You perform them and your image is adjusted.
If, later on in the design process, you come to the conclusion that you did something wrong and want to undo it you might be undoing a lot of other work as well. Not what you want. Adjustment layers are the non-destructive alternative to this. They will give you the freedom to change for example the Hue/Saturation sliders whenever you want.
There are 2 ways to create an adjustment layer. You can either make one for the entire image or a layer specific one. To create an adjustment layer for the entire image simply click on the adjustment layer button and pick an effect. If you want to do one for just one layer, hold the Alt key while clicking the adjustment layer button and picking an effect.
If done correctly a dialog should appear giving you the option to check a box called "Use previous layer to create clipping mask". Check this option and hit OK. That should make a layer specific adjustment layer, indicated by the layer appearing in some sort of hierarchy above your current layer. By double clicking the created adjustment layer you can always edit the values of the adjustment layer.
Some adjustment layers I use fairly regularly include:
Black & White - I use this one fairly regularly when it comes to sponsor logo's. When you have a sponsor logo with multiple colors (such as the UCI ProTour logo) you can use this layer to quickly turn all the color into black and white tones. Using the layer blend modes you can then easily use the black and white image as a sponsor logo. More about layer modes further down in this post.
Levels - Ideal for changing the contrast of an image.
Hue/Saturation - This one can be used to change the color of a layer. When you have a blue shape, this type of layer can turn it into any other color you want. You can use three sliders to specify a color. One is the actual color, one is the lightness of the color (dark or brighter) and the last one is the saturation which changes the saturation (duh) of the color.
Layer styles can go a long way
Not all the style effects Photoshop offers are particularly useful in kit making. Layer styles are effects you can give to a specific layer. They also give you the ability to do so in a non-destructive way. That really is the keyword when it comes to Photoshop in my book. Non-destructive.
Some of the most useful:
Stroke - Gives the contents of layer a border and lets you choose the color and thickness. Ideal when you want a line around your shape.
Color overlay - When you have a black logo you can't use a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer to change its color. Black is black, there's no way around that using the adjustment layer. However, there is using layer styles. The color overlay basically lets you pick a color and the contents of your layer will be filled with that color. Great for making black logos into a different color. Because it is non-destructive you can change the colors of your entire jersey with a few simple clicks. Great for making those national shirts.
Blend the sh*t out of it
Multiply - We all know, or should know, this baby because it's what we use to overlay the "plis" onto the shirt. Basically what it does is extract all the white from your layer and make it into the color of whatever's beneath it. You use it for the "plis" but you can also use it for logos that you want to put onto a jersey. The logo below is ideal for using multiply if all you want is to have a black logo on your shirt. No need for Magic Wanding or masking at all.
Screen - This does almost the opposite of multiplying. Where multiplying gets rid of white and leaves black, screen gets rid of black and leaves white. Once again, when all you want to go for is a white logo this is what you can go for. Combining this layer effect with adjustment layers such as Black & White and Invert can really help you with your basic logos. It really is the combination of all of these that can really help you out. Think of the abilities you can get when using some of these effects combined. The logo below would be ideal to use in Screen blending mode.
And that's about it. Hopefully some people will get something out of this and will make people think about how they can optimize their design process. Photoshop really is full of good tools that can do stuff for you in easy ways that would normally take you hours to do on yourself. This post probably doesn't even scratch the surface of the possibilities. Eitherway, I hope someone can find a use for it. |
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| roturn |
Posted on 03-11-2010 09:31
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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Very nice. Especially the last point was very annoying for me always.
But this makes it a lot better 
Thanks for this. |
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| thijs21031994 |
Posted on 03-11-2010 11:43
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Amateur
Posts: 7
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PCM$: 200.00
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thanks i will watch KenL's tutorial too hope to make beutifull shirts.
You good luck too. |
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| Cycledelic |
Posted on 03-11-2010 13:48
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Under 23
Posts: 54
Joined: 19-08-2010
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Hey mate, what a great tutorial! For me who sucks at PS this is might what I just need to start making my own shirts. Not that there are a lot of great shirt-makers here but it seems they have a lot to do! Great work! 
Thor Hushovd - World Champion 2010!! |
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| thijs21031994 |
Posted on 03-11-2010 14:38
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Amateur
Posts: 7
Joined: 14-09-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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when you minimize your logo it get's very unclear,
is there somethiong to solve this without taking smaller logo's.
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| devnl |
Posted on 03-11-2010 14:41
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Free Agent
Posts: 104
Joined: 25-03-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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thijs21031994 wrote:
when you minimize your logo it get's very unclear,
is there somethiong to solve this without taking smaller logo's.
I don't really know what you mean here. It's usual behaviour to lose pixels when making an image smaller. If it helps to explain your problem in Dutch you could send me a PM and I'll see if I can work out what you mean. |
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| maykeny |
Posted on 26-04-2011 11:24
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Junior Rider
Posts: 42
Joined: 24-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Wich programs do you use to create shirts or anything ( I alredy have ADDOBE PHOTOSHOP but i have some problems so eny other programs ??? |
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| roturn |
Posted on 26-04-2011 11:31
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
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Photoshop might already be the best. But you can also use GIMP, a freeware with most of the same functions. Also Paint.NET is a freeware but with less functions.
All 3 programs are able to make shirts. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 11:41
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| markene2 |
Posted on 26-04-2011 11:46
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Domestique
Posts: 419
Joined: 22-06-2007
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I always use paint.net for shirts. Though PS is a great program for graphics. But it is a bit too expensive, while there is good freeware that does the same job i dont find it nesseceary to buy PS.
Great guide though, layers are always important, i am convinced that many people will have good use of this!
Edited by markene2 on 26-04-2011 11:46
Venga Vino
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 26-04-2011 11:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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I think GIMP is easier to handle but resizing logos is better with Photoshop. I use GIMP for most of my works and sometimes Photoshop for details.
(Shouldn´t make a difference if you use it for shirts or equipment)
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| maykeny |
Posted on 26-04-2011 12:07
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Junior Rider
Posts: 42
Joined: 24-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Any other programs than GIMP I alredy used GIMP in the past but I wasent good whit it , I had some other photoshop but my pc die and i dont remer the name , but i know tha somebody from this site recomedet to me so I"m trying to fint that program heare ....
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| maykeny |
Posted on 28-04-2011 12:18
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Junior Rider
Posts: 42
Joined: 24-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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noboy?? |
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| miggi133 |
Posted on 28-04-2011 12:25
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3141
Joined: 19-08-2009
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Was it Paint.Net?
I myself would recommend Gimp though as it is fairly easy to use
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| maykeny |
Posted on 28-04-2011 12:29
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Junior Rider
Posts: 42
Joined: 24-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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yes !! thans !!! you make my day happyer |
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| roturn |
Posted on 28-04-2011 12:45
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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roturn wrote:
Photoshop might already be the best. But you can also use GIMP, a freeware with most of the same functions. Also Paint.NET is a freeware but with less functions.
All 3 programs are able to make shirts.
markene2 wrote:
I always use paint.net for shirts. Though PS is a great program for graphics. But it is a bit too expensive, while there is good freeware that does the same job i dont find it nesseceary to buy PS.
Great guide though, layers are always important, i am convinced that many people will have good use of this!
You might have to read the whole answer. Would save you some days of waiting time sometimes. 
Edited by roturn on 28-04-2011 12:46
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| Axletig |
Posted on 05-11-2011 03:54
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Under 23
Posts: 52
Joined: 05-07-2011
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How do you get your'e shirts to be 556KB
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| lluuiiggii |
Posted on 05-11-2011 04:02
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8542
Joined: 30-07-2010
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You just save them in the correct size and correct format (32-bit .tga)
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| Matrix |
Posted on 09-08-2012 04:34
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 287
Joined: 09-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Curious, havent been a member long. But can you change the frames and componets looks in PS? It would be very nice to see some great bikes under riders. Not that the normal bikes are awful, but a full team kit & bike would be perfect.
Pain,Agony,Suffering...Thats why I love cycling!  |
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 09-08-2012 05:47
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Matrix wrote:
Curious, havent been a member long. But can you change the frames and componets looks in PS? It would be very nice to see some great bikes under riders. Not that the normal bikes are awful, but a full team kit & bike would be perfect.
Download and install a Database created by the major websites. PCM.Daily's Database
You will find most of these have up to date and accurate kits for all teams including their equipment.
AZTECA - NBCSN  |
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| Matrix |
Posted on 18-08-2012 23:40
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 287
Joined: 09-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Kentaurus wrote:
Matrix wrote:
Curious, havent been a member long. But can you change the frames and componets looks in PS? It would be very nice to see some great bikes under riders. Not that the normal bikes are awful, but a full team kit & bike would be perfect.
Download and install a Database created by the major websites. PCM.Daily's Database
You will find most of these have up to date and accurate kits for all teams including their equipment.
Thank you, I got the game from a friend (PCM 2010), and he had lost all instructions and everything that came with the game except the product code (THANK GOD). So pretty much playing by watching videos, reading ideas and trial and error.
Pain,Agony,Suffering...Thats why I love cycling! |
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