How to Create a Background Texture with Photoshop

BACKGROUND in visual arts, refers to the part of an image representing what lies behind objects in the Foreground (objects of interest). Backgrounds help bring into focus the objects of interest in visual arts by focusing the attention of viewers to the Foreground. Improper use of Background will hide your objects of interest. Choosing the right Background will highlight your images.

Texture is the surface quality of an object that can be seen or felt. It is one of the elements of design. Texture enhances the visual feel of an object.

With Photoshop we have numerous tools to create stunning background textures. Here, we will create a background image for a Business Card. The Business Card is for an Exotic Leather Retailer. The steps are:

Steps for Creating a Business Card Background Texture:

• Step 1 - Open Adobe Photoshop. Download Business Card Template (right click/Save As).
• Step 2 - Show Guide.
• Step 3 - Create a new Layer.
• Step 4 - Fill the new Layer with your base color.
• Step 5 - Download Textures.
• Step 6 - Blend with a Layer Mask, then dab the joined edges with the Brush Tool, on sponge at 60%.
• Step 7 - Merge the 2 Layers in the Layers Panel. Save.
• Step 8 - Colorize image. In the Image menu select Adjustments – Hue/Saturation.
• Step 9 - Add another Layer. Save.
• Step 10 - Fill Layer with light yellow (f2e67b). Adjust Layer Mode to Linear Burn, Opacity 50%. Save.
• Step 11 - Place all of your business card elements.
• Step 12 - Convert to CMYK Mode. Rasterize. Adjust Image size to 360 PPI/DPI. Flatten Layer. Save.
• Step 13 - Save as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format for printing. TIFF files are larger than JPEG, but they retain full quality of the image. They can be compressed or uncompressed, but the compression is loss-less, meaning that although the file gets a little smaller, no information is lost.
• Step 14 - Upload to our design suite for printing/delivery.

You now have a Background Image ready for your Logo, Pictures, Image, and Text.

Step 1 - Download the Template

Download the business card template here (right click/Save As). Open Adobe Photoshop. Open the template.

Your Business Card Template:

Step 2 - Show Guides

Click View – Show Guide

Pull down Guide from the Rulers

Step 3 - Create New Layer

Create a new Layer from the Layers Panel.

Step 4 - Fill Layer with Base Color

Create new Fill Color for the new Layer. Open Fill Color Menu. Choose the tan color (dfc611) on the Color Picker

Use Paint Bucket. Fill the Layer

Step 5 - Download Textures

Download Textures: Snake Skin and Alligator Skin (right click, Save As both images).

Place Textures in the image. Name one Layer Snakeskin. The other Layer Alligator Skin. Place the Alligator Skin below the Snakeskin on the Layers Panel stacking order.

Step 6 - Blend Textures

To blend the two textures, create a Layer Mask for the Snakeskin.

Use the Brush Tool at Multiply Mode with Opacity at 60%. Dab the Brush tool on the edges of the Snakeskin Texture to blend the 2 images. Save.

Step 7 - Merge Layers

Merge Layers. Select both layers by pressing the Shift key on your keyboard, then left mouse click the 2 Layers. Then Select Merge from the Layers Menu. Save.

Step 8 - Colorize Image

Colorize the color of the image. In the Image menu select Adjustments – Hue/Saturation

Input in the pop- up panel: Hue – 54; Saturation – 39; Lightness +0, check Colorize, choose Custom. Save.

Step 9 - Add Layer

Add another Layer

Fill the Layer with a light yellow color (f2e67b).

Step 10 - Finish Background

To achieve a golden tan color, adjust the new Layer to Linear Burn; Opacity to 50%. Save.

Step 11 - Place Your Elements

Add your text elements to the business card design.

Step 12 - Adjust Settings

Open Image Menu. Choose Mode. Select CMYK. Merge Image.

Open Image Menu. Select Image Size. Unclick Resample Image. Input 360 in the Resolution Box.

Open Layers Menu. Select Flatten Image.

Step 13 - Prepare for Printing

Save. Save a Copy as TIFF for our printers.

Step 14 - Upload for Printing

Upload your TIFF file to our business card design suite to see an instant proof and to order your cards. We use a lithography press and four color printing to precisely replicate your design on the card. To learn how to upload and print your design, visit our custom business card printing page.