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TECHNIQUE: Making Layer Styles
By Shelleyrae Cusbert 2008
May 9, 2008, 10:09

Layer styles are a popular selling item right now. Unfortunately many of the free layer styles found online are created at low resolution for web design work, rather than print quality resolution. This means that though the layer styles have some flexibility in many cases you are restricted to using them on smaller items.
However it is simple to make your own layer styles. The source can be anything – from your own, or stock photos, scanned items or your own designs.
The size of the source (both physical and resolution) you use to create the pattern style will influence how it can be used. An item that is 4” x 4” can be used on elements up to that size before a seam from pattern repeat will be visible on the item. You may be able to scale the layer style larger but you may compromise the quality (resolution) in doing so. The larger source you have the more flexibility you will have.
If the pattern or design is suitable you could create a seamless pattern in a much smaller area that will tile to fill the area. You can see a tutorial on this subject in the January issue of Tid-Bytes
This tutorial will demonstrate how to create a unique layer style using a non repeating pattern and variations with Photoshop.

Choose an item you wish to create a layer style with.
I am using a piece of crumpled card that I am going to scan. The card fits over my scanner bed and I choose to scan at 400ppi to increase the resulting size of the scan without compromising quality. This file size is 3381 x 4654px.

Create a new document at 12x12 300pi and drag your new file onto it. Resize the file to fit the document. Make any editing adjustments you wish to adjust as desired.

Go to Edit> Define Pattern and name your pattern. I name all the patterns I make for my own personal use with my initials in front so I don’t confuse them with other styles.

Create a new document at 12x12 300ppi
Use the elliptical marquee tool to draw out a large circle in the center and then fill with color (ALT+ Backspace)

Double click on the circle layer to open the layer style dialog. Select Pattern Overlay from the menu at left. Use the drop down arrow to find the pattern you just created (it usually appears last in the list).

Your circle will now be filled with the pattern you created. Move the Layer style dialog to one side of your screen so you can see the circle underneath.

Move your cursor to the circle and click and drag. This will allow you to choose which part of the pattern will show in the shape. You will notice if you move too close to the edges that a seam appears. PhotoShop automatically tiles pattern files.

If the pattern is too big to be effective on your element then you can adjust the Scale by percentage. Be careful of seams when doing this. Decreasing the scale will show more of your pattern.

Increasing the scale by a modest amount may be achievable but will compromise resolution and quality.

You can simply save and load the pattern to use as and when you need it. (Ensure you save the pattern in Edit> Preset Manager> Patterns)
You can also create and save additional variations of this layer style based on the initial pattern.
For the purposes of this tutorial save this as a layer style. New style> *name*

Select Color Overlay and change the color of the card

Save this as a New Style

Change the color of the overlay and add a Bevel and Emboss style

Save this as a New Style

Lastly add a Inner glow to the circle.

Save this is a New Style

Click OK
Now create a new layer above the circle, and hide the circle layer. Choose the rectangular marquee and draw a square or rectangle and fill the selection (ALT+ Backspace)

Go to your Styles palette. If you can’t see it then go to Window> Styles.
You should find that the last four styles you saved are showing in your palette. Click on each in turn to apply the characteristics of that style to the shape.

You have now created a set of styles based on a single pattern. There are many possible variations to create. You can apply the styles to any shape such as a tag, photo mat or frame.
Save the style set using the preset manager to use again or to share with others.
Go to Edit> Preset Manager. CTRL and click on the styles you created that belong to the set. Select Save, name and save the set to the location you prefer. The set will now be available to load at anytime.

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