Button Coloring in Photoshop

If you ever feel like sketching, coloring and creating your own button all on your own, here's how!

In Photoshop, import your sketches by scanning at 300 dpi (or higher if you're sketches are a bit smaller than usual). Once your scan pops up, you'll notice that they will be a bit on the gray side because of sketching and the template print out. So the next step will be to up the contrast such that your outlines/drawings show up more prominently. Go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Increase the contrast into the +20 to +40 range. The preview should be on so you can see how much your image changes.

Now make a copy of the Background layer and create a new layer that you will use to color on. Change the layer ordering such that your Background copy appears at the top of the list and the new layer appears right below it. Change the Background layer's Blending option to Multiply so that you would be able to see your coloring through the layer.

Select the new layer, choose a brush and color. I would suggest using a "fuzzy" round brush so you can get a "concentrated spray paint" coloring.

Once you're done coloring, flatten the layers. You can crop out each individual button. The crop tool should be set at 1.6608" to get the exact button size. Save it!

Now open InDesign, create a new document and place your button in it. To put in the usual "B&G Yearbook '08" tag, use the Ellipse tool and drag a circle over the inner circle of the button. Adjust and line up the circle exactly. Choose the Type on a Path tool (hold the mouse click over T or hit Shift+T) and click over the Top Middle anchor point on the circle you just drew. The type cursor should be flashing at this moment. Type the text, change the size to 6pt and align center. The text should be upside down at this moment. Go to the menu bar, select Type > Type on a Path > Options and choose Flip. And that should be it!

A much more detailed tutorial/set of instructions will be available in the bin next to the door with all the other design handouts. =) Blank button templates will also be available in the office.