Creating a Backscreen for CRs or WMs

This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental.
The greatest benefit to using a Backscreen is not only the pleasing look, but also that it aids in making text stand out well on backgrounds that may otherwise be difficult to place text on. This tutorial is inspired by the Backscreen Tutorial created by Jasc Art Resource Center. NOTE: Any reference to CR also applies to a WM.

No Supplies. Create your tag as you normally would but don’t add CR yet! Resize the tag to a manageable size. I use 500 for longest side.
Add the CR as a New Layer and move to desired spot. If the CR is readable everything is fine at this point.
However, if your tag is busy or dark you may not be able to read the CR as clearly as you should (top image on tag).

There is a Solution!

Step 1 Add a New Layer, move below the CR. Rename layer backscreen.
Step 2 Go to Selection Tool, Rectangle.
Step 3 Draw a rectangle that extends 10 to 15 pixels around the CR.
Step 4 Flood Fill with white or another color that compliments the tag.
Step 5 Lower the Opacity of backscreen layer until you can see tag below and the CR is still readable (bottom image on tag). NOTE: Instead of lowering Opacity you can change backscreen layer’s Blend Mode to Soft Light and it should have the same effect.

OK, Say your backscreen looks too intrusive and you want to put it just around the CR. That can be done.

Step 6 Highlight CR layer.
Step 7 Take the Magic Wand and select anywhere in the canvas.
Step 8 Go to Selections / Invert. Just the text should be selected.
Step 9 Go to Selections / Modify / Expand by 2 or however wide you want the backscreen to be.
Step 10 Go to Selections / Invert again.
Step 11 Highlight the backscreen layer and hit the Delete key on the keyboard.
Step 12 Selections / Select None. (Middle image on tag.)

TIP: You can Merge Down the CR layer onto the backscreen layer so you can move it around the tag to a spot where the CR is most readable. OR you can click on the Layer Link Toggle for both layers in the Layer Palette and they will change to a one (1) and you can move them around without Merging. That way if you need to change the Opacity or Blend Mode you won’t have to start over.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 10/18/09 by Kaye'z Designz.