How to Create a Watermark in Photoshop

I use Photoshop to create watermarks as a way to protect my online art. A watermark is a subtle graphic or text identifier: logo, copyright information, pattern, etc. It helps deter web viewers from downloading that image and using it without your permission.

Steps for Embedding Text

1. Select the Horizontal Type Tool
2. Click anywhere on the image. This will automatically create a new layer on top of the existing image layer.
   Type the text you want. In my case, I type my copyright information: © 2015 Anne S. Katzeff
3. With the Move Tool, position the text where you want it. I usually place it in the center of the image, on top of a key area.
4. Select the text. Using the Eyedropper Tool, click on the image color that lies underneath the text.
5. In the Layers Panel, change the blending mode from Normal to Screen (or Multiply, if you want the text to be darker instead of lighter).
6. In the Layers Panel, change the opacity to 30% or less. Adjust the opacity as necessary.
7. If you want to be able to edit the file in the future, you should keep a copy of it with the layers intact and save that copy as a PSD. JPG files are flattened, and thus have no layers.

Pink Whispers, Pastel, © 2015 Anne S. Katzeff

Steps for Embedding a Graphic

1. Make sure the graphic is large enough for your purposes.
2. Make sure the graphic is 1-color. Open it in Photoshop. Go to the Image menu at the top of the file, and scroll down to Mode > Grayscale. A pop-up window will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to discard the color information. Agree by clicking the Discard button. Save As: name-of-graphic-gray.jpg.
3. Bring the new gray graphic into the art image file:
   Select the layer with CMMD-OPTION-SHIFT (Mac) / CNTRL-OPTION-SHIFT (PC), then drag it into the art file. This method will center it exactly in the art file.
4. If necessary, resize the image (not too much upscaling or it will pixelate):
   Select the layer with the graphic. Go to the Edit menu and scroll down to Transform > Scale. Use the Shift key to constrain the scaling to correct proportions, then click and drag a corner of the scale box. Hit the Enter key when finished.
   
5. In the Layers Panel, change the blending mode from Normal to Screen (or Multiply, if you want the text to be darker instead of lighter).
6. In the Layers Panel, change the opacity to 30% or less. Adjust the opacity as necessary.
7. Optional: apply a Color Overlay. Layer > Layer Style > Color Overlay. Blend Mode = normal. Change the color of the overlay by click on the color box. The color picker window will pop up. You can pick colors there or click on the image itself, where your cursor will change to the Eyedropper Tool.
8. If you want to be able to edit the file in the future, you should keep a copy of it with the layers intact and save that copy as a PSD. JPG files are flattened, and thus have no layers.
   

Use a Watermarked File as a Template

Once you’ve applied the watermark to an art file, retain all of the layers and settings, and use that file as a template. Simply click and drag the watermark from the template file to new files. Adjustments in size, blending modes, opacity, and color overlays may be needed.

What Do You Use?

There are many software programs and online tools that create watermarks. What have you used? How do you like these other tools?

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