Photoshop: Christmas Card Tutorials

[Sonny]

I know, I know...Thanksgiving is still three days away but I figured I post these anyways.

There are literally hundreds of these tutorials out on the web. Many are cartoon-ish and hokey so I thought I'd post a few of the nicer ones. You can use these tutorials as-is or combine elements to create a unique design.


How to Design a Photo-Collage Holiday Card in Photoshop




Greeting E-card Drawing Tips (Exclusive Tutorial) | Drawing Techniques



Design Christmas card with tree balls in Photoshop



We wish you a Merry Christmas illustration



Christmas ornaments wallpaper

[hue-e]

if you have illustrator, you can also do a google search for "free vector" and download backgrounds where you're able to easily move elements around to customize the layout.

[andyz]

Sonny, it isn't to early, thank you.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by hue-e

if you have illustrator, you can also do a google search for "free vector" and download backgrounds where you're able to easily move elements around to customize the layout.

Where's the fun and 'learning know how' in that?

[hue-e]

I didn't say anything about not learning something from doing that. In fact, what I suggested gives you the freedom to be more creative, and make your designs more custom instead of outright taking someone else's design/s and throwing your photos on them.

You can learn what you will from the tutorials you posted, but I just gave a different option/format for the backgrounds.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by hue-e

I didn't say anything about not learning something from doing that. In fact, what I suggested gives you the freedom to be more creative, and make your designs more custom instead of outright taking someone else's design/s and throwing your photos on them.

You can learn what you will from the tutorials you posted, but I just gave a different option/format for the backgrounds.

[hue-e]

oh, and contrary to popular belief.. photoshop is a really hard program to design in. It takes longer to get to the same place. It's just not really designed to do layout/graphic design, it's meant to put the "icing" on designs you create in other places.

Illustrator is a little more fluid and easy to just create on the fly, try stuff out, move things out of the way, etc... but it certainly has a sizable learning curve as PS does.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by hue-e

oh, and contrary to popular belief.. photoshop is a really hard program to design in. It takes longer to get to the same place. It's just not really designed to do layout/graphic design, it's meant to put the "icing" on designs you create in other places.

Opinions of PS as a 'design tool' will vary. I use PS to design everything only because I am very comfortable with the software. I'm not saying it's the right tool, but it's the right tools for me...right now.

Originally Posted by hue-e

Illustrator is a little more fluid and easy to just create on the fly

I'm guessing you say Illustrator is more fluid and easier because you've been using it for a while?

Originally Posted by hue-e

but it certainly has a sizable learning curve as PS does.

That's why I don't use it. I taught myself to use PS and I would love to learn Illustrator but good gosh it's so freakin complicated. Then again it's prolly my metal handicap.

I guess it's back to Lynda.com for some more training.

[hue-e]

I've been using most adobe products for 15yrs... so I'm well versed in both.

creative suite comes with Illustrator so I'm really only throwing it out there incase some of you guys have it but don't use it. It's an extremely powerful design tool... much more than PS. It's not really any more complicated, just complicated in it's own ways ;)

I'm not saying it's not a design tool, jsut that you have a little less freedom as you would with Illustrator. I know plenty of designers that do everything in PS, and others that will flat out call you a hack for using it. Personally, I don't care either way... I say whatever works for you, works for you.

[PhotoByLeal]

thanks Sonny!

[bobby71]

Could be an interesting option for cards this year.

What would be the best/cheapest way to get these printed? Any suggestions?
I know that's probably 2 questions, but maybe 1 place would do the trick.

Thanks!

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by bobby71

Could be an interesting option for cards this year.

What would be the best/cheapest way to get these printed? Any suggestions?
I know that's probably 2 questions, but maybe 1 place would do the trick.

Thanks!

I doubt theses places are the cheapest but theyhave good quality and a good selection of options.

AdoramaPix - Home
Mpix.com - Home

[Patti Edens]

Thanks Sonny! Interesting discussion. I barely get around in Photoshop, so I love getting a freebie template where I can just drop stuff in. I was planning something a bit different for this year's card, but in case I don't get it done, I have this one to fall back on...

That was easy!

I really appreciate all of the links, tips and help you provide Sonny. I have learned a lot from your posts.

[Sonny]

Thank you very much Patti. That means a lot to me. Your card looks great!

Most of what I know (photography & post processing), I was lucky enough to have learned from two great friends, Jordan Chan & Mike Fulton. I try to emulate their love for sharing knowledge and helping others grow.

[Abel]

i need to make a cool creative card to send out this year. hard to be cool and creative as a christmas card if its just me in the pic. lol