To use Photoshop to promote your company, you need to keep in mind are the basics and you can start from there. In creating web banners for your company, consider starting with the horizontal banner because it's the first thing that your web visitors will notice. It could make or break your company's image since it sets the tone of the page. A well-designed horizontal web banner will also make a good impression on prospective clients.
Important Information
A web banner should include the name of the site, product or the company. The corporate logo should also be posted; a good corporate logo usually incorporates art and photography with a catchy motto or call-to-action phrase. This can be achieved by making use of Photoshop. Read on to discover how to create web banners with Photoshop to promote your company.
Getting Started
Start creating the banner by opening your Photoshop application software. Click "File" and choose "New" from the drop down menu. Once the file creation dialog appears, set the file parameters and dimensions of your banner. A standard banner is 468 pixels wide and 60 pixels high. For the screen resolution, choose the default settings at 72 pixels per inch. Click on OK once you're finished. A black rectangle will show up and this will be the working screen for your banner.
Adding Background Color
Click on "Layer" and "New" in the drop down menu to create a layer for the banner's background color. Choose your preferred color. You can change the default color by clicking on the small black box that can be found in the "Tools" panel. Look for the overlapping boxes that open the "Color Picker" panel. Move your cursor around the panel and choose your preferred hue or shade, then click OK. Fill it with your chosen color by clicking the "Paint Bucket" tool.
Creating a New Color Panel
To create a new color panel inside your newly-filled box, select the "Rectangular Marquee" tool and create a box that is not as wide or tall as your background. This will be your border. Click on the "Paint Bucket" panel to fill the rectangle with your preferred color.
Adding a Picture
You can add a picture by clicking "File" and then "Open" again. Choose an image from your desktop, My Pictures or any other file. Click on the Image then select Image Size. Your image should be as tall as your banner, but should only be 1/4 to 1/8 of its width. Click on "Select All" and click again on the "Move" tool so you can drag the image on top of your banner. You can also click on "Layer" and "Layer Styles" to add a drop shadow effect to your photo. To achieve this, click on "Blending Option."
Adding Your Company Logo
To add your company logo, click "Layer," "New," and name the new layer as "Logo". Follow the same procedure listed above.
Call-to-Action Text Banner
To add a call-to-action text banner, click "T" on the "Tools" panel and simply drag the cursor to create a text block for your banner. Type your call-to-action message on the text block. You can change the color and size of the font by choosing the "Character Palette" panel.
Saving Your Work
Finally, click "File" and "Save As" to save your file. Make sure to save it in the PSD format to preserve all the layers. For smaller files, you can save it in the JPG format.
