Two Tone Framing in Photoshop

SUBJECT: Creating a two-tone frame around a photo.

PROGRAM: PSCS3 (can be adapted for other versions of Photoshop)

PREREQUISITES: Be able to open a photo in Photoshop and use the foreground/background color picker to select colors.

In this tutorial I will demonstration how to set up a stroke layer style to create a two tone frame.  Once you understand how to set up the layer style, you’ll be able to create frames of multiple colors and varying widths.

To begin with open a photo in Photoshop and go to Layer>Layer from Background.

To facilitate things later, set the foreground and background colors to the two colors you want to use for your frame.  This step is optional, but will save time later.  I’ve chosen black and ‘Minnie Mouse’ pink.

Go to Layer>Layer Style>Stroke.

The Layer Style dialogue box will open.  Make sure the box labeled ‘Preview’ on the right hand side is checked.

Next set the ‘Position’ to Inside.  Adjust the size slider until your frame is at the desired width.

Now to go ‘Fill Type’ and select gradient from the drop down menu. Click on the Style drop down and select Shape Burst.

Your dialogue box should look like mine below, with the likely exception of the size slider.

Next click on the gradient bar within the Styles dialogue box to open the Gradient Editor.

In the Gradient Editor you should see a gradient bar, likely showing a gradient from black to white.  Click on the small box at the far lower left of the gradient bar (see arrow 1 below).  Then click on the color picker within the Gradient Editor (see arrow 2 below).  Thirdly click on the desired color in the foreground or background square of the Tools Palette (see arrow 3 below).

Now click below the gradient bar at about the midway point to create a new gradient stop (see arrow below).  This one should be in the same color as the one you just set up.

Repeat this process by clicking on the small box at the far lower right of the gradient bar (see arrow 1 below).  Then click on the color picker within the Gradient Editor (see arrow 2 below).  Thirdly click on the desired color in the foreground or background square of the Tools Palette (see arrow 3 below). This color should be different from the color used on the previous two stops.

Now click below the gradient bar at about the midway point to create a new gradient stop (see arrow below).  This one should be in the same color as the one you just set up.

Click and drag on one of the middle two stops so that they are on top of each other.

Click OK to close the Gradient Editor and OK to close the Layer Styles dialogue box and your photo should have a two-tone border.

Once you get the hang of working with the Gradient Editor, you can set up a wide variety of color stripes and combinations.  Below is a sample of a gradient bar for a three-tone frame.

Here is the resulting frame.

Have fun experimenting!