SUBJECT: Adjusting tracking (space between letters)

PROGRAM: PSCS3 (can be adapted for PS7, PSCS2, PSCS4)

PREREQUISITES: Be able to open a document in Photoshop and use the type tool to create text

Fonts with a fair amount of spacing between the letters are popular journaling choices. You can create this effect with any font in Photoshop.

Start with any layout in progress with text on it, or if you just want to practice open a blank canvas in Photoshop and type something. Click on the Type Tool in the Tools Palette.

Click and drag on your text to highlight it.

If the Character Palette is not open go to Window>Character to open it.

Click on the tracking icon in the Character Palette. The tracking icon looks like an AV with a horizontal double headed arrow below them. A setting of ’0′ leaves the font at its default spacing. A negative setting will move the letters closer together and a positive setting will move them further apart. I am selecting 200. You can type in a setting if the number you want is not available in the drop down menu.

Click on the check mark in the Options Toolbar to commit your changes.

That’s all there is to it!

Here’s my completed page. Jamin and Mya with their cousin Finn visiting a local pumpkin patch.

Credits: A Bit Wonky Templates by Darcy Baldwin, Falltastic by Lleilla Designs, lace trim from Reminisce (retired) by Misty Cato (recolored), Font – DJB Lorraine1