How to make a nice header graphic?

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Introduction:

I will be using Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended for my tutorial. If you are stuck at any steps please download the .psd file and look inside for the clues. Eventually you can contact me for one-on-one help.

Step 1:

Step One: Creating a new document.

Create a new document using width of 400 pixels and height of 200 pixels with a 72 dpi and white background.

Step 2:

Step Two: Making a rectangle.

Click on the Rectangular Marquee Tool (shortcut "M") and enter the Fixed size: width 300px and height 100px

Step Two: You should have the following.

Then Click on the document on the left corner to make the Marquee appear.

Step 3:

Step Three: Creating a new layer.

Create a new layer.

Step 4:

Step Four: Paint Tool the Marquee.

Take the Paint Tool with a fill color white and click inside the Marquee to apply.
Note: For the purpose of the tutorial I made the background layer invisible so that it will be easier to see.

Step 5:

Step Five: Blending Options - Gradient.

Double click on the "Layer 1" (not on the name but the blue part) to open the Blending Options.
Then click on Gradient Overlay.

Step 6:

Step Six: Blending Options - Gradient Colors.

Click on the Gradient Box to edit the current Gradient. Change the far left color to #4f54aa and also change the far right color to #9292ef.

Step 7:

Step Seven: Blending Options - Stroke Color.

Click on Stroke and match the values.

Step 8:

Step Eight: Blending Options - Drop shadow.

Click on Drop Shadow and match the values.

Step 9:

Step Nine: You should have the following.

You should now see the following on your screen.

Step 10:

Step Ten: Draw a rectangle.

Draw a rectangle as follow using Rectangle Tool with color black.

Step 11:

Step Eleven: Warp tool.

Go to Edit > Path Transform > Wrap

Step 12:

Step Telve: Warp tool2.

Make the Rectangle as shown.

Step 13:

Step Thirten: Rasterize.

Right Click on Shape 1 and Rasterized Layer.

Step 14:

Step Thirten: Move Layer.

Drag and drop the layer Shape 1 as follow.

Step 15:

Step Fithten: Blur.

Go to Filter > Blur > Guassian Blur. Make the value 5.

Step 16:

Step Sixten: Final Touch.

For our final touch make the Opacity 50% and Fill 38%.

End:

The End.

This is our final image - I hope you had fun and follwed the tutorial without issue.

Contact Information

Please Contact me if you need help: info@jeromeheuze.com

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