How to Use Our PDF Artwork Templates in Adobe Photoshop

​Need some help with placing your design in our artwork templates? 
In this step-by-step walkthrough we'll take a look at building artwork for a DVD trapsheet in Photoshop.

Download the PDF Guidebook

---

DOWNLOAD PDF TEMPLATES

Using Photoshop to Build Your Artwork
Step 1.
Open the PDF file in Photoshop. In the Import PDF dialogue box, ensure you have these settings:
Crop To: Media Box
Resolution: 300 Pixels/Inch
Mode: CMYK Colour (always use CMYK for printing projects)
Then click OK.

Step 2. 
Once opened the PDF will have a chequered background to indicate transparency.

Step 3.
​In the Layers Panel rename the layer to "template" and lock the layer.

Step 4.
Click the three lines icon in the top right of the Layers Panel and select "New Layer..." from the menu.
​Call this new layer "page fill" then click OK.

Step 5.
​With the new layer still selected go to Edit > Fill... and set "Contents: White", then click OK.

Step 6.
Click and drag the page fill layer below the template layer.
​You should now have a white background behind the template.

Step 7.
When placing images onto the artwork, you can create new layers between the page fill and the template layers. Always keep the template layer at the top.

(If you are sending a PSD print file to us, ensure that you are using the option File > Place Embedded for any images so that no links are lost.)

Step 7. 
After adding text you should then go to Type > Rasterize Type Layer to avoid any missing font issues when sending the file for printing (if not being sent as a TIFF or PDF file).

Always keep a saved .psd version of your artwork (before rasterizing type) on your desktop for if changes to text and images are necessary.

Step 8.
Make sure all images that bleed past the edges of the trapsheet, extend to the green dotted guideline.
Keep all text within the blue dotted guideline to ensure it doesn't get cut off the edge if too close.
The red solid dieline is where the artwork will be cut.

Step 9.
When you're ready to save your artwork for printing first hide the template layer in the Layers Panel.
Do this by clicking the eye icon to the left of the template layer's preview thumbnail. 
​
Then open the side menu and select "Flatten Image". When prompted click OK to discard hidden layers.

Once flattened, you should see one layer called "Background", this layer will be locked.

Go to File > Save As and choose TIFF as the file format. 

---

If you would like to watch the video tutorials on how to prepare artwork with our templates in Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, please click the button below.

WATCH TUTORIAL VIDEOS