Friday, May 1, 2020

How to Create a Promotional Flyer in Photoshop

How to Create a Promotional Flyer in Photoshop
Final product image
What You'll Be Creating

Photoshop is a great tool for graphic design, especially digital graphics that only are displayed on screen, in addition to its namesake tasks of tweaking photographs. But that's not all it's good for. With proper knowledge and thinking, you can use Photoshop to create stunning print designs as well.

This tutorial will take you through the basic steps of creating the eye-catching flyer seen above, which can be printed right away in print-shop-ready CMYK colors, directly from Photoshop. You can follow this tutorial to make this exact flyer, or tweak the steps with the content and colors you want to get the flyer style you'd like using the same methods.

Don't have access to Photoshop? Or maybe you are short on time? If so, I have a great option for you as well! Placeit offers hundreds of professionally made flyer templates that you can customize to fit your exact needs! No design skills required! Placeit is quick, easy, and requires no extra software. Create mockups, logos, videos & designs in seconds!

Placeit

Otherwise, this tutorial will show you a professional workflow. Let's get started!

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

Tutorial Assets

This tutorial uses royalty-free images from Envato, along with some custom-made vector icons that I have created in Illustrator specifically for this project. You'll find each of them, along with a completed PSD file you can use to compare with your work, in the download on this tutorial's sidebar.

This tutorial also uses the Proxima Nova Font Family, which comes with an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. You can sync that font to your computer and use it with this tutorial, or use another similar typeface of your own.

1. Hot to Set Up a Document With Guides

Step 1

First, set up a document with the correct size and settings for print. Create a new document in Photoshop, and set its dimensions to 216 x 154 mm. These dimensions represent A5 paper size with a 3 mm bleed added to each edge. Since we are going to create artwork for print, set the Color Mode to CMYK and Resolution to 300 Pixels/Inch.

new photoshop document

Step 2

Create new guides that will represent the bleed area. Illustrator and InDesign have this function built in, but in Photoshop, we have to create it ourselves. Use the Move Tool (V) and the Shift key to create a horizontal guide by dragging the cursor from the top ruler. Make sure that the guide is located 3 mm along on the Y-axis.

add horizontal guide

Step 3

Repeat the same process to create guides along each edge of the document. Make sure that each guide is inset 3 mm from its corresponding edge.

finished guides

2. How to Create a Background

Step 1

Press Shift-Command-N to create a new Layer. Fill it with White as the Foreground Color (Alt-Backspace). Make sure that you have the CMYK Sliders turned on so you're using print colors.

cmyk sliders

Step 2

Create a new Gradient Overlay. In the Layer Style panel, edit the Gradient. Set the white slider Location to 30%. Change the color of the black slider to Pale Yellow (C=9 M=6 Y=14 K=0).

gradient overlay in Photoshop menu
Add a gradient overlay from the fxbutton in the layer pane...
Photoshop Gradient Editor
...then customize your gradient...
pick stop colors
...with the colors you want for the document

Step 3

Use the Rectangle Tool (U) to create a new rectangle. Set its size to 216 mm by 56 mm.

Create a rectangle

Step 4

Align the rectangle to the left top corner of the document. Fill it with Dark Brown (C=49 M=74 Y=80 K=70).

Add dark brown rectangle

Step 5

Use the Pen Tool (P) to add a new anchor point at the lower edge of the rectangle.

add anchor point to rectangle

Step 6

With the Direct Selection Tool (A), play around with the anchor handles to create a nice Bezier curve.

bezier curve

Step 7

Follow the same steps to adjust the rectangle into the shape shown below.

adjust curved rectangle

Step 8

Go to File > Place Embedded..., and then select the people-1.jpg image from the Resource Pack.

add picture

Step 9

Use the Move Tool (V) to move the photo around the document. Place it in the upper top corner as shown below.

place picture

Step 10

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (U). Set its size to 216 mm by 100 mm.

add another rectangle

Step 11

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to place the rectangle directly above the photo in the upper left corner.

place rectangle over photo

Step 12

In the Rectangle Tool panel options, select Mask. This will create a vector mask applied to the layer with the photo.

add vector mask to rectangle

Step 13

Add a new anchor point to the mask with the Pen Tool (P). Create a curvy Bezier curve with the Direct Selection Tool (A).

add anchor point to mask

Step 14

Using the same tools, the Pen Tool and the Direct Selection Tool, try to adjust the mask into the shape shown below. Notice the position of the anchor points and the simplicity of the shape. The fewer anchor points you use, the smoother the final mask will appear.

adjust mask to see curve

Step 15

Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to 6.

add blur

Step 16

Select the Smart Filters mask. Use the Gradient Tool (G) to fade the mask from left to right.

add smart filter
Gradient Direction
Set the gradient direction as left to right to blur out the image towards the right

Step 17

Create a new Layer Mask. Use the Brush Tool (B) to fade the stairs on the photo. Use some basic instinct and creativity.

add layer mask
fade stairs to reveal brown

Step 18

Create a new Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layer by clicking the sun icon in the Adjustments panel. Set the Brightness to 40 and Contrast to 10.

add brightness adjustment layer

Step 19

Right-click on the Adjustment Layer and select Create Clipping Mask. This will apply the new brightness settings only to the photo below.

create clipping mask

Step 20

Create a new Solid Color. Set the Color Fill to Brown (C=30 M=80 Y=100 K=30).

add color

Step 21

Click on the vector mask from the photo layer. Hold the Alt key and drag the mask over the brown Color Fill. This action will duplicate the selected mask.

duplicate mask

Step 22

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) and drag the top-right anchor point to the upper right corner.

add anchor point to color layer

Step 23

Use the Brush Tool (B) to reveal some areas of the photo beneath the brown fill. Set the Layer Opacity to 75%.

reveal photo below the brown fill

Step 24

Draw a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (U).

Add another new rectangle

Step 25

Fill the rectangle with Light Brown Color (C=10 M=65 Y=100 K=0).

light brown

Step 26

Place the layer with the light brown rectangle beneath the dark brown rectangle.

move layer

Step 27

Use the Pen Tool (P) with the Direct Selection Tool (A) to adjust the rectangle into a curved shape, as shown below.

adjust rectangle

3. How to Add Text and a Logo

Step 1

Create a new Ellipse (U). Set its dimensions to 248 px by 248 px. Fill it with Brown Color (C=30 M=80 Y=100 K=30).

add ellipse

Step 2

Add a Drop Shadow effect. Set the Opacity to 14%, Distance to 5 px, and Size to 15 px.

add drop shadow
Add a drop shadow to the layer from the fx button in the layer pane
tweak shadow
Tweak your drop shadow with these settings

Step 3

Create a new Ellipse (U). Set its dimensions to 400 px by 400 px. Fill it with Dark Blue Color (C=100 M=80 Y=45 K=50).

add another ellipse

Step 4

Use the same Drop Shadow effect and apply it to the ellipse. You can either recreate create the shadow or right-click and select Copy Layer Style and then paste the layer style on the other ellipse. Put the layer with the dark blue ellipse beneath the one with the brown ellipse.

reuse drop shadow effect

Step 5

Add text with the Type Tool (T). This tutorial uses the Proxima Nova family. The top title Size is 17 pt. Add the rest of the text, with each one on a separate layer. Use the Move Tool (V) to place each line accordingly, as outlined in the image shown below.

add text

Step 6

Repeat the same process to add new text. Set the Size of the first line to 31 pt. 

add new text

Step 7

Create a new title using the Type Tool (T). Set the Font to Proxima Nova Light and the Size to 18 pt.

add title

Step 8

Add the subtitle, again, using the Type Tool (T). Set the Size to 36 pt. Adjust the Character Tracking to -10.

add subtitle

Step 9

Select both text layers. Hold down the Alt key and Drag the text to duplicate both lines below.

duplicate text

Step 10

Again, use the Type Tool (T) to rewrite the text according to the image shown below. Position the text with the Move Tool (V).

rewrite and reposition text

Step 11

Go to File > Place Embedded and place the vector logo acme-travel-logo.ai into the document.

add logo

Step 12

Scale down the vector logo and position it at the upper right corner.

scale and place logo

Step 13

Add the Drop Shadow effect. In the Layer Style panel, set the Opacity to 11%, Distance to 3 px, and Size to 16 px.

add drop shadow to logo

4. How to Add the Bottom Photographs

Step 1

Create a new Rectangle (U). Set its Size to 60 px by 28 px.

add rectangle for bottom text

Step 2

Select the rectangle shape with the Direct Selection Tool (A). In the Align panel, set Horizontal Centers.

set horizontal centers

Step 3

Go to File > Place Embedded and place the people-11.jpg photo from the Resource Pack.

Step 4

Scale down the image and place it directly in the rectangle.

scale image

Step 5

Activate the Rectangle Tool (U), and in the options panel, click Mask. This action will create a vector mask from the rectangle and apply it to the photo.

add vector mask

Step 6

With the photo layer still selected, hold Alt-Shift and drag the photo to duplicate it. 

duplicate picture

Step 7

Go to File > Place Embedded. Select the city-5.jpg photo from Resource Pack and add it to the document.

place city photo

Step 8

Scale down the image and place it above the duplicated photo with the woman.

place second image

Step 9

Grab the mask from the duplicated photo with the woman and place it into the new image, and then delete the people-11-copy layer.

move mask then delete layer

Step 10

Repeat Steps 7 to 9 to add the map screenshot into the document, this time placing the map picture.

add map

Step 11

Select the map-screenshot layer and add a Stroke from the effects button in the Layers panel.

add stroke

Step 12

Set the Stroke Size to 2 px. Adjust the Position to Inside and set the Color to Brown (C=30 M=80 Y=100 K=30).

tweak stroke

5. How to Add the Bottom Text

Step 1

Use the Type Tool (T) to create a new instance of text. Set its size to 11 pt and its Color to Light Brown (C=10 M=65 Y=100 K=0).

add bottom text

Step 2

Add more lines. Set the Size to 9 pt, adjust the Leading to 13 pt, and change the Color to Gray (K=90).

add more lines of text

Step 3

Follow the same process to create a new block of text. Place them beneath the photo with the woman and the map screenshot.

add text block

Step 4

Go to File > Place Embedded... Select icons.ai to import the icons into the document. A new contextual window will appear. Select the Calendar Icon and click OK.

insert calendar icon

Step 5

Scale down the icon and place it next to the first line with the time information.

place calendar icon

Step 6

Repeat the same process to import the rest of the icons and place them accordingly next to each line.

add remaining icons

Step 7

Use the Type Tool (T) to add new text. Place it over the map screenshot. Set the Size to 13 pt, adjust the Leading to 11 pt, and change the Color to Light Brown (C=10 M=65 Y=100 K=0).

add map text

Step 8

Follow the same process to add new lines of text for the address. Set the Size to 9 pt and change the Color to Gray (K=90).

add address

Step 9

Go to File > Place Embedded..., select icons.ai again, and import the Globe Vector Icon into the document.

add globe icon

Step 10

Scale down the icon and place it next to the web address.

place world icon

Step 11

Activate the Pen Tool (P) and create a vector shape that will represent a direction on the map.

Add direction vector

Step 12

In the Options panel, set the Stroke to Dashed and Color to Light Brown (C=10 M=65 Y=100 K=0). Adjust the Stroke Width to 1.5 pt.

make dashed stroke

Step 13

Go to Stroke Options > More Options..., set Caps to Round, and adjust Dashed Line: Dash to 3 and Gap to 3.

adjust stroke

Step 14

Create a new Ellipse (U). Set the Color to Brown (C=30 M=80 Y=100 K=30).

add ellipse to map

Step 15

Activate the Pen Tool (P). Hold the Alt key and click on the bottom anchor point. This will convert the anchor point from smooth to corner.

change anchor points

Step 16

With the Direct Selection Tool (A), move the converted anchor point down.

move anchor point

Step 17

Add the Drop Shadow effect to the pin. Use the settings shown below to make it subtle.

add drop shadow to anchor

Step 18

Again, create a new Ellipse (U) with a Fill Color of White. Place the ellipse into the center of the pin. And that's the final touch to our flyer design.

add new white ellipse

Conclusion

Congratulations! If you've followed the tutorial up to this point, you should have a nice design of a promotional flyer completed.

Conclusion

Remember: every time you design images for digital print, you have to think in CMYK colors in order to achieve the best results. Don't forget to add a bleed to the canvas (at least 3 mm from each edge). If you are unsure about some advanced technical parameters, it is always good to consult directly with the printing company to avoid mistakes.

In the next tutorial in this series, we will take a look at how to impose this flyer into InDesign and prepare a print-quality PDF. In the meantime, if you have any questions about creating a print design in Photoshop, leave a comment below and we'd be glad to help you out.

Save Time With Placeit!

Save time, but still get a design that is completely unique to you by designing your flyer with one of the dozens of professionally made flyer templates on Placeit! They are the perfect jumping-off point for your business flyer or promotion. Here are a few of my personal favorite flyers you can check out on Placeit right now!

Cleaning Services Flyer Creator With a Simple Broom Icon

This flyer offers a clean and minimal design perfect for either an at-home startup or an established business! It includes a modern logo that fits the design perfectly, but can also be swapped out with your own quickly and easily! 

Cleaning Services Flyer Creator with a Simple Broom Icon

Vegan BBQ Flyer Template

Let everyone know about your upcoming food festival with this vintage-inspired flyer template. The vector shapes bring color to the flyer, while still keeping the spotlight on all the crucial information. It could also be easily transformed into a restaurant flyer in just a few clicks!

Vegan BBQ Flyer Template

Gym Flyer Design Template

Bring business to your gym with this high-contrast, ultra-modern flyer template. Placeit has dozens of different images with the same high-contrast neon colors to choose from, making it a great choice if you like to refresh your flyer design on a regular basis.

Gym Flyer Design Template

Flyer Maker to Create a Real Estate Agency Flyer

This real estate flyer design template is the perfect mix of professional and modern design, with clean lines and bold text. Swap in your own images to showcase a new house! 

Flyer Maker to Create a Real Estate Agency Flyer

Flyer Template for a Pet Care Service With a Dog Illustration

Promote your pet care business with this ultra adorable pet care service flyer template! The bold colors and cute dog illustrations will grab the attention of all pet parents. You can choose other animals as well.

Flyer Template for a Pet Care Service with a Dog Illustration

Need even more? Check out some of these other great resources below!


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