Web Development: How to Make a Polaroid Template in Photoshop

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

How to Make a Polaroid Template in Photoshop

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

Are you wondering how to make a Polaroid template in Photoshop? Today, I am going to show you a simple way to create one! We will use shapes, textures, and layer style effects to create a nice Polaroid mockup.

What You'll Learn in This Photoshop Tutorial

How to prepare the document
How to create a Polaroid Photoshop frame template
How to put your photo into a Polaroid Photoshop frame template
How to create a Polaroid Photoshop collage template

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

Tutorial Assets

You'll need the following resources in order to complete this Polaroid mockup tutorial:

1. How to Prepare the Document

Step 1

Let's get started by setting up a New Document by pressing Control-N. Set the document size to 1500 by 1000 px.

Polaroid Image Template Tutorial Creating a new document

Step 2

After that, go to File > Place and put the wood texture above the background layer.

Polaroid Image Template Tutorial placing the overlay texture

2. How to Create a Photoshop Polaroid Frame Template

Step 1

Now let's create the first element of our stripe. Hit U to create a Rectangle Shape. Make sure the Stroke setting is off, and create a shape with the following size:

Width: 650 px
Height: 800 px

Polaroid Image Template Tutorial Creating the first shape

Step 2

Create another rectangle shape, but use the following settings:

Width: 580 px
Height: 580 px

Polaroid Picture Template Tutorial Creating the second shape

Step 3

Select both shapes and the Background layer, and Align them to the Center of the document.

Polaroid Picture Template Tutorial aligning the elements

Step 4

And finally, move the second shape up 65 px while holding Shift.

Polaroid Picture Template Tutorial moving the second shape

Step 5

Now we need to place the paper texture above the first shape, and after that Right Click > Create a Clipping Mask.

Polaroid Picture Template Tutorial creating a clipping mask

Step 6

This paper's texture looks pretty dark, so let's make it brighter. Select the texture and then go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and use the following settings: Brightness: 145; Contrast: 0.

Polaroid Picture Template Tutorial changing the brightness of the texture

Step 7

And for the last step here, let's add a shadow to our template. Select the first shape and Double-Click on it, and then select Drop Shadow and use the following settings:

Color: Black
Blend Mode: Multiply
Opacity: 45%
Distance: 11
Spread: 10
Size: 8

Polaroid Picture Template Tutorial adding a shadow layer style

You can see the first rectangle Polaroid template is ready for a picture!

3. How to Put Your Photo Into a Photoshop Polaroid Frame Template

Now we can easily put our photo into the template. Simply place the photo above the second shape and Right Click > Create a Clipping Mask.

Rectangle Polaroid Template Tutorial creating a clipping mask for a photo

This is how our image should look:

Rectangle Polaroid Template Tutorial How the image should look like

4. How to Create a Photoshop Polaroid Collage Template

Step 1

If you want to create multiple Polaroid frames, all you need to do is group all the elements. Select them in the Layers panel and hit Create a New Group.

Rectangle Polaroid Template Tutorial creating a group of layers

Step 2

After that, create two duplicates of this group by pressing Control-J.

Rectangle Polaroid Template Tutorial creating duplicates of the group

Step 3

Remove the photos from the last two groups, and replace them with any other photos.

Rectangle Polaroid Template Tutorial placing the photos

Step 4

Once you've placed the photos, you can transform the template groups by pressing Control-T. Feel free to move and rotate them to fit your needs!

Rectangle Polaroid Layout Template Tutorial moving and transforming the templates

Awesome Work, You're Now Done!

Here is our final result! Now you know how to make a Polaroid template in Photoshop using simple shapes and textures. Feel free to share your results in the comments below!

Rectangle Polaroid Layout Template Tutorial Final Result

Looking for more high-quality Photoshop templates? Check out this amazing Polaroid frame Photoshop template collection available on Envato Elements:

1. Polaroid Photo Mockup

Polaroid Photoshop Image Template Mockup

This Polaroid template Photoshop mockup could be a great tool for combining your photos into one awesome collage. It's easy to use, and the final result is fully customizable.

2. Polaroid Snapshot Picture Mock-up Templates

This Photoshop Polaroid collage template pack offers you premade PSD files, which you can easily modify to fit your purposes. These Photoshop templates come in 5000x7000 px size with 300 dpi resolution.

3. Polaroid Vintage Photo Mockups Pack

Polaroid Image Template Vintage Photo Mockups Pack

Are you looking for a vintage Polaroid template Photoshop pack? This Photoshop Polaroid frame template package is a great choice for you! You get six easy-to-use photo templates with realistic lighting, grunge backgrounds, and overlay textures.

4. Polaroid & Moodboard Generator Kit

Polaroid Photoshop Moodboard Generator Kit

There are plenty of Polaroid frame Photoshop template packs to choose from at Envato Elements. If you need the ultimate tool, with 24 premade templates in different styles and a big variety of backgrounds and overlays, this Photoshop template package is the best option for you. Check it out now!

5. Film Polaroid - Insta Story & Post Social Media

Do you need a Polaroid template Photoshop collection for your social media accounts? Check out this amazing product, with more than 20 Photoshop templates for Instagram stories and posts. Save your time and add this powerful tool to your collection of vintage Polaroid template Photoshop add-ons.

Stylish Polaroid Picture Templates for Mood Boards From Placeit

Envato Elements isn't the only place to find mood board Polaroid image templates. Placeit has many Polaroid layout mockups that you can customize and edit online. Here are just a few of the great template options available to you:

1. Mood Board Polaroid Picture Template Mockup

Share your inspirations with this cool template Polaroid PNG. This mood board mockup features five image placeholders. Feel free to change the background color to fit the look you're going for. You can even add text to this Polaroid layout.

2. Polaroid PNG Template Mood Board With Copper Ornaments

The copper used in this template Polaroid PNG mockup sets a beautiful scene for four of your images. You can upload quickly and get started customizing. The organized Polaroid layout looks contemporary and can be used for many types of projects.

3. Polaroid Image Template With Six Photos

Here's a simple rectangle Polaroid template. It comes with six photo placeholders and can be completely customized online. Experiment with different looks to get the most out of this Polaroid PNG template mockup.

4. Polaroid Layout Surrounded by Flowers

Polaroid PNG Image Template Layout With Flowers

This minimal Polaroid layout is for anyone that loves a natural aesthetic. It blends leaves, strokes of color, and a single image for a simple, pleasing design. This Polaroid template PNG is easy to use. Just adjust the colors of the background and brush strokes to fit your mood and upload your photo.

5. Mood Board Polaroid Mockup

Polaroid PNG Layout Template for Mood Board

We round out our list with this cool mood board Polaroid template PNG. Its minimal-textured background can suit any project, and it's customizable. Upload your four images to this Polaroid picture template mockup and get creative!