Tuesday, July 6, 2021

How to Make a Poster for an Event (Using a Template)

How to Make a Poster for an Event (Using a Template)
Final product imageFinal product imageFinal product image
What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an event poster design in Photoshop using an event poster template from Envato Elements.

What You Will Learn in This Music Event Poster Design Tutorial

  • How to select an event poster template in Envato Elements
  • How to insert your content into a Photoshop design
  • How to create an event poster format
  • How to add fonts, stock photography, and logos to an event poster design
  • How to use a color overlay in Photoshop

What You’ll Need

To recreate the design above, you will need the following resources.

1. How to Get Started

First, find the event poster template you’ve downloaded from Envato Elements in your Downloads folder. Unzip the file by double-clicking it, and open the folder. 

Open the A2-US_Medium folder, and open the A2.psd file in Photoshop.

A2 Template folderA2 Template folderA2 Template folder
A2 template Photoshop fileA2 template Photoshop fileA2 template Photoshop file
  1. The project should be in CMYK Color mode, 8 Bits/Channel. To check this, go to Image > Mode.
  2. For best results, your photo size should be 5031–7087 px wide/high. To check this, go to Image > Image Size.
  3. Delete the REMOVE THIS LAYER layer by clicking on it in the Layers section and pressing Delete.
CMYK image modeCMYK image modeCMYK image mode
Image sizeImage sizeImage size
Removable layerRemovable layerRemovable layer

With the event flyer design now visible, get a feel for the template by going through the layers and flicking the Eye icon on and off to see which layer corresponds to which element on screen. Many of the layers are grouped in folders. Expand the folders and go through the layers that make them up. 

A2 template with layer removedA2 template with layer removedA2 template with layer removed

2. How to Insert Your Copy

Step 1

Expand the Texts folder and insert your copy in the relevant placeholders. Some of your copy may bleed off the canvas at this point, but we’ll fix this shortly.

Inserting copy into texts folderInserting copy into texts folderInserting copy into texts folder

Step 2

To edit the hero text that currently says “CORE”, double-click on the TEXT_EDIT layer. This will take you to a separate Photoshop file. Double-click the T symbol in the layer to edit the text. When finished, go to File > Save and head back to the main Photoshop file.

Insert hero text in TEXT_EDIT Photoshop fileInsert hero text in TEXT_EDIT Photoshop fileInsert hero text in TEXT_EDIT Photoshop file
Hero text layer with "CORE" textHero text layer with "CORE" textHero text layer with "CORE" text
Hero text file with "DJ HALCYON" addedHero text file with "DJ HALCYON" addedHero text file with "DJ HALCYON" added
Main Photoshop file with updated copyMain Photoshop file with updated copyMain Photoshop file with updated copy

3. How to Refine Your Structure

At this point, things should be looking a little messy. Which is perfectly fine, because we’ll start refining the structure now.

Step 1

Double-click on the TEXT_EDIT layer icon. This should take you back to the other Photoshop file you added your hero text into before. Reduce the size of your text by double-clicking on the T icon to the left of the layer, and reducing the Character size in the Properties module.

Open the TEXT_EDIT layerOpen the TEXT_EDIT layerOpen the TEXT_EDIT layer
Resize your hero textResize your hero textResize your hero text
Resize the text using the Character moduleResize the text using the Character moduleResize the text using the Character module

Step 2

Select the Rectangle Tool (U) by clicking it on the left of the screen, or hitting the U key. If the toolbar doesn’t show a rectangle, long-press on whatever shape is being shown and select the Rectangle option from the menu that pops up. Draw a Rectangle to fit the size of the canvas. Hit Command-T to adjust the size if it doesn’t quite fit.

Then hold the Command key and click the Rectangle symbol next to the Rectangle layer to select the shape. Once dotted lines border the Rectangle, select the DJ HALCYON text layer and use the Align tools at the top of the screen to center the text. Hide the Rectangle layer by clicking the Eye icon next to it. Click File > Save and return to the main Photoshop file.

Draw a rectangle the size of the canvasDraw a rectangle the size of the canvasDraw a rectangle the size of the canvas
Use the Rectangle layer to centre your text to the canvasUse the Rectangle layer to centre your text to the canvasUse the Rectangle layer to centre your text to the canvas

Step 3

Resize your other text in the Texts folder by adjusting the size, letter spacing, and line spacing of each text box in the Character module. For the text that’s rotated -90 degrees, select the respective text layers, hit Command-T, and hover over the top-right corner of the layer to see the Rotate symbol appear. Hold Shift and drag it to the right and down to straighten the text. 

Use the "IN THE TRANCE" text to align the supplementary copyUse the "IN THE TRANCE" text to align the supplementary copyUse the "IN THE TRANCE" text to align the supplementary copy
Use the Paragraph tool to align text to the rightUse the Paragraph tool to align text to the rightUse the Paragraph tool to align text to the right

Step 4

Once the text fits on the screen and is sized more to your liking, move all the copy other than the hero text and “BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS” to the right of the canvas. Select the DJ HALCYON text by holding Command and clicking the layer icon to the left of the TEXT_EFFECT layer. Select the TICKETS text box and align it to the base of the DJ HALCYON text. From there, stack the FEATURING and APRIL 20-22 text boxes above, trying to space them out evenly.

Space the stack of text evenlySpace the stack of text evenlySpace the stack of text evenly

Step 5

Double-click each of these text boxes and, in the Paragraph module, Right Align them. Then Command-click the IN THE TRANCE layer and use the Align tools to align the text boxes to the right edge of this text.

Use the Paragraph tool to align the text to the rightUse the Paragraph tool to align the text to the rightUse the Paragraph tool to align the text to the right
Use the Align tools to align the text boxes to the right of the "IN THE TRACE" textUse the Align tools to align the text boxes to the right of the "IN THE TRACE" textUse the Align tools to align the text boxes to the right of the "IN THE TRACE" text
Poster design with text structure refinedPoster design with text structure refinedPoster design with text structure refined

Step 6

Hide the QR code by clicking the Eye icon next to the layer. 

Turn off QR code layerTurn off QR code layerTurn off QR code layer

4. How to Add Original Fonts

Step 1

Open and install the font we’ve provided. Go to your Downloads folder, unzip the file, and install the Devant Horgen font on your computer.

Open the Devant Horgen font in your Downloads folderOpen the Devant Horgen font in your Downloads folderOpen the Devant Horgen font in your Downloads folder
Install font in FontBookInstall font in FontBookInstall font in FontBook

Step 2

Head back to Photoshop. Go to the TEXT_EDIT layer and double-click to open a separate Photoshop file. Select the text and, in the Character module, change the font to Devant Horgen. Resize the text to fill as much of the canvas as possible. 

Open hero text fileOpen hero text fileOpen hero text file
Select your copy and change the font to Devant HorgenSelect your copy and change the font to Devant HorgenSelect your copy and change the font to Devant Horgen
Updated hero text with new font appliedUpdated hero text with new font appliedUpdated hero text with new font applied

Step 3

Return to the main Photoshop file. Go through the Texts folder of layers and add the Devant Horgen font to the “APRIL 20-22 THE FORUM, MELBOURNE” copy, adding the names of the support acts and the web address. 

Go through the Texts folder and add the Devant Horgen fontGo through the Texts folder and add the Devant Horgen fontGo through the Texts folder and add the Devant Horgen font

Step 4

Resize the text to your liking, then hold Command and click on the TEXT_EDIT layer to align the TICKETS text box to the bottom of the hero DJ HALCYON text again. Adjust the text boxes stacked above to be evenly spaced. 

Photoshop design with new font applied to hero and supplementary textPhotoshop design with new font applied to hero and supplementary textPhotoshop design with new font applied to hero and supplementary text

5. How to Add a Logo

Step 1

Unzip and open the folder for the logo you’ve downloaded in your Downloads folder. Find the Illustrator or .ai file and double-click to open it.

Open the Bird Logo from the Downloads folderOpen the Bird Logo from the Downloads folderOpen the Bird Logo from the Downloads folder

Step 2

When the project opens in Illustrator, click on the bird logo and copy it by holding Command-C or by going to Edit > Copy

Copy the logo from the Illustrator fileCopy the logo from the Illustrator fileCopy the logo from the Illustrator file

Step 3

Go to File > New and create a New Document. Make the size 1440 x 1440 pixels

Start a New DocumentStart a New DocumentStart a New Document

Step 4

Press Command-V or go to Edit > Paste to paste the bird logo.

Paste the logo in the new filePaste the logo in the new filePaste the logo in the new file

Step 5

Scale the bird to fill the canvas by grabbing a corner of the logo, holding Shift-Option and dragging your mouse until you’re happy with the size.

Step 6

Save this file as "Bird Logo" by going to File > Save or pressing Command-S. Save it as an Illustrator or .ai file.

Save the file as Bird LogoSave the file as Bird LogoSave the file as Bird Logo

Step 7

Return to the main Photoshop file and drag and drop the Bird Logo file you’ve just created into the Photoshop window. 

Drop the logo into the Photoshop fileDrop the logo into the Photoshop fileDrop the logo into the Photoshop file

Step 8

Scale down the bird to fit next to the BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS text by pressing Command-T and dragging the logo from the sides and hitting Return when you’re happy with the size. Resize the BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS text the same way to make room for the logo.

Scale down the logoScale down the logoScale down the logo

Step 9

Align the logo with the BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS text at the top of the screen by holding Command and clicking the layer, selecting the Bird Logo layer and using the Align tools to center the logo vertically.

Align the logo with the "BIRDY TOURS PRESENT" textAlign the logo with the "BIRDY TOURS PRESENT" textAlign the logo with the "BIRDY TOURS PRESENT" text

Step 10

Group the logo and BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS text by selecting both layers and hitting Command-G. Command-click the PHOTO_EDIT_HERE layer in the Background folder. Horizontally center your Bird Logo and Text group to that layer using the Align tool.

Group the Bird Logo and "BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS" textGroup the Bird Logo and "BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS" textGroup the Bird Logo and "BIRDY TOURS PRESENTS" text

6. How to Add a Stock Image

Step 1

Next, find the stock image you’ve downloaded in your Downloads folder and drag it into the main Photoshop project. 

Find stock image fileFind stock image fileFind stock image file

Step 2

In the Layers module, drag the photo into the Background folder, in front of the PHOTO_EDIT_HERE layer. Command-click the PHOTO_EDIT_HERE layer and center your photo to it using the Align tools. Hit Command-T to scale the image to fit the canvas, hitting Return when you’re happy with the size.

The image should fit nicely between the two streams of text, with the DJ’s head sitting in between.

Drag photo into Photoshop file and resizeDrag photo into Photoshop file and resizeDrag photo into Photoshop file and resize
Place stock image above PHOTO_EDIT_HERE layerPlace stock image above PHOTO_EDIT_HERE layerPlace stock image above PHOTO_EDIT_HERE layer

7. How to Refine the Design

The stock image’s vivid pink color scheme will now be clashing with the hero text and making the other copy hard to ready. So let’s address this by adjusting the colors and effects of our content. 

Step 1

Open the TEXT_EFFECT folder in the Layers module, and double-click on the TEXT layer. Turn the Inner Shadow and Drop Shadow effects off. Turn the Color Overlay effect on, and change the color to white or #ffffff

Open TEXT_EDIT layerOpen TEXT_EDIT layerOpen TEXT_EDIT layer
Adjust the Layer Style effects and change the Color Overlay to whiteAdjust the Layer Style effects and change the Color Overlay to whiteAdjust the Layer Style effects and change the Color Overlay to white

Step 2

Command-click the TEXT layer and select the dmt_blurred layer, also in the TEXT_EFFECT folder. Align the dmt_blurred layer vertically to bring the streaks effect in line with the hero text. Double-click the dmt_blurred layer and change the Color Overlay to white or #ffffff. Turn the Opacity of the effect down to 10%.

Align dmt_blurred layer to TEXT_EDIT layerAlign dmt_blurred layer to TEXT_EDIT layerAlign dmt_blurred layer to TEXT_EDIT layer
Change Color Overlay to white and adjust OpacityChange Color Overlay to white and adjust OpacityChange Color Overlay to white and adjust Opacity

Step 3

Turn the Background layers off by switching off the Eye symbol next to the Background folder. Hide the NATION_Letters-Background folder by pressing the Eye symbol. Open the Elements folder and hide the two circle layers and the Elements subfolder inside. Hide the Texture_Overlay folder.

Turn Background group offTurn Background group offTurn Background group off
Turn NATION lettering and Elements shapes offTurn NATION lettering and Elements shapes offTurn NATION lettering and Elements shapes off

Step 4

Group the stream of text on the right-hand side together by selecting each layer and hitting Command-G. Double-click on the group to bring up the Layer Style window, and turn the Drop Shadow effect on. Adjust the Opacity to be at 100%, the Distance at 0%, the Spread at 6%, and the Size at 9%

Group the stream of text on the rightGroup the stream of text on the rightGroup the stream of text on the right
Add Drop Shadow effect to group of textAdd Drop Shadow effect to group of textAdd Drop Shadow effect to group of text
Group of text with Drop Shadow alignedGroup of text with Drop Shadow alignedGroup of text with Drop Shadow aligned

Step 5

Switch the Background folder back on. Draw a Rectangle the size of the canvas using the Rectangle Tool, hitting the U key, or selecting the Shape Tool from the toolbar. Place that layer behind the stock image and double-click on it to bring up the Layer Style window. Switch on the Gradient Overlay effect and create a linear gradient using a vivid orange (#ef3e23) and pink (#ed2071). 

Add Rectangle the size of the canvas to the Background folderAdd Rectangle the size of the canvas to the Background folderAdd Rectangle the size of the canvas to the Background folder
Add a Gradient Overlay to the Rectangle layerAdd a Gradient Overlay to the Rectangle layerAdd a Gradient Overlay to the Rectangle layer

Step 6

Reduce the Opacity of the stock image to 70% in the Layers module. 

Reduce Opacity of the stock imace to 70%Reduce Opacity of the stock imace to 70%Reduce Opacity of the stock imace to 70%
Photoshop project with stock image Opacity reducedPhotoshop project with stock image Opacity reducedPhotoshop project with stock image Opacity reduced

8. How to Edit a Color Overlay

Finally, bring the whole composition together by adjusting the Color Overlay layer. 

Go to the Layers module and select the OVERLAY_COLOR_EDIT layer. Once selected, the Hue, Saturation and Lightness faders should pop up in the Properties module. Adjust the Hue fader side to side and see the way it inverts the colors of this event poster template. Simply adjust back and forth until you find a color combination you like. 

Adjust the color overlay layer in the Hue/Saturation panelAdjust the color overlay layer in the Hue/Saturation panelAdjust the color overlay layer in the Hue/Saturation panel

9. How to Export the Project

Once you’re happy with the result, it’s time to get the project ready to be exported. 

Step 1

Make sure you save the file to ensure all your work won’t be lost. Do this by going to File > Save, naming the file, and placing it in a location you’ll remember. 

Save your posterSave your posterSave your poster

Step 2

Head to File > Export and choose the best option for you. If you want to share this event poster design digitally, you can do Quick Export as PNG. Or you can export it as another file type for the web or click Export to change the file type to suit print. 

Quick export to PNGQuick export to PNGQuick export to PNG

You Made It!

Congratulations, you’re all done! Now you can share your event with the world. Here’s our final result:

Event Poster final resultEvent Poster final resultEvent Poster final result

5 Best Event Poster Design Templates

Want to create more high-quality event poster designs in Photoshop? Check out some of these templates from Envato Elements. 

Music Event Flyer by graphicook (AI, PSD)

Music Event Flyer by graphicookMusic Event Flyer by graphicookMusic Event Flyer by graphicook

Easily create bright, playful music event posters with this template by Envato Elements author graphicook. The template is fully customizable and works with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. It features a placeholder for a feature image, room for your event name, headline entertainment, support acts, and venue details. It’s colorful, bold, and easy to use. 

Event Flyer by creativeartx (PSD, JPG)

Event Flyer by creativeartxEvent Flyer by creativeartxEvent Flyer by creativeartx

Doing a theatre or cabaret performance? This flyer template by creativeartx will promote it perfectly. It features your event name at the center of a lit-up placeholder, with bold fonts and a slick red, orange, and yellow color scheme. You’ll get passers-by booking tickets in no time.

Creative Event Poster by MotionMediaGroup (PSD)

Creative Event Poster by MotionMediaGroupCreative Event Poster by MotionMediaGroupCreative Event Poster by MotionMediaGroup

Hosting an event focused on innovation? This creative poster by MotionMediaGroup features an extremely modern aesthetic with an orange and blue background image, and minimal white and blue text placeholders. The layout is sparse, with placeholders for event dates, hashtags, and social media handles. It’s a great choice for a technology conference or startup meetup. 

Minimal Event Flyer by kylyman (PSD)

Minimal Event Flyer by kylymanMinimal Event Flyer by kylymanMinimal Event Flyer by kylyman

This event Photoshop template is a great mix of minimalistic text placeholders and beautiful photography. The gray of the background, overlapping of the text and image, and spread-out copy create a rustic feel. It’s easy to edit, and by adding your own image, easy to make your own.

Thanksgiving Event Flyer by Guuver (AI, PSD)

Thanksgiving Event Flyer by GuuverThanksgiving Event Flyer by GuuverThanksgiving Event Flyer by Guuver

Create a warm and inviting flyer for Thanksgiving with this template by Guuver. With a red, orange, and cream color scheme, a mix of font styles, and a hand-drawn illustration style, it’s a gorgeous way to mark one of the most iconic days of the year.


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