Fading Paper

with 16 Comments

 

Do you wish you had a background with some pizzazz? Use the fading paper technique to create a background that pops.

For this tutorial you will need:

  • a solid background paper
  • a patterned background paper

The two papers you use must be complimentary to each other in color and tone for results of this tutorial to look good. Here are a few examples of paper combinations that would work well:

 

 

Step One: Prepare the Workspace

  • Create a new 12×12 inch document (File > New > Blank File) at 300 ppi with a white background. (PS: Choose File > New.)
  • Press the letter D to reset the Color Chips to the default of black over white.

 

Step Two: Add Solid Paper

  • Open a solid background paper (File > Open).
  • Get the Move tool.
  • Hold down the Shift key and click and drag the solid paper onto the new document.

NOTE: Holding down the Shift key while adding something to a document ensures that the item will land in the center of the document.

 

 

Step Three: Add Patterned Paper

  • Open a patterned background paper.
  • Hold down the Shift key and click and drag the patterned paper onto the document.

 

 

Step Four: Add Layer Mask

  • In the Layers panel, make sure the patterned paper layer is the active layer.
  • In the Layers panel, click on the Add Layer Mask icon.
  • Black should be the Foreground Color Chip. If it isn’t, press the letter X.
  • Get the Gradient tool.
  • In the Tool Options, open the Gradient picker and choose Foreground to Transparent.

Note: If you do not see Foreground to Transparent, open the menu and choose Default. Then, open the flyout menu and choose Large List. (PS: Open the menu and choose Reset Gradients. Click OK. Then, open the flyout menu and choose Large List.)

  • In the Tool Options, set the Mode to Normal and the Opacity to 100%. Check Dither and Transparency but uncheck Reverse. Click on the Linear Gradient icon.
  • In the Layers panel, make sure the Layer Mask is activated. If you are not sure, click on it.
  • On the document, hold down the Shift key and click and drag from the top right corner to about the center of the document. (See the screenshot below.)
  • On the document, hold down the Shift key and click and drag from the bottom left corner to about the center of the document.
  • Repeat the last two steps if you want the solid paper to shine through stronger.

 

 

 

 

Here is how I finished my page after using the Faded Paper technique:

 

Credits:
Page: Jenifer Juris
Photo: Jodi Finley (Sister)
Kit: Soul Searching by Kristin Cronin-Barrow
Fonts: Gabriella Two Bold, Bebas Neue

 

After posting your results online,
return here and include the link in the comments.

 

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16 Responses

  1. Barbara
    | Reply

    Love this and how easy it is to do. Thanks Jenifer.

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      You’re welcome! I’m so glad you liked it. 🙂

  2. Nanci25
    | Reply

    I love that you remind us of techniques we forgot over the years! This is a great start for my little Hazel’s Easter LO!

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you’ll be using it to make a page. 🙂

  3. Tina
    | Reply

    Great tutorial. Something that I thought to be so difficult turns out, it’s easy. Thanks for the tutorial

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      You’re welcome! 🙂

  4. Janet Hays
    | Reply

    What a neat trick to know … makes an average page look super! Thanks, Jenifer.

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      You’re so welcome! 🙂

  5. Janice Ruttimann
    | Reply

    I haven’t use Elements in a long time but this tutorial has spark up enthusiasm again. Thank you for taking time to create this tutorial.

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      I’m so glad this will get you to jump back in! Have fun with it. 🙂

  6. Jessie
    | Reply

    This is a great way to use papers from kits that have patterned and solid papers. Thanks, Jenifer! 🙂

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      You’re welcome! 🙂

  7. Gladys
    | Reply

    Thank you. Looking forward to trying this. Gladys

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      You’re welcome! 🙂

  8. Lori
    | Reply

    Fantastic tutorial! Love the results. Thank you for providing the recipe!

    • Jenifer Juris
      | Reply

      You’re so welcome! I’m so glad you like it. 🙂

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