How To Watermark Photos
By Ty Randall
This may be slightly different depending on what software you use,
but hopefully the basics of it will be close. I currently
watermark photos with an old version of Photoshop as described below.
The first step comes after I'm finished editing a photo however
I want. If I'm going to add a watermark, the first thing I do
is make a copy of the image and save it either in a different
folder than the original or with a different name. I do that so
I don't wait until finished watermarking and accidentally screw
up my original file by just hitting "save" instead of "save as."
In my Photoshop version I usually add a new layer and select a mode of "Hard Light." Another option is to just select the Type tool and add my text, which automatically adds a layer and then I would change the mode on the layers toolbar. Either way does the same thing.
I select the Type tool for my new layer and use the Arial Black
font because it is nice and wide and shows up well, but font
choice is up to you.
I usually try to get it close to the entire width of the image,
but don't sweat with exactness because it will be adjusted (below).
Color is also up to you and sometimes depends on the overall
tone of the photo. Try anywhere from pure white to pure black and
some of the grays in between. I would probably start with pure
white (256-256-256) or something close like 230-230-230 or 217-217-217.
The color chosen may determine how you adjust it (still below).
Add whatever text you want. Some people use the copyright info,
some use their name, some use their website address, or just the
word "Sample." If you want to use the copyright symbol, try typing
"Alt+0169." If that doesn't work, you can go to MS Word, insert
the copyright symbol to a document then copy it and paste it into
the Photoshop text. I usually use my website URL address as sort
of an advertisement, hoping that if you like that image you may
want to go to my site to see more, especially when I email an
image or post on a site other than my own.
Once I've added my text, I transform as needed (Edit>Transform>Rotate,
then Edit>Transform>Scale, and then place it where I want). When
I have it how I want, I apply that edit. If I'm doing individual
image watermarks like this, I usually like to make them pretty large
and rotated at a 45 degree angle so it might discourage someone who
might want to steal a piece of the image without the watermark. Of
course you can save time and skip this step.
Then I emboss the text (Filter>Stylize>Emboss). That's where you
play around with it and where the font and color choices come in
most, depending on how much you want the watermark to show up on
that image. Choose whichever angle, pixel height, and percent amount
makes the text look the way you want. My preferred settings are
usually an angle of around 180, a pixel height of around 6 to 9,
and a percent amount between about 100 to 180%.
Once I pick my appropriate style and placement, I adjust the
luminosity of the text. Again, that's a personal decision.
I personally try to ligten my watermark enough so it doesn't
totally screw up the view of the photograph behind it while
at the same time being just dark enough to be able to read
what it says. My purpose is usually twofold; to (hopefully)
discourage trying to steal it and to advertise either my
website, logo, or brand name.
Once I've made all my decisions, I flatten the image and save
it (remember, either in a different folder or as a different file
name so it won't get mixed up with the original). Of course when
saving for use on the internet, I save at a smaller size and lower
quality (like around 3 or 4 at 72 dpi). I'm sure in later versions
of Photoshop they have come up with a way to record your actions
so you can save time by recording all the steps and just inserting,
but as I said, I use an old version.
In Summary:
- Save a separate version from your original.
- Select white or almost white foreground color.
- Add layer in "Hard Light" mode.
- Select Type tool, choose Arial Black font large enough to fit image.
- Optional: Select Edit>Transform>Rotate and Edit>Transform>Scale.
- Optional: Move text layer to desired position if needed.
- Select Filter>Stylize>Emboss; choose angle (160?), height (8?), amount (140?).
- Optional: Adjust luminosity.
- Flatten image (ie; merge down layers).
- Optional: Resize if needed.
- Save as lower quality if uploading to internet.
- Repeat as needed.
Batch watermarking:
There is software available to watermark a whole bunch (or batch)
of images all at once.
That may be fine if you want to do many images at once and/or all
your images are basically the same. My problem with doing a batch
is that they all get the same thing, which might work on most,
but doesn't necessarily work good on all of them. I suppose you
could then do another batch for the ones that did not work well. My
rule of thumb is usually to do it myself in Photoshop if I only have
a couple images to watermark and use a batch if I'm doing lots or want to hurry.
I have a batch watermark software program that I use and recommend
to friends, but they don't pay me to advertise for them so I'll only
list them with all the others below. Batch programs usually let
you resize, rename, edit, and add either a text or image watermark
to any number of images with the touch of a button. Mine also
instantly builds a thumbnail web page and has a built-in FTP for
quick uploads. It has saved me a lot of time when working quickly
with a lot of images and I think it was worth what I paid for it.
There are probably many batch watermark software programs available.
You can usually download a free trial version of most to try out
before purchasing (but the trial versions are sometimes limited).
I'm not sure how good they are, but below are a few choices (in
no particular order) if you want to check any out. Prices are for
personal use, business use is usually more expensive. This is for
info only, I do not get paid by or endorse any of them. Prices and
links subject to change.
Good luck.
Contact me with any questions.
Ty Randall
www.TyRandall.com
