1. Open the template in your photo editing program. The following window may open if you do not have the same fonts installed on your computer as what are used in the template. Click "OK" to open the template.



2. Also open your photo(s) that will be used in the template.

3. On the template, click the layer with the black shape. It will be named "clipping mask".


4. Go to the photo you opened. Select the move tool.


5. Left click on the photo, and drag it onto the template. It should now be directly above the layer with the black shape. With the photo layer selected, click Ctrl+Alt+G (Mac users click Cmd+Opt+G). Now you can resize and adjust the photo layer so it fits nicely.



To resize the photo, click Ctrl+T (Cmd+T). This will activate the free transform tool. Now hold the Shift key down while you use your mouse to resize the photo. You can also turn the photo with the free transform tool. Hit the "enter" key to apply changes.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 for any additional photos to be included.

* IF YOUR TEMPLATE FEATURES PHOTO LAYER MASKS: Templates that feature a modified photo base layer similar to the image below may need the mask modified for some photos, depending on the subject area you want exposed. This mask is usually added to blend photos into the background or for creating a custom shape or design on the photo layer itself. It's easily modified by clicking on the mask (circled below) to activate. Then choose a paintbrush of your choice, adjust the brush opacity if needed, and paint on the image with black or white. Black will hide the image, and white will reveal the image.

If you don't have a font that is used in the template, you can still edit that text with any font installed on your computer. The fonts used in the templates have been listed in the details, and they are either standard fonts or can be found free at 1001fonts.com.

Select the text tool. Next click on the text that you want to edit and begin editing. Double click to select all the letters and begin editing and/or choose a new font.

Hue/Saturation adjustment layers are used to customize color. Some of my templates have these layers included and will be directly above the layer they affect. If you want to change the default colors for any layer, double click the hue/saturation layer:


If your template does not include hue/saturation adjustment layers, and you would like to add one, then select the layer you want to change the color of, then click on the adjustment layer icon at the bottom of the layers palette to open the options list. The icon is a circle that is half light, half dark. Choose hue/saturation, then follow the instructions below to customize.


The following window will open. Check the box for "Colorize" then move the hue, saturation, and lightness sliders until the template layer is the color you want. If you want these same settings for other hue/saturation layers, write down the three numbers for reference.



If you added the hue/saturation layer, and you want the two layers linked together so that other elements are not affected, click on the hue/saturation layer then click Ctrl+Alt+G (Mac users click Cmd+Opt+G).

Text and object layers can have special effects (fx) applied. All are edited the same way. Double click the word "Effects".



The following window will open. All the special effects used on the layer will be checked. Select which effect you want to edit to access the controls.

Drop Shadows and Stroke Colors (Outlines)