Adding a Watermark to Photos Using Photoshop CS4

Article by Mike Piero (3,329 pts )
Edited & published by Rhonda Callow (10,566 pts ) on Oct 27, 2008

This article continues from the last to explain and demonstrate how to create and insert a watermark into an image using Adobe Photoshop CS4.

INSERTING YOUR WATERMARK

Make sure that you save your watermark as a .psd file. After you have it saved, there are a few different ways to put your watermark onto one of your images. The easiest way, in my opinion, is to open both the watermark and the image. In Photoshop CS4, multiple images are organized in a new tabbed system, which makes switching between projects extremely easy.

Once both your watermark and image are open, I use the move tool to “pick up” the watermark, and I drag it to the tab of the photo I want to insert the watermark on. After about 2 seconds, the tab will open and you can continue to drag the watermark directly into the image. When you let go, a new layer will be automatically created and you will see the watermark on the photo.

Drag to the Tab

(untitled)

FINISHING YOUR WATERMARK

The last adjustment you need to do is to resize the watermark. To do this, make sure that the watermark layer is selected, and then choose Edit and then Free Transform. Then, you will see a box appear around your text and you can resize the watermark to any size that you desire. Rotate it if you want, or leave it horizontal.

When you get it the way you want it, just hit Enter and that will apply the transformation. Be sure to save your new image. I usually do a Save As... in order to save the changes as a different file. In that way, my photos with and without watermarks will stay separate.

Final Product

(untitled)

After your first few watermarks, this process will begin to fly! Watermarks are a great way to let people know that the photos they are enjoying are yours. This is very important if you are publishing your photos in print or online. If it's not watermarked, there's the danger that someone may steal it. Following these simple steps can safeguard your photos and your art.

Comments

Jan 18, 2010 11:08 PM
Suzanne Furtado
Found this very useful n easy to follow :)
Thanks for this article, I found it a piece of cake to follow n create my own watermark for my business images.
Jan 16, 2010 12:58 AM
julie beatson
Watermarking
Thanks fot this very easy to follow.
Cheers
Julie
Dec 3, 2009 11:58 AM
Marianne
Nevermind...
I figured out how to use the tab system. GREAT tutorial! I'm so excited to know how to make a watermark. Finally!
Dec 3, 2009 11:27 AM
Marianne
Help!
I was good until the part about having both images open with the "new tabbed system." Can you provide instructions on how to do that?
Nov 25, 2009 7:19 AM
asdf
RE: Adding a Watermark to Photos Using Photoshop CS4
thanks man!

any ideas why my watermark loses all the Fx effects when i drag it to my image? :(
Nov 17, 2009 2:51 PM
Laura
thanks
had no problem following your instructions and wateramark looks good thanks :)
Sep 26, 2009 5:56 PM
tc
watermarks made easy
this was def the easiest way I found to add a copyright to images. thnx! now my copyrights are flowing like water..marks.
Jul 11, 2009 9:17 AM
Leo The Saint
Watermarking
Mike
I can't imagine how easy is on your How to instruction
Thanks and hope you'll continue a good work
Be Blessed
Jun 22, 2009 11:18 PM
Steve Palmer
watermarking
I really appreciate your easy to follow instructions Mike. Even though I stumbled a few times, I kept flipping back to your page to guide me through.

Thanks

Steve
 
Subscribe to Digital Photography
RSS
Get free weekly updates, directly to your inbox.
Subscribe
Browse Digital Photography