In this article, we’re going to show you how to create a custom frame for use on your Art Storefronts website. This tutorial will not cover how to create floater frames, or frames that include mats. For more information on creating those types of frames, please see our article How To: Create A Frame That Includes A Mat.
Please also remember that this article and feature can only be used by those who are Print Studios, Galleries or Self-Fulfilling Artists. Those who are Artists using Automated Fulfillment will not be able to create or upload custom frames to their Art Storefronts websites.
First, you will need to measure the border of your Frame. This measurement should be in whatever unit you are using on your website. For our purposes we're going to be using inches.
You will then need a direct, frontal photograph of your frame.
Next, you need to calculate the pixel width of one side of your frame.
The formula to find the pixel width of your frame is as follows: PIXEL WIDTH = (FRAME WIDTH IN INCHES * 72PPI) / 4
As an example, we'll say our frame is 2 inches.
Please note: If your size is not a whole number (e.g. contains a fraction or decimal place, such as 13.5) you should round the number up to the next whole number (from 13.5 up to 14). If you don't do this you may experience visual artifacts when using your frame image.
Open Photoshop and click on File.
Then, click on the option labeled Open.
Find your frame image and click on it.
Click open.
Right Click on your Layer and select Convert To Smart Object.
Now, enable a Rule of Thirds grid in PhotoShop. For more information on this, check out How To Create A Rule-Of-Thirds Grid.
Please Note: If your grid does not appear, press CTRL ' on your keyboard and the grid should then appear.
Now that our frame image is open, we need to adjust the size of the frame file. Click on Image.
Click on Canvas Size.
We need to enter in the pixel width and height for the frame in the Width and Height box. We have the width of one side of the frame, so we need to find the full width and height of the frame.
The formula to find the file size you need is as follows: FRAME FILE WIDTH AND HEIGHT = PIXEL WIDTH OF ONE SIDE (calculated in the previous step) * 3.
As an example, because the frame we are going to use if 36px, we can plug that in to the equation: 36px * 3 = 108px. This means our file size need to be 108px by 108px.
Please Note: The width and height of the frame must ABSOLUTELY BE THE SAME. If they differ at all and the frame is not a perfect square, this entire process will fail to work and your frame will be incorrect.
Once you've entered the Width and Height, click OK.
Right click on your Layer again and select the option labeled Rasterize Layer.
Select your Layer.
Click on the Move Tool.
Move the frame so that you see the bottom right hand corner. Make sure you are aligning the interior edges with the grid lines in red.
Click on the Marquee Tool.
Delete (you can press CTRL X)the Upper Right, Lower Left and non-frame area from your image.
Select your Layer.
Hold down CTRL and press J. This will copy your layer.
Select the new Layer.
Hold down CTRL and T in order to transform the layer.
Now, right click and select Rotate 90 Degrees Clockwise.
Select the Move Tool again.
Move your newest layer to the lower left hand corner.
Repeat steps 20-26 and fill in the remaining corners using Rotate 180 Degrees for the Upper Left Corner and Rotate 90 Degrees Counter Clockwise for the Upper Right Corner.
Next we're going to get rid of the texture of the frame. If you'd like to keep the texture, you may skip the next steps. Select all of your Layers by clicking on the top most layer, holding down shift and then clicking on your bottom most layer.
Right click and select Merge Layers.
Click the Marquee Tool.
Select a 1px by 1px sliver.
Press down CTRL and T to transform your selection and begin stretching the selection to smooth the frame.
Repeat this process for any area you want to smooth out.
Once you are satisfied with your changes, click on File.
Select Save As and save your frame as a JPG or PNG. It will then be ready for upload to your website. For more information on uploading your frames, please review How To: Upload Custom Frames To Your Art Storefronts Website.
