HOW-TO watermark your graphic designs!

vip-ip · 07-31-2005, 02:41 PM

I really hope this thread gets the "Sticky" status because of the amount of rip-offs around the web. A lot of comments were made about that people should put watermarks on their logos, banners, etc.

But many don't know how to make one, or what a watermark is, so here's a quick 2-minute tutorial on creating a good watermark that will decrease the chances of your logos getting stolen by unfair scam artists that are so common nowadays.

1) Open up a 500x500 image in Photoshop. - 10 sec.
Use a transparent background. Pick #000000 (black) as the foreground color by pressing "D" to reset the settings of the colors.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/111491-how-to-watermark-your-graphic-designs.html

Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/422447179001.gif

2) Pick an appropriate font and size of your watermark text. - 30 sec.
I use bold Tahoma or Verdana with smooth 18px letters. Type in your watermark, mine will be "VIP-IP.NET", in the middle of the image.

Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/2120804733002.gif

3) Rotate and crop. - 30 sec.
Go to Edit >> Free Transform. Rotate your image around 30* around the middle. Then, when your done, using the rectangular marquee tool select a rectangle around the words, and go to Image >> Crop.

Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/1970099886003.gif

4) Define pattern. - 20 sec.
Define Pattern and type in the name you would like for your pattern. Mine will be VIP-IP.NET

Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/759731364004.gif

You're done! Now, when you're doing a logo or such, to put a watermark in, create a new layer, go to Edit >> Fill and select your pattern. Set the opacity to around 15%, which is enough for a good watermark! Example:

Ta-da, here's the outcome of the watermarked logo: http://www.fullfile.com/165986370006.gif - and that is enough for a scammer to forget about stealing it. You can easily delete the layer with the watermark if a person wants to buy your artwork, but without the PSD file no one else can.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial

armstrong · 08-01-2005, 05:56 PM

Great post, vip. Since you are involved in many of these contests, perhaps you could add a link to this thread in your sig. I won't count it against the 4-line sig limit.

vip-ip · 08-01-2005, 07:08 PM

Yes, I will, and I'd appreciateit if others who are involved in such contests do the same.

True_Snake · 08-01-2005, 08:28 PM

Thanks for the post VIP

!

I can't stress the importance of watermarks enough! Make sure they're not too dark; if they obstruct the client's view of the logo too much, then it could be a non-selling point of your work. Make sure it's visible, but not distructing the view by a large margin. In Fireworks MX 2004, move the transparency bar to about 10.

Another tip, an obvious one, is to change the colour of the watermark to white should the logo be mainly black.

Thanks for the post VIP!

True_Snake

vip-ip · 08-01-2005, 08:33 PM

Yes, True_Snake, I wanted to point that out. 10% could sometimes be not enough if your main focus is just text, which is why 15% is usually a lot more vibrant, while the artqork is not affected a whole lot.

monaco · 08-01-2005, 09:06 PM

Anyone have any info on free solutions (ie, not Digimarc) for digitally watermarking images?

Devery · 08-06-2005, 07:32 AM

My Tutorial, place text on work and change opacity to 20%

SHOCK ME SOCK ME SHOCK ME!

komp · 08-06-2005, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by One Armed Scissor

My Tutorial, place text on work and change opacity to 20%

SHOCK ME SOCK ME SHOCK ME!

I was about to say that

nice tip anyways

PE-Steve · 08-06-2005, 10:27 AM

Nice read, vip-ip

Waupiman · 08-06-2005, 11:49 AM

or you can put a pattern over the image that ruins it

vip-ip · 08-06-2005, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by One Armed Scissor

My Tutorial, place text on work and change opacity to 20%

SHOCK ME SOCK ME SHOCK ME!

Sounds OK as long as it's not some place on a gradient. Example:

If someone has minimal photoshop skills they can patch up the SAMPLE part with a copy paste from the right, since the gradient is even. Instead, if you do this:

The watermark is almost invisible, but the artwork is still the main focus of the image, and it's not usable at the same time.

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=111491

Originally Posted by Waupiman

or you can put a pattern over the image that ruins it

Yes, that is exactly how a watermark works! With the opacity at around 15% and fill at 20% it's almost unnoticable.

sunken · 08-07-2005, 01:15 AM

Very good technique for watermarking the image...

komp · 08-07-2005, 03:38 AM

Put lettering over image then, filter> overlay.
less time consuming.

admans · 08-07-2005, 01:51 PM

Nice info dude..thnx fer the info. Surely a Sticky post.

depthskins.com · 08-07-2005, 07:04 PM

great post dude. I was also looking for some besides digimarc. I bought it, used it. It's nice - it reduces quality and imprints your data into the image.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=111491

I don't like the image reduction so much because some clients would want to know what's up and also ppl can't get to judge your work properly. The data embedding...don't make sence imo because all that happens is that in PS someone would get to see your info...

What i really want it to do is for a pop up box to show in PS showing info and won't go away or allow to edit the image - lil more complex but hell, that would be effective.

Wow...just checked their site (digimarc) seems they included a feature i didn't know about...ImageBridge. hunting for my serial now. damn. lost it.

jamx551 · 08-07-2005, 07:36 PM

It's such a cool and handy way to watermark logos! Thanks VIP-IP

NeoXY · 08-08-2005, 06:28 PM

Thanks for the post ! This will come in handy for the people who dont know about it or how to do it.

will7 · 08-08-2005, 06:38 PM

Nice tutorial, but, what if you use Illustrator

Lol, joke, its basically the same process anyway and I already know how to do them in Illustrator so I'm sorted

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=111491

I'll definitely be using watermarks from now on. I thought that maybe things have changed here at NP and the contest holders can be trusted to not scam other members - obviously I was wrong.

The point is that we shouldn't have to watermark yet we do have to. It is the scammers who are ruining it for all the other designers and NP'ers! But, I suppose scamming won't stop, it's just something we are going to have to live with

GeneCosta · 08-08-2005, 08:01 PM

I usually do this all the time. Just make sure you overlap the logo/template/skin itself and try to do it at a "curve" or something so if they're moderately good at Photoshop they won't be able to copy > paste and blend it..

vip-ip · 08-08-2005, 08:47 PM

Will I get this thread to be "Sticky"? Armsrong, the way you like to move threads around - could you also remind people to watermark the image?

07-31-2005, 02:41 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
vip-ip Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: root@localhost Posts: 4,025	HOW-TO watermark your graphic designs! I really hope this thread gets the "Sticky" status because of the amount of rip-offs around the web. A lot of comments were made about that people should put watermarks on their logos, banners, etc. But many don't know how to make one, or what a watermark is, so here's a quick 2-minute tutorial on creating a good watermark that will decrease the chances of your logos getting stolen by unfair scam artists that are so common nowadays. 1) Open up a 500x500 image in Photoshop. - 10 sec. Use a transparent background. Pick #000000 (black) as the foreground color by pressing "D" to reset the settings of the colors. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/111491-how-to-watermark-your-graphic-designs.html Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/422447179001.gif 2) Pick an appropriate font and size of your watermark text. - 30 sec. I use bold Tahoma or Verdana with smooth 18px letters. Type in your watermark, mine will be "VIP-IP.NET", in the middle of the image. Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/2120804733002.gif 3) Rotate and crop. - 30 sec. Go to Edit >> Free Transform. Rotate your image around 30* around the middle. Then, when your done, using the rectangular marquee tool select a rectangle around the words, and go to Image >> Crop. Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/1970099886003.gif 4) Define pattern. - 20 sec. Define Pattern and type in the name you would like for your pattern. Mine will be VIP-IP.NET Screenshot: http://www.fullfile.com/759731364004.gif You're done! Now, when you're doing a logo or such, to put a watermark in, create a new layer, go to Edit >> Fill and select your pattern. Set the opacity to around 15%, which is enough for a good watermark! Example: Ta-da, here's the outcome of the watermarked logo: http://www.fullfile.com/165986370006.gif - and that is enough for a scammer to forget about stealing it. You can easily delete the layer with the watermark if a person wants to buy your artwork, but without the PSD file no one else can. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial

08-01-2005, 05:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
armstrong Man from Manila Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Net Posts: 6,025	Great post, vip. Since you are involved in many of these contests, perhaps you could add a link to this thread in your sig. I won't count it against the 4-line sig limit. __________________ Apollo's excellent 3-letter .BIZ auction; $1 starting bid!

08-01-2005, 08:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
True_Snake In-House Graphic Designer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,289	Thanks for the post VIP ! I can't stress the importance of watermarks enough! Make sure they're not too dark; if they obstruct the client's view of the logo too much, then it could be a non-selling point of your work. Make sure it's visible, but not distructing the view by a large margin. In Fireworks MX 2004, move the transparency bar to about 10. Another tip, an obvious one, is to change the colour of the watermark to white should the logo be mainly black. Thanks for the post VIP! True_Snake __________________ Logos:PM ME! OVECHKIN.INFO! Rising Star!

08-01-2005, 09:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
monaco NamePros Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 689	Anyone have any info on free solutions (ie, not Digimarc) for digitally watermarking images? __________________ My Website \| My Blog

08-06-2005, 07:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Devery NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 328	My Tutorial, place text on work and change opacity to 20% SHOCK ME SOCK ME SHOCK ME! __________________ BuddyRich.info - Worlds Greatest Drummer! SuperIp.com - Available FREE ovt Domains!

08-01-2005, 07:08 PM	THREAD STARTER #3 (permalink)
vip-ip Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: root@localhost Posts: 4,025	Yes, I will, and I'd appreciateit if others who are involved in such contests do the same.

08-01-2005, 08:33 PM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
vip-ip Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: root@localhost Posts: 4,025	Yes, True_Snake, I wanted to point that out. 10% could sometimes be not enough if your main focus is just text, which is why 15% is usually a lot more vibrant, while the artqork is not affected a whole lot.

08-06-2005, 10:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
PE-Steve NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 622 Follow @BuffaloMG	Nice read, vip-ip __________________ Buffalo Media Group ► Innovative Website Design & Development ► Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Internet Marketing ► Logo Design / Corporate Identity & Graphic / Print Design

08-06-2005, 11:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
Waupiman NamePros Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 77	or you can put a pattern over the image that ruins it

08-07-2005, 01:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
sunken Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,279	Very good technique for watermarking the image... __________________ juegos juegos \| Your Hotel in Austria psicologo valencia

08-07-2005, 03:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
komp NamePros Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 723	Put lettering over image then, filter> overlay. less time consuming.

08-07-2005, 01:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
admans NamePros Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 912	Nice info dude..thnx fer the info. Surely a Sticky post. __________________ Quality Content Ezine PageNXT Link Directory

08-07-2005, 07:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
depthskins.com NamePros Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In Front my PC. Posts: 166	great post dude. I was also looking for some besides digimarc. I bought it, used it. It's nice - it reduces quality and imprints your data into the image. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=111491 I don't like the image reduction so much because some clients would want to know what's up and also ppl can't get to judge your work properly. The data embedding...don't make sence imo because all that happens is that in PS someone would get to see your info... What i really want it to do is for a pop up box to show in PS showing info and won't go away or allow to edit the image - lil more complex but hell, that would be effective. Wow...just checked their site (digimarc) seems they included a feature i didn't know about...ImageBridge. hunting for my serial now. damn. lost it. __________________ Depthskins - Your World. Our Canvas Â® Last edited by depthskins.com; 08-07-2005 at 07:14 PM.

08-07-2005, 07:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
jamx551 NamePros Regular Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Shire Posts: 503	It's such a cool and handy way to watermark logos! Thanks VIP-IP __________________ Best Hosting , Quality Logos Hire Freelancer TheRichAffiliates.com,Horixone.com,Marianas.asia, OutsourceCoder.com,OutSourceWriter.com,ClickASport .com, ClickACoder.com,ClickAScript.com, PhotoshopPlanet.com, Pixelogos.com,FreelanceWorx.com,PlanetCoders.com, ShopALogo.com,Uniquorn.com - SITES FOR SALE - PM for inquiries

08-08-2005, 06:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
NeoXY Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 35	Thanks for the post ! This will come in handy for the people who dont know about it or how to do it.

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08-08-2005, 06:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
will7 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,695	Nice tutorial, but, what if you use Illustrator Lol, joke, its basically the same process anyway and I already know how to do them in Illustrator so I'm sorted ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=111491 I'll definitely be using watermarks from now on. I thought that maybe things have changed here at NP and the contest holders can be trusted to not scam other members - obviously I was wrong. The point is that we shouldn't have to watermark yet we do have to. It is the scammers who are ruining it for all the other designers and NP'ers! But, I suppose scamming won't stop, it's just something we are going to have to live with __________________ Will Narburgh \| Graphic design \| Twitter \| Email me

08-08-2005, 08:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
GeneCosta Account Closed Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 964	I usually do this all the time. Just make sure you overlap the logo/template/skin itself and try to do it at a "curve" or something so if they're moderately good at Photoshop they won't be able to copy > paste and blend it..

08-08-2005, 08:47 PM	THREAD STARTER #20 (permalink)
vip-ip Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: root@localhost Posts: 4,025	Will I get this thread to be "Sticky"? Armsrong, the way you like to move threads around - could you also remind people to watermark the image?