1. Please download this ZIP file containing your Photoshop template BEFORE starting with the tutorial.
   • Mousepad_300dpi.zip
2. After extracting/saving the file in your computer, double-click the file (Mousepad_300dpi.psd) so it will open in your installed Adobe Photoshop program. Don't worry about what version type to use, this will open to any one of them may it be version 7.0 to CS3. I'm using version 7.0 for this mousepad tutorial.
3. Once opened check-out the layers panel usually at the lower right portion of the program/screen. You'll find 4 layers done for you namely: Cut-marks, Texts, Pictures and Blue Background.
4. Both Cut-marks and Blue background layers need not be touched/clicked. You'll just be needing to play around the Pictures and Texts set layers.
5. Note that the "Pictures" set layer is already selected for you. This is where you'll be placing the image you would like to appear on your mousepad.
6. Now get a picture that is already saved in your computer. It could be anything from your favorite photographs, wallpapers, cliparts, whatever you like. For this tutorial I pick one of my dreambikes, a Ducati Monster 696 to be on my new mousepad.
7. Go to the toolbar menu at the upper left portion of the program/screen, click on File, then Open, then look for your saved picture file and click Open.
8. Your picture will now appear in the canvas area. If it appears to have taken all the space don't panic, click on the Navigator panel. If it's not yet open along with your other tool panels go to the toolbar menu, click on Window then Navigator.
9. You'll see a thumbnail version of your image and the percentage it is showing in your screen (lower left box of Navigator panel). Beside it is a scrollbar for zooming in or out your picture depending on the size you like.
10. I would prefer to make it small for now because I'd like to see the first file we opened in the canvas area. So for this image I'll zoom it to 50% then move my cursor to the lower right-hand side of the file. Then I'll just resize it till I see the other file which is the Mousepad_300dpi.psd.
11. Next would be to transfer the motorcycle image to the picture layer of the first file. In the left side of the program you'll see the Tools panel. Click on the Move tool. It's the tool on the first row, second column that looks like a directional cross with a cursor.
12. Now click on the motorcycle image and drag to the blue portion of the first file. Whew, are you still with me? Just a few more steps guys and gals! See that in the Pictures set layer that a Layer 1 has appeared and that the motorcycle is on that layer. If you like you can rename it by double-clicking on Layer 1 then typing "motorcycle" if you like.
13. Then go to Edit in the top menu bar, click on Free Transform or Ctrl+T for keyboard shortcut. You'll see that your image have little boxes on all corners including the middle areas. This is where you put your cursor for resizing or scaling your image.
14. Just below the menu bar a panel for Free Transform will appear. There is a small square with boxes also representing your image. Click on the top left corner box then in the X: and Y: fields type in "0 px" on both of them. You'll see your image travel from it's resting position to the upper left portion of the file.
15. Then at the lower right little box at your image click and drag while pressing shift key to scale it proportionaly. If you are happy with the size, click on the check symbol on the Free Transform panel.
16. Now let's just sharpen the picture a bit. The problem with scaling pictures that is smaller than what you intend to use it is that some quality are sacrificed. Edges of the pictures get blurred or in digital sense gets pixelated. Photoshop has a default filter to help you a bit.
17. Go to Filter on the top menu bar, then Sharpen, then click on Sharpen. (Note: you'll find the word Sharpen twice on the sub-level menu. Just click on them.)
18. Now let's put some text on your image. This is to personalize it a bit for you.
19. In the Layers panel select the "Texts" set layer. Then go to the tools panel at the left, look for the Type tool. It has a "T" as an icon. You'll see a small triangle at the lower right corner of the icon. Click on it and pick Vertical Type tool so our texts would appear written from top to bottom.
20. Click on the right side of our image, then type "DUCATI MONSTER 696". WoW, you have a personalized mousepad! You can even change the type color by looking at the type panel on top. Click on the box just beside the type alignment buttons. Then pick the color you like then click OK.
21. Final step is to save your file. Click on File then Save As, then assign a file name, in Format pick JPEG, then hit SAVE. A JPEG Options menu will appear, For Quality choose 10 - Maximum, then OK.
22. That's it guys and gals! Just put your saved file in a thumbdrive, bring it to your favorite printing shop then have them print you your very own mousepad design! Till next time!

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