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This tutorial demonstrates how to create a vintage postcard from scratch. To begin, create a blank postcard, as described in my lesson Here, then return to this lesson. Alternatively, utilise my Vintage Postcard pattern, as explained later in this lesson.
Download my Franking brushes Here. Unzip the file, and copy and paste the brushes into Photoshop’s Brushes files, found in the Presets folder - as described in my lesson Here. Additionally, download the postage stamp I have scanned Here and open it onto Photoshop’s workspace - or scan your own.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
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Your blank postcard will be open on Photoshop’s workspace.
Vintage paper pattern
If you prefer, download the Vintage Paper pattern I made in my previous lesson, Here. Unzip the file, and copy and paste the pattern into Photoshop’s Patterns folder, found in its Presets folder. Now, open a New transparent document, and set a Width of 6 Inches and a Height of 4 Inches (this is postcard size). Then from the top menu, choose Layer then choose New Fill Layer then choose Pattern. In the subsequent New Layer dialogue box, accept the default settings and click OK.
In the subsequent Pattern Fill dialogue box, locate and double-left-click to set your newly saved Vintage Paper pattern. Then grab the Scale slider and increase the Scale to around 360%, and click OK.
Your image will now be filled the Vintage Paper pattern. If you wish - darken the edges with the Burn Tool - as explained in Chapter 18 of my create old paper lesson Here, then return to proceed with the next chapter of this lesson - Chapter 2. Note: Before applying the Burn Tool, you need to Rasterise the Fill Layer - to do so, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Rasterise then choose Fill Content.
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Now you have created a blank postcard, activate the Brush Tool.
Then from the Brush Tool’s Options bar, click open the fly out brushes menu, and click Load Brushes. From the subsequent Look in dialogue box, locate, then click your newly saved Postcard Brushes 1 brush set - clicking Append to add them to your present brush library. Now, scroll your left-side brushes library, illustrated below-left, and double-left-click to set either, Stamp1 or Postcard - you will be using both brushes.
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Now your brushes have been loaded, press your keyboard’s D key to set the default Foreground and Background (Black and White) colours.
Then click the following Create a new layer icon.
And apply both the Postcard and Stamp1 brushes to the top of your postcard, reducing their size as needed. My applying brushes lesson can be found Here.
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Now, change the brush layer’s Blend Mode from Normal to Overlay. Note: changing the Blend Mode is optional; additionally, experiment with different Blend Modes to see how they effect the look of your brushes.
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Now, activate The Line Tool. 
And set the following attributes into its Options bar.
Note
I have set a line Weight of 2 px, however, anywhere between 2 and 4 should be fine.
Press your keyboard’s Shift key, then drag a vertical dividing line through the centre of your postcard.
Note
Click the following Shape 1 thumbnail to view the dividing line without its vector mask; additionally, change the dividing line’s Blend Mode to Overlay - to match the franking stamp, if you wish.
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Now you have created your postcard, it is time to write the note and address. Therefore, activate the Horizontal Type Tool. Lesson.
And with a handwriting font, write your message on one side (traditionally on the left), and the recipient’s address, on the right. Your type is automatically applied onto its own layer. If you wish, activate the Free Transform command - (top menu, Edit then Free transform) - Lesson, and reposition, manoeuvre or skew, your type.
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Activate the postage stamp, and with the Move Tool - drag it onto your postcard, and place it between the postcard and the brush layer. Then reduce its size with the Free Transform command - Lesson, remembering to hold the Shift key to resize it in proportion.
Now, ensure the stamp layer is active, and play with different Blending Modes, I changed mine to Hard Light. You may prefer to retain its original Normal Blend
Mode.
When you are completely happy with your postcard, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Merge Visible. To apply a Solid Colour, Pattern or Gradient to your postcard’s background, link Here.
Note
You can personalise your postcard by creating your own Post Office (franking) brushes, or by scanning your own stamps. To personalise your postcard further, if you have the necessary software, you can create - and apply, your own handwriting font. You could even create stamps using a photograph of a friend, family member, or pet.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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