Overlay Installation Guide

With this quick guide you'll be able to learn the basics of installing and using Photoshop Overlays

Simplified Steps

1. Firstly you need to open photoshop desktop. Once open you need to import a background photo that the overlay can be placed upon, this can be anything you like.

2. Now you have imported your background image it’s time to import your overlays. To do this click ‘file’ on the top menu bar then down to ‘place embedded’ and choose an overlay you’d like to import.

3. You should now see your overlay has been imported but it may not be transparent if your overlays are JPG. This is nothing to worry about and there’s just one simple step you need to do. Click on the overlay layer and change the layer type from ‘normal’ to ‘screen’ or ‘overlay’, this will make the overlay transparent and ready to use.

Beginner Editing Tips

Now your overlays have been imported (installed) into photoshop and you are familiar with this process it's time for some basic editing and tidying up of your first edit!

- As shown in the short video above you'll need to adapt the overlay to suit your chosen photo, the most simple way of doing this is by using the eraser tool. The eraser tool is just that a digital eraser, use this to tidy up any noticeable outlines around your overlay or to remove any parts of the overlay you don't want in your final edit i.e it covers a person or element to your photo you wish to be visible.

- If you wish for your overlays to have an bigger impact on your original photo for example you are applying rain overlays and want depth added then a simple way to do this is by duplicating the overlay layer.

- If you are using JPG overlays you can play around with the 'blend modes' when clicking on the overlay layer to see what works best with your background photo.

- Lightning is one of the most important techniques to make your edits look as realistic as possible. There are many ways to add lightning however the one we'd recommend is 'Choose an adjustment, Set Level, Invert (ctrl+i), click paintbrush to apply, use X To add or remove' you can see this technique being used in the demo video above.

- Changing the colour of an overlay is simple to do and again there are a few different ways you can do this. As shown in the video click on 'Adjustments' then on 'Hue/Saturation', now left click on the adjustments layer and create a clipping mask this means it'll only change the overlay not your background photo. Once you've done this you can pick a colour you like!

Photoshop Mix App

The Photoshop mix app is still used by many however it is due an overhaul in the coming months, nevertheless it's a great way to edit overlays on the go or if you don't have Photoshop desktop or a computer to work with.

Here are the simplified steps below to get you started:

1. Firstly you will need to save and unzip your overlays on your mobile. Once you've done this open the 'Photoshop Mix App' and then open a background photo, this can be anything you like.

2. Now your background image has been opened you are now ready to import your chosen overlay, click the little '+' icon and select 'add image' this will then open up your files where you need to find the overlay you wish to import.

3. Now your overlay has been imported depending on if you are working with JPG or PNG overlays you may need to adjust the layer blend option to make your overlays transparent. To do this hold down on the overlay image and change the 'blend mode' from 'normal' to 'screen' or 'overlay'. Your overlay will be now transparent and ready to work with to create some awesome edits!