Articles : Tutorials - Digital

Digital Stroking

Make any element a sticker or add the perfect mat to your picture

Stroking is a great digital technique that adds a line around any path.  Umm – what??  In simple terms a path is the outer boundary, the outline, around an object (whether it be a picture, element, or text).  When you stroke one of these objects it adds a line around it.

With stroking you can add the perfect mat to a picture, you can make an element or text look like a sticker and you can make a light font look bolder.  And the added bonus:  this technique is so easy!

I am a GIMP user so my tutorial will be in that medium; however, I included PSE directions for stroking (found on the internet) at the end of this tutorial.  I hope that one of these sets of steps will correlate with your program.

First, determine which object (picture, element, text) you want to stroke.  In this tutorial I am using a picture.

Second, determine what color with which you want to line the object.  In GIMP your foreground color (Black is default) is the color your line will be.  If you desire a white border, simply click on the switching arrows located near the color blocks.  If you want something other than black or white, click directly on the color blocks.

The color menu will appear.  Play with the slide bars and/or the intersecting lines to get your desired color.  Once you have it press "okay" in the color menu.

Next, select the object you want to stroke in the layers dialog.  Right click on the thumb nail so that a drop down menu appears.  Scroll down and select "Alpha to Selection".  (Note:  By doing this you are defining the boundary (or path) around your object.  You will see a dancing line wrapping around your object.)

Now, on the picture menu bar, select the "Edit" drop down menu and select "Stroke Selection".

The stroking menu will appear.  Here is where you get to play with the type and size of your line.  Usually for larger projects, like matting a picture, your number will be larger.  In this tutorial, a solid color is being used.  Select a number and press "okay".  If you don't like the effect simply select the "Undo" option under the "Edit" drop down menu.

After getting the desired effect, go to the "Select" drop down menu and select "None".  This will remove the dancing line from your object.

Here is the final product of stroking the picture.

You can follow the above steps to make an accent/alpha look like a sticker.  To make a font look bolder, be sure your stroking color is the same as your text and that the stroke is no larger than 1 or 2 pxls.

Using PSE, this technique is super easy!

First, select an element.

Now, with the element selected in your layers palette, go to <edit> and select <stroke (outline) selection>.

Here is where you can play around a bit with the stroke. Change its width and color and position until you find your preference.   You can also play around with the blending modes to add your own flare!
Click <okay> and see what you come up with. If you don’t like it, then <undo> and play around with it some more.

Try it with some text. After you type out the text, simplify your text layer and then follow the above steps.

Here is my layout showcasing this technique.  I stroked the alpha and apple to make them look like stickers; I stroked the photo and some of my paper strips to give them mats; and I stroked my journaling font to make it bolder.  Hope you find these steps helpful!!

About the author ...
Sarah started scrapbooking in 2005 and shortly thereafter found A Cherry on Top, her scrapbooking haven. In May of 2007, during a crop, she discovered digital scrapbooking which took her obsession to a whole new level. Challenges and new techniques drive her hobby while her family inspires her work. She is in love with David, her husband of seven years, and her two boys, Brennan and Connor.

Submitted by davsar