Cropping A Double-Page Digital Spread For Printing | Video Tutorial

A quick tutorial on how to save files for printing when working with a 24 inch x 12 inch canvas.

You can check out the layout I showcase in the video here.

This is also a good tutorial if you're interested in making a Love You Because photobook. I'd also recommend checking out Melissa's post that includes for own process for setting up the files for the photobook. She added a bleed - a .25 around all the edges. She also leaves a bit of a bleed area in the middle when cropping - I think this is a good idea when uploading files to create a photobook.




Cropping A 24 in x 12 in Digital Canvas For Printing from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

HOW TO CROP YOUR 24 INCH x 12 INCH CANVAS TO TWO 12 INCH x 12 INCH IMAGES IN ELEMENTS


  1. Set up your canvas for 24 inches x 12 inches.

  2. Turn on the Grid. View/Grid. This will give you lines to assist your crop.

  3. Grab the Crop Tool and begin in the top right corner. Stop at the 12 inch vertical line (using the Grid as a guide). Hit enter to crop.

  4. Don't freak out. You will see just the left side of the layout. Go to File/Save As and save your left page as a jpg (this will flatten the file).

  5. Go to Edit/Undo. You should see both sides of the 24x12 canvas again.

  6. Grab the Crop Tool again and begin drawing your box at 12 inches. Hit enter to crop the right side of the layout.

  7. Don't freak out. You will see just the right side of the layout. Go to File/Save As and save your right page as a jpg (this will flatten the file).

  8. Go to Edit/Undo. You should see both sides of the 24x12 canvas again.

  9. File/Save to save the entire 24x12 canvas as a PSD file in case you need to edit it again.


Interested in getting started with digital scrapbooking or learning more about using your computer for telling your stories? Check out my list of posts and video tutorials on my Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking page. My video tutorials can all be found in my Video Tutorial category archive or you can check them all out together on my Vimeo channel.

Also wanted to let you know that Persnickety Prints is having a big sale that begins on Sunday, February 6 and runs through Tuesday, February 8th. It's a great time to get those prints and digital pages you've been saving up printed.

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7 thoughts

  1. Tweets that mention Cropping A Double-Page Digital Spread For Printing | Video Tutorial | Ali Edwards -- Topsy.com says…
    02/05/2011

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ali Edwards, Josephina Mydreama. Josephina Mydreama said: Cropping A Double-Page Digital Spread For Printing | Video Tutorial: A quick tutorial on how… http://goo.gl/fb/EupZC [...]

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  2. Getting Started With Digital Scrapbooking | Ali Edwards says…
    02/05/2011

    [...] Cropping a 24×12 inch canvas to 12×12 for uploading and printing (video tutorial) [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Liz Fischer says…
    02/05/2011

    That's so funny. I was just thinkIng about this today. I also make 2 separate files that are 12x12 and work that way. I was thinking today that a 12x24 would be easier. Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. scrappysue says…
    02/05/2011

    Thanks so much Ali! I was uploading to Persnickety to get my 12 x 12's printed and left the 12 x 24 as I just couldn't face the bother of working out the best way to split it. Yay! Have a great weekend everyone!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Chris (clem)S says…
    02/06/2011

    Ali, Thank you so very much for your tutorials. I always learn something new. You have a great way of explaining, that makes it easy for me (who is still quite new) to use photoshop elements.
    You also have a very easy voice to listen to that make learning fun. It is through your blog and your tutorials that has helped me to be so much better with my photos and all of my digital projects.
    Thank you, Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Sarah says…
    02/06/2011

    I had never printed any of my 12x12 layouts before and had heard of both Persnickity Prints and Scrapbookpages.com. I was going to order from Persnickity because their wesbite looks MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL, but then discovered that scrapbookpages.com is running a February special on 12x12 for JUST $1.25 EACH!!! Although I was pleased with the quality and service of my order, I will probably try Persnickity Prints next time - just for comparison sake.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Ena Gayer says…
    02/19/2011

    Ali,
    Thank you for the post and the tutorial. I got your Love You Because templates. I thought I'd try extending the frame to encompass the two pages. I like that.
    I noticed on Melissa's post that either 1) her handwriting is very similar to yours or 2) there's a handwriting font that's similar. Is there a font? Who sells it?
    I very much enjoy your work. My voice is simple, spare and I love the work you do that speaks to that. Thank you and many thanks to Melissa also. You both rock!

    Reply 0 Replies

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