Instead of spending money at a stationer or ordering online, you can create your own letterhead for your business or personal correspondence by using the Adobe Photoshop graphics software. Photoshop is a robust package filled with tools, palettes and filters to help you design your own stationery in just a few clicks. Create different letterhead for each member of your family or design a "fun" letterhead for social correspondence and a more serious style for business paperwork.
Step 1
Open Photoshop and click "File," then click "New." Name the file "MyLetterhead" and make the image size 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches high. Then click the "OK" button.
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Step 2
Click the "Line" tool on the "Tools" palette on the left of your screen. If you don't see a line, look for a rectangle, circle or star shape, then right-click it and select "Line Tool." These tools share the same space and remain in place until they are changed.
Step 3
Notice the rulers running across and down the side of your "MyLetterhead" box. Click on the vertical 1-inch mark and draw a line horizontally across your screen. Don't worry if your line isn't exactly straight; you'll be deleting it later. It just gives you room to make your letterhead.
Step 4
Click the "New Layer" icon, which looks like a flipped-up sticky note, in the "Layers" palette on the right side of the screen. A new Layer 1 appears. Right-click it, select "Layer Properties" and change the name to "LetterheadInfo."
Step 5
Maximize the "MyLetterhead" box on your screen and press the "Ctrl" and "+" keys to give yourself room.
Step 6
Click the "Text" tool, which looks like a "T," on the "Tools" palette. Notice the new toolbar at the top of the screen. Select a font, size and color for your name and address information on the letterhead. Click once above the horizontal line and your cursor turns into a blinking line. Type your name, address, phone number, email, website and any other information, pressing the "Enter" key to create a new line each time.
Step 7
Click the "Move" tool, which looks like a black arrowhead and cross, then move your text into place, such as left-aligned or in the middle above the line.
Step 8
(Optional) Add a new layer to the "Layers" palette and rename it "Image." Click "File," then click "Open" and browse to a photo or image on your computer to add to the letterhead. Double-click it and it opens in the work space. Click the "Edit" menu at the top of the screen, then click "Transform" and "Scale" and shrink the image so it fits above the line.
Step 9
Click on the "Shape" layer in the "Layers" palette to highlight it, then, as your finger is pressed on the mouse, drag it into the little garbage can icon at the bottom of the palette.
Step 10
Click the right-pointing triangle in a circle at the top of the palette and select "Flatten Image." Save your letterhead by clicking "File," then choosing "Save As" and giving it a destination on your computer.
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