Ink stamped skin

and tatoos too ... fun with photos!

The Question: Ink stamped skin: How do I make a font/type look like it was "ink- stamped" on a fore head or a hand or any surface???

Our reply to a question sent in by: michah
 

Michah, I thought you'd never ask!
   This is a fun technique and when done properly it's almost impossible to tell it's been faked.

Start with the stamp

First you need the image. Set the type, border art, etc. If it's got thin line outlines as a tatoo might, then draw the shapes with paths
Set a thin, soft-edged paintbrush, then select "Stroke Sub Path" from the paths palette menu. It will ask for the brush to do the stroking -- select 'paint brush' and hit enter.
Build solid areas using selections and don't fill them with solid color. Use the airbrush inside the active selection, applying 'spurts' of paint. Make sure you leave some splotches of partial coverage.
Once the design is ready to go, drag it into the photo.

Give it contour

Depending on where the final stamp is to rest, chances are there's a bit of a curve. Figure out which way the bend will go, and then use one of two ways of bending it:
1) with the stamp layer active, access "Free Transform" (Edit menu) or hit command/T then Control/click (right-click) and select Rotate 90 Clockwise from the pop-up menu. (We need to rotate it because the "Distort/Shear" is a vertical thing.)
Use the marquee (key/m) and select the image, then
Filter > Distort > Shear
When the dialog appears there will be a vertical selection line. Grab the middle handle and give it a nudge in the direction you need the curve. Hit 'Okay" and then return it to the orientation of the site where you plan to 'stamp' it.
2) Or, Filter > Render > 3D Render
Use the cylinder tool (or other which may be appropriate) and carefully adjust the image to the anticipated contour of the site where the stamp will be applied.

Stamp It

Move the image into position, rotate to a natural tilt,
If it is too sharp, add a very slight amount of Gaussian blur... half a point or so.
Use the Layer Blending mode "Multiply" to mix its color with the flesh tone
Slide the opacity setting to between 70 and 80 to further 'fade' it into the skin.
For a real look of rubber stamping, take a very soft eraser, set at a very low range -- 10 to 15% and click some "blotches" out of the stamp -- remember stamps never give uniform coverage.

Now, when you get this one done, please send a copy so we can all see it!
Thanks for reading
 

Retrieved from Photoshop 911: 10/01/2002

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