Recoloring Elements & Paper

We will show you how to take an image like this tag with a pink flower & change the color for part of it (the flower & matching polka dots on the ribbon). This will work on elements & papers and can be used for the whole item or just a specific part.

1. Click on the magic wand.

2. Change the tolerance to 90 by using the pulldown menu & adjusting the slider or typing in the number.

3. Hint - the lower the tolerance number is, the less area will be selected (lighter colors) and as you raise the tolerance number, more area will be selected. Play with it to find what number works best for the image you're working with. Another thing that will make the magic wand more sensitive & easier to use is zoom in on your workspace making the image larger.

4. Click on the area that you want to change the color of. If too much or too little is selected, use Undo (ctrl Z) & adjust the tolerance level. Then try selecting again.

5. Under Adjustments, choose Color, Colorize

6. Click on the image to choose the new color. (The color that you choose will move into the center & new color choices will appear. Keep clicking on the images until you find the color that you want to use.)

7. Hints: You can also adjust the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness to affect the brightness, intensity, etc of the colors.

8. If you don't see the color in the choices on the top right, you can click on the “Current Color" on the bottom right. (in this case it's a red box). Then you can choose the color you want & start refining it above with the offered choices.

9. Click on the Select tool (top left arrow) to get rid of the marching arrows (the selected area). Save the image as a png if it's an irregular shape or a jpg if it's a square of rectangle.

This is an example of changing a color in a paper. It allows you to perfectly color match any paper or embellishment that you have.