This tutorial will show how to create a simple layout from scratch in PSE3. You will learn how to create a new document, bring in photos, resize elements, add text, add shadows, and save your layout.

Create a new document
1. Once Photoshop Elements is open, go to File>New…
2. In the New pop up window, enter the working name of your layout (you can change this later if you want to) in the Name field.
3. Decide what size your layout will be. You may want to use a Preset Size or just enter the dimension you want your layout to be in the Width and Height fields.
Hint: Common sizes of digital layouts are 12”x12”, 8”x8”, 8.5”x11”, and 8”x10”. You can use any size that you want. For the example I did an 8.5”x11” layout.
4. Set your Resolution to 300 pixels/inch if you plan to print your layouts or if you would like to submit work to scrapbook magazines. You can easily reduce your resolution at a later date for posting images on the web, but you cannot increase your resolution without introducing a great deal of noise and artifacts to your work.
5. Set your Mode to RGB.
6. Set your Contents to white. This means that when your new document opens you will see a white background on top of which you will create your papers and place photos
7. When everything is filled in click OK and PSE will create a new document for you.

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