Can't find that perfect image? Try looking in the stamp section at your local craft store for inspiration! This technique was taught to me early in my career and I am passing it on to other designers. I have used this for wedding invitations, baby announcements, gift tags and for background patterns on some packaging projects. Get creative!
**This tutorial uses Photoshop and Illustrator
Materials Needed - Favorite stamp and a dark ink pad
Stamp a couple of options to see which version you would like to use.
Scan. I usually scan the images in at 1200 dpi. Ridiculously high, but it will catch all the detail.
Open in Photoshop and choose which version you would like to use for your final. I chose the first leaf on the left.
Adjust the brightness contrast and levels to get the image to a desired darkness. Use the magic wand tool and select the dark section. Then in Photoshop under the Select option, choose select similar. This will grab onto all the dark areas with the "dancing ants." Go to the path palette and select the make work path from selection option. Save this work path to Path 1. Pull down File and go to Export. Now Export paths to Illustrator. Open Path in Illustrator.
The image is usually in the crop marks, but I have also seen instances where I have had to zoom way out to find the image. Select the image. Under Pathfinder, select the exclude overlapping shape areas tool. Expand. All the areas should knock out.
Now you have a vector image that you are free to change the colors to and use in any way your imagination sees fit!
CHEERS
