In case you missed my post this weekend, I shared the custom canvases I designed for my latest Shutterfly projects. Now, I’m going to show you how to create your own, using a free photo program and fonts! Are you excited? I’m a little nervous about teaching this, so my fingers are crossed that I do a good job and this step-by-step tutorial is easy for you to follow. Please let me know! Here we go…

How to Create a Custom Circle Logo for a 16″ x 16″ Canvas

Step #1: Download Picasa (free)

I have been using Picasa for years and years, even in my real estate days. Until a couple months ago, it was the only photo program that I used. (Now, I’m using Lightroom, too. Thanks to my girl, Rennai Hoefer) I still do quick editing, make collages and add fonts/words to my photos using Picasa.

Step #2: Download the Circle Graphics

I created this circle graphic with a gray linen background in both black and white. Download whichever you prefer and save somewhere on your computer where you can find it. Please note this is formatted with extra border space for a 16″ x 16″ canvas so it can wrap around the sides of the canvas. It may work on a smaller square canvas as well, but I have only used it on the 16″ x 16″ Shutterfly canvas. Download the black circle graphic | Download the white circle graphic (these links will download the zip file, right click on the jpeg file and select copy, then paste in a folder where you can find it)

Step #3: Open Picasa on your computer

Open Picasa on your computer and find your circle graphic in the left column folders. Click on the file name to open. Then select: File, Save a Copy. This way you are saving the blank original circle graphic in case you want to make another one later.

Step #4: Add text, change font, change text colors

Click on the TEXT function in the left column. Type one of the words or phrases you would like to use on the logo.

Choose the font color (white is best on black obviously) and font style. For my logo, I used Wisdom Script, Futura and 58 Rodeo (all free fonts). If you want to use the same fonts that I used, you will want to download them and add them to your font file on your computer so that they will show up in your font list on the left column.

Step #5: Resize and move text.

Click on the text you are working on. Click on the little red dot on the right side of the circle and this will allow you to adjust the size. (and rotate for other projects) Adjust the size to what you think looks and fits well, but don’t worry because you can continue adjusting the size and placement as you add more words and graphics to your logo. Click on the gray border of the text to move the text to the desired location.

Repeat, adding all text.

Step #6: Add embellishments

You can add graphics like the heart shown below and the deer silhouette shown on my canvas by searching for free dingbat fonts online. Just search for the object you are looking for, ie. “free heart dingbat font” and download font just like any other font. Add the dingbats to your logo just like you would add text. You can create a line (as shown under “Ashton”) by using a basic font like Times New Roman and typing the underscore button repeatedly until the desired length of the line.

Step #7: Save and upload.

Save your file. Visit Shutterfly and select Canvas Prints. Then select Photo Gallery Canvas Print.  Choose the 16″ x 16″ size. Click Personalize and upload your saved graphic file you just created.

Easy enough, right? 

I would love your feedback!

Please let me know if you enjoyed this tutorial and if you would like me to post more tutorials like this!

xoxo, kim

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST. THE TOMKAT STUDIO HAS RECEIVED PAYMENT, TRADE AND/OR PRODUCTS FROM SHUTTERFLY IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMOTING, HOWEVER ALL OPINIONS STATED ARE MY OWN.