Photoshop Tutorial by Mc Designs

Badge

Today we'll be creating badge-like icons like the ones that appear above this paragraph. As always I'm using Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended and let's start.

1. First Create a New document (Ctrl+N/Command+N) any size and select the circular shape tool. Now hold Shift on your keyboard and drag out a circle. Let go of your mouse then let go of the Shift key. Okay, so far we have a perfect circle.
   

2. Now we'll need some sort of an image to go along with our badge. Bright, strong patterns and vector art work best, if you'd like free vector art or patterns check out the following links below:
   • Vectoreezy
     
   • deviantArt Photoshop Patterns
     
   • deviantArt Vector Resources
     
   • Free Vectors
     
   • Brusheezy Patterns
3. Okay so I got one from Vectoreezy. Note: The image has been croped and modified.
   

4. Place that image above your perfect circle. Now read carefully the next fews parts are a little tricky.
5. Ctrl+Click/Command+Click on the thumbnail of the circle.
   

6. Keep the selection going and add a layer mask to the vector/pattern layer. Finally delete the circle we created earlier.
7. Add the following layer styles: Drop Shadow, Bevel and Emboss, and Satin.
8. Finally add text (I just placed black text in the center) and finishing touches.