We’ve been throwing around the idea of this wedding coloring sheet for years but never had a great tutorial for how to make one yourself, which you absolutely can do. Yep, you don’t have to outsource this project to someone else if you have access to a program like Photoshop, GIMP, or Pixlr. I’m going to be demonstrating it with Photoshop, but the steps are mostly translatable between each program. Here’s a specific tutorial for Pixlr and GIMP if you’re using one of those instead.
If you really aren’t into DIYing this, there are online tools that can help. Try out a site like Reallycolor.com who will transform the photos for you. But hey, why do that when you can give these DIY coloring pages a try yourself? Here’s how to do it…
Tips: a high-contrast, non-blurry photo works best. Also make sure your photo is high enough resolution to be printable, but it’s not super important since we’re doing so much editing to it.
Create a duplicate layer
Duplicate the first layer by right-clicking on the layer and choosing Duplicate Layer. Make sure the NEW layer is above the original in the layers panel. You can click and drag it above, if needed.
Desaturate the new layer
Make your new layer black and white by going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. Take Saturation all the way down to the left.
Duplicate the new layer again
Duplicate the new layer one more time by right-clicking on the layer and choosing Duplicate Layer.
Invert the newest layer
While on your newest desaturated layer, go to Image > Adjustments > Invert. This will invert the colors. It will look a little weird for now. Or really kick-ass?
Color Dodge the new layer
On your inverted layer, look for a drop-down menu in the Layers panel. See the screenshot for placement. Then choose Color Dodge instead of Normal. This will probably make your photo look almost all white. This is okay! If it’s not, you may have forgotten the second layer duplication. Go back a few steps to see.
Blur the layer
While on your newest layer go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and adjust the slider bar until your photo starts to resemble a coloring page. This could be either to the right or left depending on your photo. It will probably resemble this somewhat…
Flatten the image
Go to Layer > Flatten Image to combine all of the layers into one.
Adjust the contrast
Go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast and mess with the contrast slider until your lines are darker. Then you can save and print!
Depending on your photo, this may not give you the result you want. Mine, for instance, wouldn’t go dark enough. If this is the case, go to the next optional step…
Optional: mess with the Shadows
Under Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights, adjust the Shadows until the lines darken to your liking. This will make it easier to color in.
The finished result, ready for saving and printing…
More reception activity ideas:
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