ABC PSP - Tutorial 13

Assembling Frame and Background Stationery

By ©LismibaebisCreations
September 2009

Skill Level: Absolute Beginner using PSP

This tutorial is my own creation; any resemblance to another tutorial is purely coincidental

This is part 13 of a series of tutorials for the absolute beginner with PSP.
It is recommended that you complete the tutorials in numerical sequence, as each new one will build on the knowledge gained by the previous tutorials.

How do I transform something I have made in PSP into Stationery?

There are 2 options I am familiar with

Outlook Express/Windows Mail (Vista)
Incredimail

Outlook Express

To make stationery for Outlook Express (called "Windows Mail" in Vista), you need a html file (called script) and need to adjust this file.

Unfortunately I can't offer any help for OE/Windows Mail stationery.

There are groups for sharing scripts and there are also yahoo groups to learn how to adjust the scripts and get the stationery to work in Outlook Express/Windows Mail.

If you are interested in learning how to do OE/Windows Mail stationery, I can highly recommend joining this group:
FirstSteps_InStationery

Incredimail

To make stationery for Incredimail, you need the program called Letter Creator.

Letter Creator comes together with a download of the Incredimail program.
You are given a brief free trial for Letter Creator. If you want to use it regularly, you will have to buy the program.

Needed

Letter Creator from Incredimail, available here

Images
a) A framed image you created and saved as either jpeg or gif.
(png is another option, but people running Internet Explorer 6 on their computer might not see this correctly)
Take note where you saved it

b) A background image saved as a jpeg file.
This can be a tile about 250 x 250 pixels or the width of your computer resolutions.
Should be saved in the same place as your framed image

Let's Start

1) Open Letter Creator

2) Header:

Header Background Color

Color = Ignore as we will choose image

Clear = Ignore

Sample = Ignore

Header Content and Layout

Image = Look for the framed image you created

Clear = Delete the chosen image
(if you want to choose another image)

Link = Ignore

Text Alignment = Center

Ignore the other options if you only want to add an image

3) Body:

Background
Image = Look for the background image you created

Tile = Checked

Color = Ignore as we will use "Sample"

Sample = Click on background to select dominant color

Clear = Delete the chosen image
(if you want to choose another image)

Image Position = Top Left

Text
Choose a Font and Font Size
(I recommend Size 18, some script fonts need to be 24)

Text Color = Ignore

Sample = Click on image or frame to select a color for your font color.
Make sure it contrasts well with the background in order to be text friendly

Link Color = Ignore

Sample = Choose a color from your image or frame for the links

Signature Color = Choose a color for the signatures

Margins:
Top = 10
Left = depending on your background image and where you want the text
(I set it to 10 with a background with no border and about 10 - 20 to the right of a border)
Right = 10
Line spacing = 18 - 20

3) Footer:

Footer Background Color

Color = Ignore

Clear = Ignore

Sample = Ignore

Footer Content and Layout

Image = If you have a button or banner with your name, add it here

Clear = Delete the chosen image
(if you want to choose another image or text)

Link = Add Link if you wish

Font = Font of choice

Font size = Font size of choice

Text Alignment = Center

In your footer would normally go:

- Your name

- Reference and link (if possible) to art used
(To create a Link:
Highlight the text, click on Link in the Footer Content and Layout and type in the link you want to use)

- Font used

- Name of tutorial used and link to the tut writer

- Date you created this stat

4) Finish
Choose Letter Name and Collection Name
Category
Type
Save Project
Add to Incredimail

Optional

3D Effects

I do not fill in this part by personal choice as I have turned this effect off in Incredimail in order to let the PC run more smoothly

Of course you are free to choose the effects you like

I hope that you have found this tutorial helpful.
If you have any questions, please email me at: Barbara @ Lismibaebi.com

Suggestions for future ABC Tutorials are welcome

A special "Thank you" goes to my Tester Group.
Your help, support and patience made this possible