Transparent gif Signature Borders

This tutorial will show you how to create transparencies in your images using .gif format.  Using the techniques shown, you will be able to create transparent images!

1. For this tutorial, I will be using a premade signature.  Feel free to follow around using our premade signature:

2. Its simple, but it serves the purpose for this tutorial.  This document is 300x100.  We now need to make a border for our signature.  Create a new layer in your document, and select the Polygon lasso tool from your tool bar:

3. This tool allows us to make a selection by creating a set of points.  While holding the shift button (Holding shift will allow you to select in 45 degree increments), create a selection like shown below:

4. We need to inverse this selection so that instead of having the inside selected, we will select the outside of the document.  Go to Select > Inverse:

5. Use the gradient fill tool to fill this selection with any colors of your choice.  I chose a light to dark blue for my gradient:

6. Apply the following blending options to your border:

7. Using the polygon lasso selection tool again, select parts of the border that you want to cut out.  Once selected, inverse it and press ctrl+x to cut it:

Selection made

Inverse and cut out

8. Once you have finished the above step, click Ctrl + Shift + D to get your selection back.  Now cut out any other layers with parts in this selection:

9. Now we need to save it so that it will save with the transparency.  We can do this by saving it as a gif image.  Go to File > Save For Web.  Set it up as follows:

10. Click ok, and your done!  You have now saved a gif image with transparency!  Here is my final product:

Good Luck!