Ok, now that you've made your gradient let's put it to some use and make a lovely tag :)

All you need for this tutorial is:

• Paint Shop Pro 7 or any other version
• Mask of your choice
• Tube of your choice
• Font of your choice

If you like the mask and tube I'm using then you can download them here. Download the mask (.msk) to your My Documents/My PSP/Masks. If there isn't a folder called Masks then make one. PSP will recognise it. Download the tube (.psp) to wherever you keep yours :) I've also included the font (.ttf) I used on this tag :)

Right, let's open up a new transparent image 350 x 350. Call the first layer bgrd and click on your Paint Can  . Floodfill your new image with white (#ffffff) or black (#000000) or any other colour you like. I'm using black for this tag, but I've also included examples of what the tag will look like on a white background.

Now add a new layer and name it template. This is where we will be using your new gradient that you made :) Click on your Paint Can then go to your colour pallette and find your new gradient by clicking on the little black arrow facing right then clicking on your gradients as below:

Now floodfill your template layer with your new gradient. Next go to Effects/Noise/Add and use the settings below:

Hmmm.... doesn't look much at the moment does it lol! Ok so let's go to Mask/Load from Disk and find a mask you like or the swirl.msk that I've used. Unfortunately in PSP7 you don't see a preview of the mask in this menu but you can use your File/Browse then find your masks in either MY PSP (My Documents) or in Masks (Jasc Software). This way you can see what you like, remember the name, then use your Mask Menu to select the one you like.

That looks a lot better lol! Here are two examples for you to check that yours is the same. I've resized them for easier loading :)

Now you can add any tube you like :) It could be flowers, a woman or your favourite tube, or all of em, lol! I'm going to add a womans face and my name. Again, if you'd like to use the same then by all means feel free to use the tube I've included in the zip file above.

Ok let's right click on the tube of the womans face and click copy. You can go to Edit/Copy but I find this much faster and easier :)

Now highlight your masked Image on your Layers Palette, and in the same way (right click on the images menu bar) and paste as New Layer. Rename this layer Woman. I moved    my image down a bit so that I could see more of the template.

Now go to Effects/3D Effects/Drop Shadow and use these settings:

You can now add your name if you want to. Click on your Text Tool    making sure that antialias and vector are checked. Type in your text using the gradient you made. Click on the arrow facing to the right and find your gradient like we did before. The stroke colour I've used is a variation of the rose gradient I made but a little darker (#BA4946). The beautiful font I've used is ChaseCallisSH (.ttf) and is also included in the zip file :)

I'm using the vector setting as I want to play a little with my name so that the woman looks like she's leaning on it. Just use the nodes to pull your text up, or longer whichever you think looks best for your tag.

Once you are happy with your text go to Effects/3D Effects/Drop Shadow and use the same settings as we did before.

Here's the finished tag (which I've resized so I can show you the white background as well :) and I do hope you've enjoyed this tutorial.

You can also use your Preset Tool     and choose a shape you like and then fill it with your gradient. Play around and you'll find you have some lovely effects :) Don't be afraid to experiment - there's ALWAYS the undo tool     LOL!

As always, if you get stuck, then just drop me an email and I'll guide you through :)