To make a scanned effect in Photoshop, a key technique involves using textures and adjusting blending modes, as highlighted in the provided reference. This method allows you to simulate the look of scanned paper, complete with imperfections and varying degrees of visibility.
A scanned effect typically involves several elements:
- Texture: Paper texture, scan lines, dust, or scratches.
- Color Shifts/Halftones: Slight discoloration or the appearance of printed dots.
- Distortion/Noise: Imperfections introduced by the scanning process.
Here's a breakdown of how to achieve this effect:
Core Steps for a Scanned Look
Based on the referenced technique, incorporating a texture layer is fundamental:
- Drop in your texture: Find a suitable texture image. This could be a scan of old paper, a photocopy texture, or a digital noise texture. Drag and drop this texture file into your Photoshop document above the layer(s) you want to apply the effect to.
- Size it up: Ensure the texture layer covers the entire area where you want the scanned effect to appear. Use the Free Transform tool (Ctrl+T or Cmd+T) to resize and position the texture as needed.
- Mess with the blending mode: This is where the magic happens. With the texture layer selected, go to the Layers panel and click on the blending mode dropdown (it usually says "Normal"). Experiment with different modes like Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, or others.
- Multiply: Often darkens the underlying layers based on the texture.
- Screen: Often lightens the underlying layers.
- Overlay/Soft Light: Can enhance contrast and blend the texture more seamlessly.
- Find something that you like: Continue cycling through blending modes and adjusting the texture layer's opacity until you achieve the desired look.
Enhancing the Scanned Effect
Beyond just adding a texture, you can use several other techniques to make the effect more realistic:
Adding Noise and Grain
Scans often introduce digital noise or grain.
- Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise.
- Adjust the amount and distribution (Uniform or Gaussian). Check "Monochromatic" if you don't want color noise.
Introducing Imperfections
Simulate crinkles, folds, or distortions common in scanned documents.
- Use the Liquify Filter (Filter > Liquify) to subtly distort areas.
- Apply a Displace Filter (Filter > Distort > Displace) using a separate texture map to shift pixels based on the map's light and dark areas.
Adjusting Colors
Scans can sometimes have color casts or look faded.
- Use Hue/Saturation (Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation or Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation) to desaturate or shift colors.
- Use Levels or Curves (Image > Adjustments > Levels/Curves or Adjustment Layers) to adjust the black and white points and contrast, mimicking scanner limitations.
Adding Scan Lines
To get a distinct "photocopy scan line" effect:
- Create a new layer filled with black or a dark color.
- Go to Filter > Filter Gallery.
- Under the "Sketch" folder, select Halftone Pattern.
- Choose "Line" for the Pattern Type and adjust the Size and Contrast.
- Set the blending mode of this layer to Screen or Overlay and adjust opacity.
Summary Table of Techniques
| Technique | Photoshop Tool/Menu | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Texture | Layer Panel (Blending Modes), Transform | Add underlying paper/scan imperfections | Crucial step mentioned in reference. |
| Noise/Grain | Filter > Noise > Add Noise | Simulate digital artifacts | Adds realism. |
| Distortion | Filter > Liquify, Filter > Distort | Mimic paper crinkles or scanner warp | Use subtly for best results. |
| Color Adjust | Adjustment Layers (Hue/Sat, Levels) | Achieve faded look or color cast | Essential for mimicking old scans. |
| Scan Lines | Filter Gallery (Halftone Pattern) | Create distinct line patterns (photocopy) | Specific look, not always needed. |
By combining these techniques, particularly starting with a texture and experimenting with blending modes as shown in the referenced video snippet, you can effectively create a convincing scanned effect in Photoshop.
