Linking layers is something I do so often, I don’t even think about it anymore. When you’re working with different photos, each on a separate layer yet they have to stay in sync; you link them. When creating company logos existing of one or more layers; you link them. Someone asked me how I did it, here’s how:

The Technique:

My intro and end shot always have my logo printed at the bottom. As do most of my regular photos. Most photographers use their own logo. There are tons of different ways to achieve this, but this is the technique I personally use for it, it’s dead simple.

 

Create a new image, 500 x 500 pixels or so. I always use a bright colored background for this. Select the type tool from the side bar menu.

 

Next, type the text you want, in whatever font, color and size you want. Of course, I opted for Kayotic—I still love that name, it really covers the load. Make the logo big, though, so you can use it in larger photos as well.

 

I’ve named my layer Kayotic.

 

I always use two different fonts for my logo. To deselect the first layer, just randomly click somewhere in the grey part of the layers palette.

 

Place your cursor back in the image and now I use a smaller and different font to create the word photography. I place it underneath Kayotic.

 

And I name the layer accordingly.

 

Select both layers (hold down shift and click both layers).

 

Click on the little chain icon at the bottom of the layers palette. This will link your layers. Clicking it again while having selected the layers will unlink them.

 

Your chain will also appear on the right side of the layers.

 

You can still edit each layer separately now; adjust the text, font size etc, but as soon as you move the logo within your image they’ll stick together like glue. This is exceptionally handy when you’re resizing logos existing of more than one layer.

 

Try it; press CTRL – T (or via Edit – Free Transform) and hold down SHIFT while dragging one corner of the transform box, either increasing or decreasing the size of your logo. Holding down SHIFT while resizing your image will keep everything in proportion.

 

If you still want to be able to edit your text layers, save the file as a PSD now. I actually keep mine in my quick task bar, that way it pops up in no time. Every time you need your logo on a photo, just open the PSD and keep the two files side by side on your screen.

 

Select the two text text layers and simply drag the layers from the layers palette right on top of the image you want your logo to appear.

 

Drop them anywhere in the image you want them.

 

Use Ctrl – T to open up the free transform tool and hold down shift while dragging a corner to resize your logo. Place it anywhere you want. For me putting my logo at the bottom works best, aesthetically.

 

Now if there’s just no need for you edit the text layers any longer, you can rasterize and merge them. That will turn them into one normal layer in stead of two different text layers.

 

Select both your text layers and right-click your mouse. Choose Rasterize Layers from the menu.

 

Right-click your mouse once more and choose Merge Layers.

 

Now you have one logo layer that you can drag on top of any image and resize as you see fit, but you won’t be able to change the text any longer. Keep that in mind.

 

Either way, this is a very handy way to add a logo to your photos and keep full quality of the text while resizing it. You can add little drawings to it, flowers, birds, anything that is typical for you, your website or photography and just link the whole bunch.

This way your logo will always look the same and stay in proportion during resizing.

 

Cheat Sheet:

Editable Text Layers:

* Create a 500 x 500 px image
* Select the Type Tool from the sidebar menu
* Select your font, font-size and font  color
* Type the text you want
* Click the layers palette to deselect the layer
* Type more text below previous text
* Hold down SHIFT and select both layers
* Click the Link Layers chain icon at the bottom of your layers palette
* Save your file as a PSD
* Select both text layers
* Drag the layers on top of any photo you want your logo to appear
* Resize by pressing CTRL – T and hold down SHIFT while dragging a corner.

Non-Editable Text Layer

* Select both text layers
* Right click your mouse and choose Rasterize Layers
* Right click once more and choose Merge Layers
* Save your file as a PSD
* Drag the layer on top of any photo you want your logo to appear
* Resize by pressing CTRL-T and hold down SHIFT while dragging a corner