Banner Workshop

Mickey · July 3, 2009, 6:48am

Re: Banner Workshop

Here is my go for a banner… simple as can be and working off some of what other people have shown here…

i must admit i am not a good banner maker but i do try and they do end up getting some clicks from time to time but am sure i could get more clicks if i did banners better…

Andyr · July 3, 2009, 7:03am

Re: Banner Workshop

Not a standard size I know due to the fact it is to fill the available width I have below a small gallery… Font is boring I know that also… You can see where the layers overlap also (any suggestions on how to clean that up? I’m using photoshop btw)

Thanks.

basschick · July 3, 2009, 7:18am

Re: Banner Workshop

i’d like to see more variety in the text - font or size or both - and less space between the lines of text. . also that pic doesn’t really show much… do you have one that shows the cock in the mouth better?

[quote=Mickey;46295]Here is my go for a banner… simple as can be and working off some of what other people have shown here…

i must admit i am not a good banner maker but i do try and they do end up getting some clicks from time to time but am sure i could get more clicks if i did banners better…[/quote]

my problem isn’t that the font is boring so much as that this seems more like a small header or page graphic than a banner. there’s nothing that stands out on it and nothing that lets me know i should click.

if your layers were opaque, we couldn’t see the overlap.

[quote=Andyr;46297]

Not a standard size I know due to the fact it is to fill the available width I have below a small gallery… Font is boring I know that also… You can see where the layers overlap also (any suggestions on how to clean that up? I’m using photoshop btw)

Thanks.[/quote]

Bec · July 3, 2009, 10:09am

Re: Banner Workshop

[QUOTE=basschick;46294]

and i didn’t have time to correct dude number 2 - i was busy reviewing the interweb ;)[/QUOTE]

So I heard rofl get it all done?

Bec · July 3, 2009, 10:15am

Re: Banner Workshop

[QUOTE=Andyr;46297]

Not a standard size I know due to the fact it is to fill the available width I have below a small gallery… Font is boring I know that also… You can see where the layers overlap also (any suggestions on how to clean that up? I’m using photoshop btw)

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

If you’re trying to produce a nice black and white image, you still need to give it some “contrast” after reversing it. That is so flat colorwise you can’t really see what the images are.

Something all of you can play around with, is adding a 2nd layer to your text to push it up off the page and give it some depth.

do your line of text
copy/paste that line of text - both copies are in the identical same space, one on top of the other
carefully select the original text (the layer on the bottom) and change its color. Go bright red for the moment so you can see the effect of what you do next.
while the red text is selected, use your arrow keys to move the font block two spaces to the right, and two spaces down.

Once you see what this does to your text, you’ll have a better idea of what color the under layer color should be.

Andyr · July 3, 2009, 12:02pm

Re: Banner Workshop

[QUOTE=Bec;46312]If you’re trying to produce a nice black and white image, you still need to give it some “contrast” after reversing it. That is so flat colorwise you can’t really see what the images are.

Something all of you can play around with, is adding a 2nd layer to your text to push it up off the page and give it some depth.

do your line of text
copy/paste that line of text - both copies are in the identical same space, one on top of the other
carefully select the original text (the layer on the bottom) and change its color. Go bright red for the moment so you can see the effect of what you do next.
while the red text is selected, use your arrow keys to move the font block two spaces to the right, and two spaces down.

Once you see what this does to your text, you’ll have a better idea of what color the under layer color should be.[/QUOTE]

After erasing and shaping some of the edges that overlap on the layers I managed to get it smoother.
Adjusted the contrast also… and got shot of that foggy look…
Played with a second text layer also, thats an interesting one I will have to remember… Decided to go with a slight outerglow though in this case…
Its looking to me at least much cleaner now than it did thanks Bec

Basschick : Yes your quite right in your assumption it is a header graphic that I made for the site, That I am doing a banner of it for a small gallery post and well also as a standard banner for exchanges and stuff…

So yes this version does need some sort of call to action text on it I will have to think about.

basschick · July 3, 2009, 3:14pm

Re: Banner Workshop

i think it may also need a very thin white or colored border around the letters so they stand out more.

[quote=Andyr;46315]After erasing and shaping some of the edges that overlap on the layers I managed to get it smoother.
Adjusted the contrast also… and got shot of that foggy look…
Played with a second text layer also, thats an interesting one I will have to remember… Decided to go with a slight outerglow though in this case…
Its looking to me at least much cleaner now than it did thanks Bec

Basschick : Yes your quite right in your assumption it is a header graphic that I made for the site, That I am doing a banner of it for a small gallery post and well also as a standard banner for exchanges and stuff…

So yes this version does need some sort of call to action text on it I will have to think about.[/quote]

Jeff · July 3, 2009, 4:46pm

Re: Banner Workshop

I take it affiliate managers can get in on this correct? I have permission to use any of UKScallyLads images for promotional purposes.

Let me know and I’ll get on it. I needed to create some new ones anyway. lol

Bec · July 3, 2009, 5:17pm

Re: Banner Workshop

[QUOTE=Jeff@UKScallyLads;46335]I take it affiliate managers can get in on this correct? I have permission to use any of UKScallyLads images for promotional purposes.

Let me know and I’ll get on it. I needed to create some new ones anyway. lol[/QUOTE]

The more the merrier … jump on in

Jeff · July 3, 2009, 5:17pm

Re: Banner Workshop

Cool!

Paul · July 3, 2009, 7:11pm

Re: Banner Workshop

Make a few with Shayne if you think of it.
Especially the 120x400 and 200x250 size. I’ll use them on my redhead blog straight away.

[QUOTE=Jeff@UKScallyLads;46335]I take it affiliate managers can get in on this correct? I have permission to use any of UKScallyLads images for promotional purposes.

Let me know and I’ll get on it. I needed to create some new ones anyway. lol[/QUOTE]

Bec · July 3, 2009, 7:26pm

Re: Banner Workshop

[QUOTE=Andyr;46315]After erasing and shaping some of the edges that overlap on the layers I managed to get it smoother.
Adjusted the contrast also… and got shot of that foggy look…
Played with a second text layer also, thats an interesting one I will have to remember… Decided to go with a slight outerglow though in this case…
Its looking to me at least much cleaner now than it did thanks Bec

Basschick : Yes your quite right in your assumption it is a header graphic that I made for the site, That I am doing a banner of it for a small gallery post and well also as a standard banner for exchanges and stuff…

So yes this version does need some sort of call to action text on it I will have to think about.[/QUOTE]

Do we get to see the revision?

RDude · July 3, 2009, 11:37pm

Re: Banner Workshop

[QUOTE=Paul;46343]Make a few with Shayne if you think of it.
Especially the 120x400 and 200x250 size. I’ll use them on my redhead blog straight away.[/QUOTE]

Sure Paul, I can do up one with Shayne on it. I’ll get on these tomorrow I think. Put aside some time. Oh darn, I answered as the wrong person. You see what happens when you have dual personalities? LOL!!

Gaystoryman · July 4, 2009, 11:10am

Re: Banner Workshop

Okay my third attempt at this one.

basschick · July 4, 2009, 1:02pm

Re: Banner Workshop

out of curiosity, why the large single quote?

[quote=Gaystoryman;46366]Okay my third attempt at this one.

[/quote]

Gaystoryman · July 4, 2009, 1:44pm

Re: Banner Workshop

I have no idea really, figured it looked better than having two? or simply forgot to add another, mind you it was a bitch to find that style of quote.

This is one with both quotes

any better?

Craig · July 4, 2009, 2:04pm

Re: Banner Workshop

realmenrealhot · July 4, 2009, 2:07pm

Re: Banner Workshop

My 2 cents on the quote… just the stark contrast from black to white really doesn’t stand out as much. Just like most novels have a very exciting cover to attract some attention on the shelf. What about a layer behind the quote… like a book on a bed slightly blurred or watermarked light to add some “realism” and depth to the color pallette. Even a sexy blurred photo of 2 hot guys… as if a “cover” to the book.

Also, if it’s a quote about meeting up in a lockerroom… find a photo of rows of lockers to watermark behind… set the mood more, than just text

basschick · July 4, 2009, 3:10pm

Re: Banner Workshop

you’re missing the point - the way craig did it, it’s a blind banner. they always get more clicks than other banners.

[quote=realmenrealhot;46387]My 2 cents on the quote… just the stark contrast from black to white really doesn’t stand out as much. Just like most novels have a very exciting cover to attract some attention on the shelf. What about a layer behind the quote… like a book on a bed slightly blurred or watermarked light to add some “realism” and depth to the color pallette. Even a sexy blurred photo of 2 hot guys… as if a “cover” to the book.

Also, if it’s a quote about meeting up in a lockerroom… find a photo of rows of lockers to watermark behind… set the mood more, than just text :)[/quote]

realmenrealhot · July 4, 2009, 3:33pm

Re: Banner Workshop

I was actually responding to the banner above his. When I posted my response, Craig’s got their first. Sorry for the confusion.