How to Create a Frame in Photoshop

Last Updated: January 26, 2020

This wikiHow will show you how to create frames in Photoshop with your computer as well as how to add frames to your photos using Photoshop on your mobile phone or tablet.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Frame on a Computer

1
Open your image in Photoshop. On a Mac or Windows computer, you'll be able to open the program from your Start Menu or the Applications folder in Finder.
- This will work for Photoshop on Mac and Windows.
- You may be prompted to open a file or create a new project, but if you aren't, go to File > Open to open your picture, you can also press CTRL + O (Windows) or CMD + O (Mac) on your computer's keyboard.
2
Click the Image tab. You'll find this in the menu at either the top of the program window or at the top of your screen.

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3
Click Canvas Size. When you open your image, the canvas size is the same as the dimensions of your picture. You'll want to add extra space around your canvas so you can add a frame.
4
Change the canvas size numbers. Change the width and height to percent instead of pixels so you don't have to worry about calculations.
- Make sure your anchor is set to the middle of the canvas using the image below "Relative."
- You can also change the canvas extension color here. It defaults to white.^{[1]
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- Click OK to continue.
5
Click the icon that looks like a half grey and half white circle. You'll see this at the bottom of the Layers panel next to the folder icon. A menu should pop-up.
6
Click Solid Color. This is at the top of the pop-up menu and launches a pop-up window.
7
Set the color. You can choose any color here, but white is the default. Click OK to continue.
8
Drag and drop the frame layer to the back. When you drag your layer below the image layer in the panel, you should see your image in your canvas instead of the other layer.
- You should now see your frame around your picture. You can experiment with frame colors by double-clicking the left-most thumbnail in the frame layer in the Layers panel. You can also return to the "Canvas Size" menu in Image to change how much or little frame you see.^{[2]
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9
Save your image. You can press CTRL + S (Windows) or CMD + S (Mac) to save your image or go to File > Save.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Adding a Frame to Your Picture in the Mobile App

1
Open your image in Photoshop. On a mobile phone or tablet, this app icon looks like blue letters “P” and “S” in the middle of a diamond on a black background. You can find this app on your home screen, in your app drawer, or by searching.
- As soon as you launch the app, you should be prompted to open an image.
2
Swipe the bottom menu. This is the menu of icons starting with the three empty, overlapping circles.
3
Tap the last icon that looks like a border and image combo. This will change your editing options to Basic, Edges, and Frames.
4
Tap Frames. Since you aren't given the option to enlarge the canvas, some of the frames available will cover some of your image.
- Tap through the frames to preview what they'll look like with your image in the preview above.
5
Tap Export. You'll see this at the top right of your screen.
- All the saving options will appear. You can save the image to your gallery or share with a friend over Facebook.