{"id":10997,"date":"2025-07-08T00:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/?p=10997"},"modified":"2025-07-08T06:47:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T10:47:08","slug":"bi-color-titles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/bi-color-titles\/","title":{"rendered":"Bi-Color Titles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today I have another new title tip in the ongoing titles saga \ud83d\ude09 Okay, so maybe not all that new. Bi-color titles have been around for a while. Though, I do have to admit that I don\u2019t see as many of them as in years past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I am a bit excited to reintroduce you to a fun way to add some extra interest to a title simply by splitting the color. And I don\u2019t mean using different colors for different words!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think this fun technique will give your artistry a boost and help you think about a different way to make your title a bit more unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: The featured image at the top of this post was created using \u201cNature\u2019s Beauty<\/a><\/strong>\u201d by Heartstrings Scrap Art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color Split<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Not<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There are actually multiple ways to achieve the color split look. The real trick is that no matter which method you choose, they all require perfect centering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that said, this time I will come right out and say DO NOT attempt this technique on an actual layout. It really is best to start with a separate 12×12 file (or whatever size will adequately accommodate the title). For me 12×12 is my \u201cgo to\u201d size as it gives me plenty of room and I can make my title fairly large. I can always re-size things if it\u2019s too large when I move it to my layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as I always mention, I use Photoshop Elements (PSE) 2024. If you use a different version, some of my screen shots may not look the same as what you see on your screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m going to show you the three methods I\u2019ve found to be the most useful; Clipping Method, Layer Mask Method and Gradient Method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know, I know. You\u2019re questioning how a gradient will produce the clean line between the colors that you see in the featured image at the top of this post. Trust me\u2026it\u2019s a \u201ctrick\u201d a lot of people don\u2019t know about!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clipping Method<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Clipping<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This is by far the easiest method I\u2019ve found to split a word\u2019s color cleanly in half. The thing that takes the most time is just getting the workspace set up. Remember\u2026all of these methods involve use of centering techniques!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good thing is, the setup is almost identical for all three methods. So let\u2019s get the workspace ready\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method Set Up<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Based on what I said earlier about working in a separate workspace, I\u2019ve created a new 12×12 file with a white base (Layer 1). I ensure that my Foreground\/Background color chips are set to the defaults (press D).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that all of the methods will require perfect centering, the very next thing I\u2019m going to do is set up my Guides. If you read my \u201cJournal Frames<\/a><\/strong>\u201d post earlier this year, then you already know how to set those up. But I\u2019ll run through it very quickly here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I go to the top tool bar and select View->New Guide. Since this is a 12×12 file all I have to do is set both the Horizontal and Vertical Orientation to 6 inches:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Centering<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Where these guides intersect is the exact center of my document! These guides are going to be very important in every method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: I have my Guide color currently set to a deep aqua color (#1c7676). If you\u2019re following along your Guide color may be different which is fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m going to be using a font from the Futura Now Headline<\/a><\/strong> family. If you\u2019re following along feel free to use a similar bold, sans serif font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get the Horizontal Type tool:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Text<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I then set the font to Futura Now Headline Extra Bold. The Color defaulted to black because my Foreground color chip is set to the default. I set the Size to 220, the Leading to Auto and the Tracking to zero and click on the Center Text icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I then click once in the middle of the document to place the cursor and type the word COLOR in all uppercase. I click the check mark to confirm:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Initial<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Even though I thought I had my cursor near the center, clearly the word COLOR is not centered on the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is very easy to fix. I just go to the Layers Panel and activate both the white layer (Layer 1) and the text layer (COLOR). With both of these layers active I then select the Move tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Move Tool options I click on the Align Center icon, and then click on the Align Middle icon:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Align<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

PSE then perfectly centers the word on the document:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Text<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Making The Split<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now, I go to the Layers Panel and deselect the white layer (Layer 1) making only the text layer active. I want the top half of the word to be a vibrant pink so I set my Foreground color chip to #ec008c. Then I select the Rectangular Tool (a shape tool not the Marquee tool):<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Rectangle<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The color is already set to my desired pink. I select Unconstrained for the geometry option and ensure that From Center and Snap are both unchecked. Then on the document I just drag out a rectangle that covers the top half of the word ensuring the bottom of the rectangle is perfectly aligned with the horizontal guide:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Pink<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: It\u2019s a good idea to zoom in fairly close on the word to be sure the bottom of the rectangle is exactly on the horizontal guide, not above or below it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pink rectangle (Shape 1 for me) is now the active layer and should be directly above the text layer in the Layers Panel. Now, all I have to do is clip that rectangle to the text layer and my word is now bi-color:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Bi-Color<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Generally speaking, I always link a clipped layer (the pink rectangle) with whatever layer is beneath (in this case, the text). This is very important if there\u2019s a chance of moving the underlying layer to a different location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in this case, it\u2019s almost doubly important because of the color split. So, I definitely link these two layers together in the Layers Panel \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how simple was that?!?<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Easy<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now, if this was a \u201creal\u201d title for a layout I could do one of two things here. I can either crop the file to size, hide the guide lines (View-> uncheck Guides) and the white background then save the word as a PNG file. Or I could simply link the rectangle with the text and drag both layers onto an existing layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just an extra pointer for you. Before I drag (copy) layers to another file, I always \u201ccut\u201d clipped layers to only the size required to cover the text\/shape to which it is clipped. You can read more about this in my \u201cLearning New Tricks<\/a><\/strong>\u201d post from back in August of 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUT<\/em><\/strong> if you\u2019re following along, hold off on doing this until after you see another fun twist when I discuss the Gradient Method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basically, in this particular case, here\u2019s what I would do. With the pink rectangle active in the Layers Panel, I Ctrl+Click on the text layer\u2019s thumbnail in the Layers Panel to make a selection around the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring that the pink rectangle is still active, I then click the \u201cAdd layer mask\u201d icon in the Layers Panel. Next, I right click on the pink rectangle\u2019s thumbnail and select \u201cSimplify Layer\u201d. Now the Layers Panel looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Rectangle<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

That big pink rectangle is gone, just the pink top half of the word is shown!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: You certainly don\u2019t have to do that extra step. It\u2019s just a habit of mine (yeah\u2026it\u2019s that OCD, Type A personality again \ud83d\ude0a). For me, it\u2019s all about keeping things tidy and the file size as small as possible. But it is totally optional!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, let\u2019s take a look at the Layer Mask Method\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layer Mask Method<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Layer<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This method is similar to the clipping method but uses more precise measurements. And I\u2019ve already completed the same \u201cMethod Set Up\u201d that I used above for the clipping method. Except this time, I set the color of my font to a nice royal blue (#1400ad):<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Blue<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For this option, I\u2019m going to change my Foreground color chip to a bright red (#ff0305). Now, I\u2019m going to ensure that my text layer (COLOR) is active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I click on the Create a new fill or adjustment layer icon (looks like a circle that is half white and half black) in the Layers Panel and choose Solid Color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PSE displays the Color Picker dialog box and I just click OK (the red color was already selected). PSE creates the solid red fill layer (Color Fill 1) and I clip this layer to my text:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Red<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now, I select the Rectangular Marque tool:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Marquee<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I click on the New Selection icon, set Feather to zero, the Aspect to Fixed Size, the width (W) to 12 inches and the height (H) to 4 inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: If you\u2019re using a different sized word than mine, feel free to create a selection rectangle that covers the top half of your word simply by using an Aspect set to Normal (no height or width measurement required).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as I click on the document the selection box is displayed:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Selection<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I want the top half of the word to remain blue. So, all I have to do is click and drag the selection upward until the bottom of the selection box is perfectly aligned with the horizontal guide:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Center<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I zoomed in really close so I could ensure that the marching ants appear to have replaced the horizontal guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I wanted the bottom half of the word to remain blue I would have positioned the top of the selection box so it was perfectly aligned with the horizontal guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, in the Layers Panel I click on the layer mask of the solid fill layer to activate the mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: If your solid fill layer does not have a layer mask, click on the Add layer mask icon in the Layers Panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I reset my Foreground\/Background color chips to the defaults (press D). I then press Alt+Backspace and PSE fills the selection within the layer mask with black. And this is what my layer mask looks like in the Layers Panel:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Layer<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Remember, when using a layer mask white reveals and black conceals. So that means at this point the top half of the red fill over my word should be hidden. I cancel the selection (Ctrl+D or Esc) and here\u2019s the bi-color word:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Blue<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Again, I will link the solid fill layer with the text layer. As I said earlier, this is particularly important because of the color split.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are these results any different from what I accomplished in the clipping method? Other than the colors\u2026no difference at all. Did it take longer? In my opinion that\u2019s a resounding YES!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me this seems a lot more complicated than just creating a rectangular shape that covers either the top or bottom half of the word and clipping that rectangle to the text layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there a distinct advantage to using this method\u2026none that comes to mind immediately. Sure, I can easily go in and change the color of the solid fill. But I can equally as easily change the color of the rectangle in the clipping method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can play with both methods and let me know what you think \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you have the same \u201ccutting\u201d clipped layers, save as PNG or move layers to layout options I discussed above.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Too<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I still need to show you the Gradient Method. But this post is starting to get waaaaaaaaay longer than I anticipated. And the Gradient Method does have a lot more steps. So, rather than turning this into another in a string of long posts I\u2019m going to save that method for next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between now and then I hope you\u2019ll play around with this technique in anticipation of the next method. A little hint here\u2026the Gradient Method is my favorite \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Tips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"More<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This is another technique that works best with heavier (wider) serif or sans serif fonts. Fonts that may fall into the \u201cblock type\u201d category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do not believe this technique is well suited for script fonts. One, we generally don\u2019t want our script words to be in all uppercase. So, executing a \u201csplit\u201d with lowercase letters tends to just look \u201coff\u201d\u2026if you know what I mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Script letters usually have no gaps between them (other than perhaps between the first and second letter). This could lead to the “connecting” points remaining a single color. Perhaps not a bad thing but it still may look odd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can certainly experiment with scrip fonts if you\u2019d like. If you do, I’d recommend using a fairly chunky script font like “Chunky Retro<\/a><\/strong>“.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I highly recommend that you only \u201ccut\u201d clipped layers to just the size required if you are 100% positive you won\u2019t need the full-sized version for anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always a good idea to link any clipped layers to the object to which it is clipped. Otherwise in this case, you could move the text and lose the color split<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading this week\u2019s Tuesday Tip. Remember, if you have any suggestions or questions please don\u2019t hesitate to “Message Me<\/a><\/strong>“. Check back next week for the Gradient Color Split. Click \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to stay in touch. I hope you have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Keep<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today I have another new title tip in the ongoing titles saga \ud83d\ude09 Okay, so maybe not all that new. Bi-color titles have been around for a while. Though, I do have to admit that I don\u2019t see as many of them as in years past. So, I am a bit excited to reintroduce you to a fun way to add some extra interest to a title simply by splitting the color. And I don\u2019t mean using different colors for…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10978,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"0","landing_page":"","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tuesday-tip-day"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t