How to Put a Face onto Paper Money in Photoshop

This tutorial explores the intricate process of digitally placing a portrait onto a paper money template. It delves into transforming standard photographs into a style reminiscent of traditional steel engravings.

Viewers will discover techniques to convert a photo into a realistic engraved look, seamlessly blend it with a currency design, and add customized text, enhancing the illusion of authenticity and detail.

Watch the Video

Replicating Engraving Effects for Photo Manipulation

Creating the distinctive look of an engraved portrait, often seen on currency, involves replicating a complex interplay of lines and tones. Traditional steel engraving relies on intricate patterns of parallel and cross-hatched lines to build up shading and detail, giving images a unique texture and depth.

In digital photo manipulation, this effect is achieved by generating specific line patterns and applying them strategically over an image. Key steps include desaturating the source image, adjusting its contrast, and then overlaying it with a patterned texture that simulates the fine lines of an engraving. Proper blending modes and tonal adjustments are crucial for integrating the portrait seamlessly into its new background.

The goal is not just to place an image but to transform its visual characteristics to match the aesthetic of the medium it's being placed upon. This technique extends beyond currency, offering creative possibilities for vintage-style graphics, certificate designs, or artistic photo treatments.

Practical Tips for Engraved Portrait Effects

• Prepare your photo by desaturating it (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + U) and applying auto-tone (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + L) to establish an optimal base for the engraving effect.
• Generate the core engraving texture by creating a new document filled with 50% grey, then applying the Halftone Pattern (Line) and Wave filters.
• Utilize Overlay and Linear Burn blend modes for the pattern and composite image, respectively, to achieve realistic integration into the currency template.
• Create a precise layer mask from a channel selection to accurately fit the portrait into the designated shape on the template.
• Refine the portrait's dark areas using an Exposure adjustment layer with Gamma Correction, clipped to the face layer, to ensure its tones harmonize with the money's background.

More Tutorials about Engraving and Face Manipulation

Explore additional techniques for creating engraved effects and manipulating faces in Photoshop with these related resources.

How to Paint Your Face in Photoshop

This exciting tutorial by PHLEARN dives into the world of digital face paint. Learn how to utilize a custom face paint brush (potentially included in the video) and Adjustment Layers to create vibrant and realistic designs, perfect for both adorable Halloween looks or spooky transformations. The video will guide you through the process, allowing you to unleash your creativity and design unique face paint effects for any project. Watch tutorial

This magic texture creates an engraved money effect in Photoshop

Discover how to create a unique engraved money effect in Photoshop with this simple yet powerful texture. In this tutorial by Texturelabs, you'll learn how to transform your photos and artwork to achieve an authentic dollar-bill style treatment. The guide starts with the basics of setting up the texture, ensuring you have the foundation for the effect. Then, it dives into various techniques to refine your image, giving it that classic engraved illustrated look. Whether you’re working on a creat

How to Paint Graphics onto a Face in Photoshop

This video, by Marty from Blue Lightning TV, will teach you a technique for painting images onto someone's face in Photoshop. The introduction walks you through the initial setup: opening the images you'll be working with, including a portrait and the graphic you want to paint onto the face. Then, it covers how to convert your subject into a smart object and create a duplicate layer. The next steps involve blurring the duplicated layer and converting it to black and white. After that, you'll le

Money Style Lettering in Photoshop

In this tutorial video by Noyse Works, you'll learn how to create an intricate, engraved text effect similar to those found on currency and certificates. The instructor effectively demonstrates the use of various stock images and Photoshop tools to achieve a detailed and realistic design. The tutorial is thorough and includes useful tips for refining selections and enhancing the overall look with gradient and bevel effects. All files needed to follow this tutorial are provided by the author. P

Thanks for Reading — Want More Like This?

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter for more expert tutorials and insights delivered directly to your inbox.