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- Creating a Google Business Profile
By Emily Steel, Marketing Manager at Omega High Impact Print Solutions In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any business looking to thrive. One of the fundamental steps in establishing your online presence is creating a Google Business Profile. Whether you run a local bakery, a small consultancy, or a booming e-commerce empire, a Google Business Profile can help you connect with potential customers and stand out in local search results. In this blog, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a basic Google Business Profile, ensuring that your business is easily discoverable by people in your area and beyond. Let's get started! Step 1 Go to business.google.com/create. Start typing your business name in the search field to see if a business profile was already created. If it was, you can request access to the page from the current owner. If a business profile does not already exist, click the “Add your business to Google” link. Enter your business name as you would like it to appear on Google. Then start typing your business category. Select the most appropriate category. You will be able to change or add an additional category later. Step 2 If you have a physical location that you would like to appear on Google Maps, select yes. If you are an online business or do not want your business to appear on Google Maps, select no. Step 3 If you provide services to a local area(s), you can add select areas by typing the names and selecting from the options that appear. Note: you can be specific or broad with the areas you add in this field. Step 4 Select from the dropdown the country in which your business is registered and does business. Step 5 Enter your business phone number and website (optional). This is included in your business profile and is used by Google to get in contact with you about your business. Step 6 If you would like notifications from Google (activity, tips, etc.), select yes. Otherwise, select no. Enter your business’ mailing address. This will not be shown to the public. Select how you would like Google to verify your business: via phone or a video call to show your office. Add the services that you offer customers. Google autogenerates suggestions. However, you can add your own by clicking Add custom service. Step 7 If you have operating hours that you would like to appear on your Google profile, select the slider next to the appropriate day of the week and enter your open and close times. Step 8 If you would like customers to be able to message you through Google, leave the Accept Messages option turned on. Otherwise, click the slider to the off position. Step 9 Add a business description with keywords that explains who you business is, what it does, and who it serves. Step 10 Add photos of your business that show your products and/or services. These will appear on your Google profile in search results. Step 11 If you would like to immediately start advertising your business on Google, select Start Now. Otherwise, select Skip. When you search for your business on Google, it will show a blue check icon that says You Manage this Business Profile. Step 12 Click your Google result page and it will show a business profile card with the information and images that you uploaded. Click edit your business information to quickly edit the information that appears on this card. Step 13 Click Manage your Business Profile to edit more aspects of your business profile, such as adding the ability to book appointments, adding products, get a Google review link, etc. It may take Google a couple of days to approve your profile and uploaded images. You will get a notification when things are approved. However, check back regularly to make sure everything has been approved and if there is an issue, you can contact Google’s business support if you believe there was a mistake. With your newly created Google Business Profile, you've taken a significant step toward boosting your online visibility and attracting more customers. Remember that your profile is not a one-and-done task; it requires regular updates and monitoring to keep it fresh and relevant. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews, post engaging content, and respond promptly to inquiries. By maintaining an active and accurate Google Business Profile, you'll not only enhance your online reputation but also increase your chances of reaching your target audience and growing your business. how to create google business profile
- Publishing a Document Online
By Jamie Cloak, Marketing Director at Omega High Impact Print Solutions Taking your project into a published digital landscape may seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of tools out there to achieve this. In this tutorial, we will explain the easiest way to publish your document online, via InDesign, as long as you have an Adobe subscription. This step-by-step tutorial is so simple, you won’t believe you didn’t know about this awesome feature sooner! Ok, let’s do it! The first step is to finalize your InDesign document. Ensure spelling, grammar, imagery, etc. are set as this process is simple and moves so fast – you won’t believe you’ve completed it! Select File > Publish Online On the pop-up window, you will view 3 tabs: General, Advanced, and Analytics. In this tutorial, we will explore all fields to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the available features. General: For this exercise, we selected the radio button for Publish New Document as this file was just created. However, a great feature Adobe offers is the option to update an existing document. Title : Enter the name of the finalized document. Keep in mind, this will be displayed as the browser title of the published document. Description : Input the description of the online document. This description will be visible on any social media forums so ensure it’s a solid representation of your content. Pages and Export As : Select to export All or a Range of pages from your finalized document and determine if you want single files or spreads. For this exercise, we selected “single”. Allow viewers to download the document as a PDF (Print) : Only select this option if you are offering viewers the ability to download your file. Hide the Share and Embed options in the published document : Select this if you’re looking to hide the Share and Embed options on your published file. Allow viewers to Search and Copy text in the published document : Starting with InDesign 18.4 and later, this is a neat default feature where viewers have the ability to search and copy text from your published file. Something to keep in mind – while the search function is available on any device, viewers are only able to copy your text from the publish file on a laptop or desktop. Advanced: Cover Thumbnail: On the Advanced page, you’re able to determine the Cover Thumbnail image for social media posts by selecting a page in your document or uploading an image from your computer. Image Settings: for this exercise, we left the default settings as they are appropriate for our project, but you have the ability to adjust: · Format · Resolution · JPEG Image Quality · GIF Options Palette Download PDF Settings · Select your desired PDF Preset Analytics: Link Google Analytics: Starting with InDesign 19.0, you’re now able to link Google Analytics with your published file. To do this, you need to generate a Measurement ID in your Google Analytics account and attach it to the published document. Please note, Adobe will not receive any information from your GA Account, this is only to track the behaviors of your viewers. Cookie Banner: InDesign offers the option of enabling a cookie banner on your document. This text can be customized (limited to 100 words) but should mirror your cookie notice requirements. If this is enabled, and accepted by your viewers, analytics will display in GA and will only reflect information from your viewers who accepted the cookie banner notice from your published document. Keep in mind, notice requirements may vary based on your location. Once you have finalized all your settings, simply click Publish and you’re DONE! So simple – you almost can’t believe it, right? From the success message pop-up, you can view your document online or copy the URL for additional use, share to social channels and view your Published Online Dashboard. When clicking on “Published Online Dashboard”, you will find all of your published documents, along with analytics for both. Success Message: Publish Online Dashboard View: This feature is so easy to use, we hope you’re able to utilize this new skill in your work and personal lives. Have fun, create new content and share it with the world to see!
- Creating a Collaborative Post on Instagram
By Ava Hoch, Marketing Associate at Omega High Impact Print Solutions Collaborative posts on Instagram can be a valuable strategy for sharing content across multiple Instagram pages and boosting engagement. This approach involves two or more Instagram users working together to create and share content that is relevant to their respective audiences. Who you can invite to collaborate follows your account's privacy settings: Public accounts: Public accounts have the ability to invite both public and private accounts to collaborate. Private accounts: Private accounts may extend invitations to collaborate with both private and public accounts, provided that the invited account follows the private account. Should a public account accept an invitation from a private account, the collaborative post will be made public through the public collaborator. Private accounts will receive comprehensive information about this process when they invite a collaborator. Once they confirm their understanding of who can view collaborative posts, they can invite any of their followers to participate in future collaborations. Creating a collaborative post on Instagram is beneficial because it helps reach a wider audience, boost engagement, and cross-promote. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a collaborative post on Instagram. Let's get started! Step 1 Create a post as usual on Instagram. Step 2 Tap on "Tag people". Step 3 Tap on "Invite collaborators". Step 4 Search and choose a person or page you want to invite as a collaborator. *If the person you tag as a collaborator accepts, your post will be shared to their followers and they’ll be shown as an author of the post* Step 5 When finished inviting collaborators and finalizing the post, tap "Done" and "Share" the post. *Note that the invited account can remove themselves at any time, and the creator of the original post can remove the collaborator at any time.* Have fun collaborating with your friends or with brands you work with!
- Creating an Effective Headline for Your Blog
By Emily Steel, Marketing Manager at Omega High Impact Print Solutions In the vast ocean of online content, your blog's headline is the lighthouse that guides readers to your content. Crafting an effective headline is critical for bloggers, as it can make the difference between your post being ignored or gaining the attention it deserves. Let's see how you can create a compelling blog headline that will captivate your audience and drive traffic to your website. Let's begin! Step 1 Create your preliminary headline and copy to the clipboard. Step 2 Go to www.capitalizemytitle.com/headline-analyzer/, paste your headline into the "Enter Headline" bar, and click "Analyze." Step 3 Examine your Overall Headline Score, Readability Score, SEO Score, and Sentiment score. Your Overall Headline score is composed of the latter three categories. Your Readability Score is based on how easily your headline can be interpreted and understood by readers. This is determined using the Flesch-Kincaid Reading-Ease test, a widely accepted method for determining the readability of written materials, with higher scores connotating easier reads and lower scores connotating harder reads. You should aim for a score of between 60-100, depending on your target readers. Try using more common words if your readability score is too low. Your SEO Score is based on a variety of factors, including word count, character count, the pixel width of your headline when appearing in search results, as well as the use of power words and keywords. Your Sentiment Score is based on the amount emotionally charged words in your headline. These can be words with both positive and negative connotations, however negative words tend to work better. Some examples of positive words include: Benefit Laughed Pretty Favorite Kind Some examples of negative words include: Harm Heartbroken Ugly Troubling Angry Step 4 After you've read through your individual scores and learned where your headline may be lacking, go back and rewrite it to try to boost your score. Ways you may be able to boost your score include: Using more common words Minimizing weasel words (Words that don't help convey your message, i.e., may, possibly, virtually, etc.) Adjusting word and character count Using more power words (Words that grab the readers attention, i.e., genius, breathtaking, beautiful, etc.) Incorporating keywords with low-competition and high search volumes Incorporating more positive and/or negative words Step 5 You will more than likely need to rewrite your headline several times to get an optimal score. Don't worry if you don't hit 100, just aim to get as high a score as possible! Crafting effective blog headlines is a blend of creativity and data-driven decision-making. The Headline Analyzer Tool is a valuable asset in your blogging toolkit, helping you fine-tune your headlines for maximum impact. By understanding your audience, refining your headlines, and iteratively using the tool's feedback, you can create headlines that captivate readers and drive traffic to your blog, ultimately enhancing your overall blogging success.
- How to Import Fonts to Canva
By Gracie Steel, Digital Marketing Intern at Omega High Impact Print Solutions. The ideal font isn’t just letters; it’s personality, emotion, and impact. That’s why a good font is essential to a captivating digital design. While Canva offers many default typefaces to choose from, sometimes you can’t quite find the right one to take your graphic to the next level. The good news? Canva allows you to import your own fonts. In this article, we’ll outline the necessary steps to ensure you have the perfect font, every single time. Let's begin! Step 1 First things first, there’s some important information worth mentioning. You can only upload fonts to Canva with Canva Pro, Canva for Teams, Canva for Education, and Canva for Non-Profit. You will not be able to upload fonts using the free version. Plan options and pricing are available on Canva’s website . If you’re feeling apprehensive, consider using the 30-day free trial period. Please also keep in mind that you can upload a maximum of 500 fonts. Fonts must be licensed for embedding and should be formatted as an OTF, TTF, or WOFF. Otherwise, your font will not upload correctly. Step 2 It’s time to choose your font. Our favorite font websites include DaFont, Google Fonts, and 1001FreeFonts. In this guide, we will be demonstrating how to upload a font using DaFont . Navigate to the DaFont website. Select a CATEGORY at the top of the homepage to filter through fonts. Step 3 Once you’ve found the font you like, click on DOWNLOAD . Step 4 Once your download is complete, open Canva. On the homepage side panel, select BRAND. Step 5 Next to Brand Kit, click ADD NEW . Make sure to title your brand kit. Or, select a preexisting Brand Kit to customize. Step 6 Under the Font category, choose ADD NEW > UPLOAD A FONT. Step 7 Click on UPLOAD FILES or drag and drop your download. Step 8 Locate your download and select OPEN. Step 9 Your font is ready for use! Select CREATE A DESIGN at the top right-hand corner, or edit a preexisting design. Step 10 Your uploaded font will now appear under the text dropdown menu. A great font is key to an even better design. With this Canva hack, you'll never have to settle for a font again. With an unlimited amount of fonts at your disposal, you possess the power to evoke emotions and convey your message precisely as intended. Disclaimer: This content is intended for personal use only.
- Optimize Your Pins on Pinterest Using Keywords
By Gracie Steel, Digital Marketing Assistant at Omega High Impact Print Solutions. Pinterest is a leading social media platform for business growth. This is because it’s more like a search engine, so high-quality pins consistently resurface instead of getting a first-class ticket to the content graveyard. That’s why it’s imperative to streamline your Pinterest SEO strategy. Optimizing pins with keywords is one effective way to ensure your content is appearing in the search results of your target audience. In this blog post, we will show you how to create pins with relevant keywords so you can increase traffic to your page, drive sales, and expand your community. Let's get started! Step 1 Be sure to include your SEO keywords in the title of your pin. You can enter up to 100 characters for your title, but only the first 30 characters will appear in user feeds. Design your title in a way that gives context to your image. ( Bonus tip: Consider including keywords on the text overlay of your image. This is not confirmed to affect Pinterest's algorithm, but it sure will capture the attention of users). Step 2 The next place to include keywords is in your pin’s description. You may use up to 500 characters for your pin’s copy, but keep in mind that only 50-60 characters will be visible to users. Make sure to add any pertinent information here. Step 3 Another subtle yet effective keyword tactic is to customize the destination URL. This will further inform Pinterest to whom to show your pins. We recommend a URL shortener and link management platform like Bitly . Customize your backlink with even more keywords. Step 4 This step is completely optional. If you’re not sure about what target keywords to add to your pin, there is a simple solution to find inspiration. Simply go to the search bar on your Pinterest homepage and type in a general term related to your pin. The app will show you a selection of recommended keywords sorted by popularity. By following the steps outlined above, you can unlock the full potential of your Pinterest presence like never before. Start experimenting with keywords, analyzing KPIs, and refining your SEO strategy. Happy pinning, and may your boards be full of success!
- Using Images to Customize Color Schemes on Canva
By Emily Steel, Marketing Manager at Omega High Impact Print Solutions Canva is a versatile graphic design tool that allows you to create stunning visuals. One of its handy features is the ability to change colors easily across your project using the "Apply Colors to Page" tool. In this guide, we'll show you how to create custom color schemes on Canva with this convenient feature. Let's dive in! Step 1 Log in to your Canva account if you haven't already. Create a new project or open an existing one that you want to modify. Step 2 Choose and add the image or picture whose colors you want to apply to your project. You can upload an image of your own using the “Upload” tool, or select an image from Canva’s own library. Step 3 Be sure that any elements whose colors you wish to change are “Color-editable” elements. You can determine this by clicking on the element. If a color option box appears in the white bar above your project, then the element’s color can be changed. Step 4 Right-click on the image you want to use as the source for new colors. A menu will appear. At the bottom you will find the option “Apply colors to page.” Select this. Step 5 All color-editable elements in your project will change colors to match your sample image. You can randomize these colors to your liking by repeating the above step. Step 6 Feel free to fine tune your color scheme by manually changing the color of certain elements. These colors will be saved and can be located at the top of the color menu upon opening it. Step 7 After making all the necessary color changes, review your project to ensure you're satisfied with the new color scheme. If everything looks good, click the "Save" or "Download" button to save your updated project. Changing colors in your Canva project using the "Apply Colors to Page" tool is a quick and easy way to give your visuals a fresh look. Whether you're working on a presentation, social media graphics, or any other design project, Canva simplifies the color adjustment process. With this guide, you can confidently update the colors in your Canva project to create eye-catching and visually appealing designs.
- Discover TikTok Trends Using Creative Center
By Gracie Steel, Digital Marketing Assistant at Omega High Impact Print Solutions With an extensive user base and an algorithm designed to make videos go viral in an instant, TikTok is a leading social media platform for digital marketers, influencers, and brands alike. However, becoming the next viral sensation is no easy feat. That’s why we created a guide to navigate TikTok’s Creative Center- a free and valuable resource that helps you discover trending creators, soundtracks, hashtags, ads, and more. This way, you can stay ahead of the curve on this fast-paced platform, and join the ranks of trendsetters in a snap! Let's get started! Step 1 In your browser, search for TikTok Creative Center and begin by setting up your account. You don’t need anything fancy- just an email address and password. Step 2 On the top left hand corner of the webpage, locate the INSPIRATION tab . Underneath, you’ll see subsections including Top Ads Dashboard, Top Ads Spotlight, Keyword Insights, Creative Insights, and Top Products. We will review how to use these tools to inspire your TikTok ad strategy . First, go to Top Ads Dashboard and/or Top Ads Spotlight (Both include the same information.) Filter through high-performing ads by country, language, industry, objectives, date, format, and likes. Select SEE ANALYTICS to gain valuable insights on the ad’s attributes and performance. Here you can evaluate the ad based on: CTR (Click-through-rate) CVR (Conversion rate) Clicks Conversion Interactivity Step 3 Next, go to INSPIRATION > KEYWORD INSIGHTS. Identify trending keywords that have been extracted from top-performing TikTok videos. Either search by keywords specifically or filter by country, industry, objective, keyword type, and date. Consider using these keywords in your content to stay relevant in an ever-changing digital landscape. Step 4 Under INSPIRATION, go to CREATIVE INSIGHTS. See how high-performing ads increase engagement through creative patterns. Be sure to explore the BEST PRACTICES tab to learn how you can optimize your content. Step 5 Lastly, go to INSPIRATION > TOP PRODUCTS. You can sort through popular products by category. Integrate trending products into your own content to influence your audience’s purchasing decisions. Step 6 Maneuver to the TRENDS category at the top left hand corner of the homepage. Here you can find out what hashtags, songs, creators, and videos are performing well on TikTok so you can maximize discoverability and engagement on your account. Go to HASHTAGS. Use this information to your advantage. For example, if you’re in the beauty and personal care industry, hashtag haircare is trending with 6,000 posts and nearly 92 million views in the past seven days. Consider centering your next TikTok around this topic to boost traction. Step 7 Go to TRENDS > SONGS. Leveraging trending music increases your chances of user engagement, including comments, stitches, duets, and collaborations. Click on the BREAKOUT tab to view soundtracks that have boomed rapidly. Using sounds that TikTok signals as interesting and engaging can help you reach a wider audience. Step 8 Find the CREATORS tab under TRENDS. Sort through TikTok’s popular creators. This tool will show you the total likes and followers of each creator. Take a moment to explore their content, and see what works and what doesn’t. This can save time and effort when experimenting with different approaches. Step 9 Finally, go to TRENDS > VIDEOS. Remember when whipped coffee, Adult Swim, and the Renegade dance ran your “For You” page in 2020? In this section, you can sort through TikTok trends and challenges. Brainstorm ways you can apply these to your content. Staying up-to-date on TikTok trends is crucial for growth and relevance. And with TikTok's Creative Center in your toolkit, you can easily unlock the secrets to TikTok success. Use this resource as your ally, integrating trending products, sounds, hashtags, keywords, and more into your content creation process. You'll be capturing the attention of millions in no time!
- How to Create An Etsy Explore Video
By Ava Hoch, Marketing Associate at Omega High Impact Print Solutions Creating an Etsy Explore video can be a great way to showcase your products and engage with potential customers on the platform. Etsy Explore videos are short, engaging clips that highlight your products and give viewers a glimpse of what you have to offer. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to an Etsy Explore video. Let's get started! How to create an Etsy Explore video: Step 1 Begin by downloading the Etsy Seller app. Step 2 Open the Etsy Seller app and tap on “More” in the bottom right corner. Step 3 Scroll down to the “Marketing” section and tap “Explore”. Step 4 Tap “+Create” in the top right corner. Step 5 Tap "Add Video" and record or upload a video that represents your store or products. You can edit your video after recording or choosing one. Step 6 Optional editing of the video can be done. Adjusting the video length or appearance and adding text are available in Etsy's in-app editor. Step 7 An optional voiceover of the video can be done. Step 8 Tap on "Post type". Step 9 Choose a video type that relates to the video. Then tap "Save". Step 10 Add shop listings. (optional) Step 11 Add a caption and hashtags explaining your video. Step 12 Tap "Preview" to watch what the video will look like on Etsy's Explore page. Step 13 If you are satisfied with the preview, tap "Submit post". Extra Tips: Be authentic, tell your story, and share behind the scenes of your Etsy shop/products!
- How to Add Alt Text on Instagram
By Ava Hoch, Marketing Associate at Omega High Impact Print Solutions Alt text serves a crucial role in enhancing accessibility and optimizing SEO. It enables screen readers to articulate image descriptions to users with visual impairments and facilitates content discovery by search engines and search features, based on the provided description. Alt text may appear in situations where an image loads slowly, when using a browser catering to the visually impaired, or when utilizing a screen reader to provide image descriptions. Instagram automatically generates alt text for your posts; however, it frequently falls short of conveying the complete context and description of the image within a post. You have the option to craft your own alt text to provide a more precise and comprehensive description of your photo. On Instagram, the goal of alt text is to provide a precise description of the image you're sharing. Optimal alt text should encapsulate both the image's context and its specific description, ensuring accuracy. Let's get started! How to add alt text when posting an Instagram photo: Step 1 Begin by creating a new post on Instagram. Once you've captured or selected your photo and completed all desired edits, proceed by tapping "Next." Next, navigate to the "Advanced Settings" option. *If you manage multiple accounts, you might need to scroll down to the bottom of the screen to access the "Advanced Settings" option. Step 2 Under Accessibility at the bottom, tap on "Write Alt Text". Step 3 Write your alt text and tap "Done". Step 4 Tap “Share” in the top right corner to post. How to add alt text to a photo already posted on Instagram: Step 1 Choose a photo you already posted on Instagram. Step 2 Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Step 3 Tap “Edit”. Step 4 Tap “Edit Alt Text”. Step 5 Write your alt text and tap "Done".
- How to Add Sounds in CapCut (2023)
By Ava Hoch, Marketing Associate at Omega High Impact Print Solutions CapCut is a popular mobile and desktop application. Keep reading to learn how to add audio in CapCut on the mobile app version. Types of Audio in CapCut: ● Music/Commercial Sounds ● Sound Effects ● Extracted Audio ● Voiceover Let's get started! How to Add Music/Commercial Sounds in CapCut: Step 1 Open CapCut and click “Create a New Project”. Step 2 Select the photo(s) or video(s) you would like to add audio. Step 3 To add a song, go to “Audio,” then select “Sounds”. Step 4 Browse the audio library by clicking on each audio label. There are “Sounds” and “Commercial” music audios. Commercial audios are not copyrighted. Step 5 Click the “Download” icon on the sound you want to use. Step 6 Add your sound of choice by clicking the “+” to add the audio to your project. How to Add Sound Effects in CapCut: Step 1 Open CapCut and click “Create a New Project”. Step 2 Select the photo(s) or video(s) you would like to add audio. Step 3 To add sound effects, go to “Audio,” then select “Effects”. Step 4 Browse the sound effects library by clicking on each audio label. Step 5 Click the “Download” icon on the sound effect you want to use. Step 6 Use the search bar to search for specific sound effects. Step 7 Add your sound of choice by clicking the “+” to add the sound effect to your project. How to Add Extracted Audio in CapCut: Step 1 Open CapCut and click “Create a New Project”. Step 2 Select the photo(s) or video(s) you would like to add audio. Step 3 To add extracted audio from another source, go to “Extracted” to import the file of your choice of audio. Step 4 Click the circle in the right-hand corner of the video you want to extract audio then click “Import sound only”. How to Add a Voiceover in CapCut: Step 1 Open CapCut and click “Create a New Project”. Step 2 Select the photo(s) or video(s) you would like to add audio. Step 3 To add a voiceover, go to “Audio,” then select “Voiceover”. Step 4 Tap or press the microphone icon to record. Step 5 Click voice effects next to the microphone icon to browse effects that warp or change the voiceover recording sound. Step 6 Click the checkmark in the bottom right-hand corner to add the voiceover recording to your project. EXTRA: Audio can be edited on CapCut to your liking. Audio can be split, shortened, sped up, or volume can be altered. An optional copyright check can also be done, this is a great tool for businesses.
- Creating a Custom Brush in Adobe Photoshop (2023)
By Emily Steel, Marketing Manager at Omega High Impact Print Solutions In Adobe Photoshop, creating custom brushes can truly elevate your digital artwork. Doing this allows you to add intricate details, textures, and effects to your designs with ease. In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you the simple steps it takes to create your own custom brushes in Photoshop, enabling you to bring your artistic vision to life. Let's get started! Step 1 After you open Photoshop, click FILE, then NEW, and create a 500 by 500 px. file with 300 dpi. Step 2 You should now see a blank white canvas. Select the BRUSH TOOL in your Tool Bar. Then, by clicking and holding down your mouse on the canvas, draw the design you would like to use for your custom brush. You can also use the PEN TOOL, LASSO TOOL or SHAPE TOOL depending on the form you are aiming to create. Step 3 After you are satisfied with the shape of your brush, click EDIT>DEFINE BRUSH PRESET. Name your brush and hit OK. Step 4 Now it's time to test your new brush. After naming it, it should be automatically selected as your current tool. Select LAYER>NEW FILL LAYER>SOLID COLOR. Click OK, select whatever color you'd like to use for your background (Just make sure it contrasts your brush color) and click OK again. Step 5 Click the LAYERS BUTTON, which appears as a "+" within a square at the bottom right of your screen to create a blank layer. Click this layer to select it. Step 6 Select BRUSH SETTINGS located in the upper right of your screen. Adjust the various settings to achieve your desired effect. Step 7 Ensure the BRUSH TOOL is selected, then click and hold to test out your new custom brush. Step 8 You can return to BRUSH SETTINGS to experiment with your custom brush. If you select the BRUSH PRESET PICKER in the upper left of your screen, you will find that your new brush has been saved in the drop down menu for future use. (END) You can make your custom brush as simple or as complicated as you like. You can even use external graphics if you copy and paste them onto your canvas. Either way, making specialized brushes is quite easy once you've got the hang of it!