How to Create a New Image in Photoshop: A Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Introduction

Adobe Photoshop is the gold standard for image editing, graphic design, and digital artistry. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned designer, creating a new image or document is often the first step in any creative project. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a new image in Photoshop, explain every option you might encounter, and show you real-world examples for applying what you learn.

What is Adobe Photoshop?

Photoshop is a powerful graphics editing software developed by Adobe. It allows users to create and manipulate images, digital paintings, web assets, and more. Whether you're editing photos, creating designs, or developing web mockups, Photoshop has the tools you need.

System Requirements for Photoshop

Before you begin, ensure your system meets Photoshop’s requirements. As of the latest release:

OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) or macOS 10.15 and later
RAM: At least 8 GB (16 GB recommended)
Hard Disk Space: 4 GB for installation
GPU: GPU with DirectX 12 support (Windows) or Metal (macOS)
Display: 1280x800 resolution or higher

Launching Photoshop for the First Time

After installation, launch Photoshop. The splash screen loads, followed by the Home screen, where you can choose to open a recent file or create a new one. Click on "Create New..." to begin the process of creating your first image.

Understanding the Home Screen Interface

The Home screen includes:

Recent Files: Shows files you’ve worked on recently.
Presets: Quick access to standard document types.
Learning Section: Links to tutorials and tips.
"Create New" Button: Opens the New Document dialog box.

Creating a New Document

Click File > New or press Ctrl + N (Cmd + N on Mac).
Using the “New Document” Dialog Box

The dialog box has several preset options like:

Photo
Print
Web
Mobile
Film & Video
Art & Illustration
Preset Sizes Explained

Each category has common sizes. For example:

Web: 1920x1080 (Full HD), 1366x768
Print: A4 (210x297 mm), US Letter
Social: Instagram Post (1080x1080 px), Facebook Cover

Customizing Document Settings

You can enter custom dimensions and other parameters:

Width/Height: Set in pixels, inches, cm, etc.
Orientation: Portrait or Landscape
Artboards: Enable if you're creating multiple layouts in one file

Understanding Document Settings

Width & Height
Choose a unit type that suits your work—pixels for digital, inches or centimeters for print.
Resolution (DPI)
72 DPI for screen/web
300 DPI for high-quality print
Color Mode
RGB: Digital use (web, apps)
CMYK: For print
Grayscale: Monochrome images
Background Contents

Choose from:

White
Black
Transparent

Background Color

Advanced Options
Set the color profile and pixel aspect ratio. For most users, default settings work well.

Using Artboards

What are Artboards?

Artboards allow you to create multiple canvases in one document—ideal for UI/UX design or social media campaigns.

How to Enable Artboards

Check the “Artboards” checkbox when creating a new file.

Benefits of Using Artboards

Keep related designs in one file
Export artboards individually
Easier project management

Saving New Document Presets

If you find yourself using the same settings repeatedly, save them as a preset. Click the Save Preset icon in the New Document dialog box.

Example 1: Create a Social Media Post (Instagram)

Open Photoshop and select File > New
Set dimensions to 1080 x 1080 px
Resolution: 72 DPI
Color Mode: RGB
Background: White
Click Create

Add a background gradient, import a logo, and write text using the Text Tool (T). Use Layer Styles to apply shadows and strokes.

Example 2: Create a Business Card Layout

Choose Print > US Business Card
Set dimensions to 3.5 x 2 inches
Add 0.125-inch bleed on each side
Set resolution to 300 DPI
Color Mode: CMYK

Design using shapes, text, and imported images. Use guides to maintain alignment.

Read: How to Save Photoshop File for Print

Understanding Layers in Your New Document

Each new object (text, image, shape) appears as a separate layer in the Layers panel. Layers can be reordered, grouped, or adjusted for opacity and blending modes.

Importing Images or Elements

Use File > Place Embedded to insert images. Adjust them using the Transform Tool (Ctrl+T) and resize while holding Shift to keep proportions.

Using Brushes and Text

Select the Brush Tool (B) for freehand painting. The Text Tool (T) allows you to add editable typography. Customize fonts, colors, and spacing in the top toolbar.

Working with Shapes and Vector Elements

Use the Rectangle Tool (U) and other vector tools to draw scalable shapes. You can apply fills, strokes, and gradients.

Using Guides, Grids, and Rulers

Turn on rulers (Ctrl+R) and drag guides onto your canvas. Go to View > Show > Grid to see a helpful grid for alignment.

Zooming and Navigating Your Document

Use Ctrl + or Ctrl - to zoom in/out. Hold the Spacebar to pan the canvas with the Hand Tool.

Saving and Exporting Your Work

PSD retains layers and editability
JPEG is good for final images (flattened)
PNG preserves transparency
Use File > Export > Export As...

Using Smart Objects

Convert elements to Smart Objects to preserve quality during transformations and allow non-destructive editing.

Undo, History, and Snapshots

Use Ctrl+Z to undo. The History Panel lets you jump to earlier states. Snapshots allow you to save specific versions.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Creating and Navigating Documents

Ctrl+N: New file
Ctrl+S: Save
Ctrl+Shift+S: Save As
Ctrl+Z: Undo
Ctrl+T: Transform
V: Move Tool
T: Text Tool

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using wrong color mode (e.g., CMYK for web)
Forgetting to set resolution before designing
Not saving in PSD format
Ignoring bleed margins for print

Tips for Organizing Your Project

Use Layer Groups
Name your layers properly
Use Color Labels for grouping
Keep backup PSD files

Creating a Template for Future Use

Design your layout, remove specific content, and save it as a template PSD for future reuse. This is especially useful for social media posts or flyer designs.

Conclusion and Final Tips

Creating a new image in Photoshop is just the beginning of what’s possible. From setting up the document to designing with layers and exporting your final work, each step contributes to a smooth creative process. Mastering these basics builds a strong foundation for more advanced work in digital design, photo manipulation, and visual storytelling.

Pro Tip: Save often, experiment freely, and don’t be afraid to explore different tools and settings.

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