HOW TO: Create an Avatar, Banner and Forum tags in Paint.Net

Depending on where you'd like to use your signature/banner will depend on the size of your design. Some forum banners/signatures will explain to you exactly what their size limits are so you should keep an eye it for that. Most scrapbooking banners are about 700 x 200, somce forum banners are about 600 x 250. For this tutorial, however, I am creating a banner/avatar that will be useable in CafeMom.

In CafeMom, there are two different sizes for forums and profiles. Profile signatures are 440 widths but can be found in almost any height. Fourm signatures are about 500 widths and can be any height but normally stop at about or around 500.

Avatars are also utilized in most forums, groups or websites and are sized about 150 x 150 or 200 x 200. Banners are normally 600 x 250.

To start, create the appropriate size canvas for your particular need. Since I will be creating a forum set (Avatar, Banner and Forum tag), I will create three different canvases in the three different sizes for my three different creations.

Follow the visual instructions seen below to create your three different canvases.

Create each canvas and then save under a filename. Add your choice of elements, papers and tube (or not) when designing each one. My three are below (tube is by Jose Cano and kit by ButterflyDsign) .

My Avatar:

As you can tell by my avatar, it is the smaller of the three and has very few elements, outside of the tube (making four elements). A simple initial in the background seals the deal. Never forget to add your copyright information when you have finished the overall look of your avatar. Just the name of the designer and your license will suffice.

My Banner:

As you can tell with my banner, there is a higher useage of elements, along with my tube and border. The difference with the copyright here is that you must add not only the tube designer and license number, but the website of the designer as well. Your name, for some designers, is optional so read the TOUs of each designer before adding your name and copyright.

My Forum tag:

This tag is a little more freeformed and I have created it a bit tighter since it is going to be on a profile and the widgets on CafeMom are restricted by size. How you place your elements and tube is all up to you.

Each element or tube is on a separate layer so that you will have to watch where you place them in your layers box. To learn about your layers box, go HERE. Having each element and your tube on a separate layer means a greater versatiliy for moving round and your drop shadow.

And now you have created your first forum set!