Creating Paper Folds and Creases

Adding a crease to the paper texture

Create a new layer and name it CREASE. Select the CREASE layer and with the POLYGONAL LASSO tool, make a selection like the one you can see on the image below. Go to SELECT > FEATHER and set it to 0.5.

Choose #B7B7B7 as FOREGROUND COLOR, and with the gradient tool paint a gradient like the image below shows. Set the CREASE layer OPACITY to something like 40%. Don’t deselect your selection. If you accidentally deselected it, then go to the menubar and choose: SELECT > RESELECT and the selection will reappear. Look at the image on the right to see how the gradient looks on the paper texture.

With the CREASE layer still selected, select the MARQUEE tool. Now go to the menubar and choose: SELECT > INVERSE to invert the selection.

With the keyboard arrows, nudge the selection 2 pixels up and 2 pixels left and apply the same gradient you’ve just have used in the previous step. Check the image below to see how things are done.

We applied a 2 pixel nudge in both up and left directions just to create an almost invisible gap between the two gradients. This gap gives the illusion of a crease. Creases are not blade sharp. The thickness of the paper usually gives the crease a little relief.

And that’s all. The following image should match the paper texture you created with this tutorial.

This new crease we added should project a different shadow on the left side of the paper texture. Since we’ve previously created the shadows, then you should correct this by selecting that portion of the shadow and nudging it some pixels down, until it looks like the image above.

So, as you can see, it all went into creating shadows and shades to give the illusion of a folded paper. Using these techniques you can create many other kinds of paper folds. Just use your imagination and your Photoshop expertise.

If you liked (or didn’t) this tutorial or have any comments/questions, please leave a comment below. Thanks!

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