Freebie: Downloadable Graphics for Blog Layouts

Posted on February 12, 2013 by vmacandcheese

A little freebie to share with you guys today! I’ve gotten several emails asking me how to create hand drawn arrows in blog post collages. The truth is, for a long time, I used some arrows I had drawn on a piece of paper and scanned in at a super high resolution. It worked, but it was a bit laborious. Earlier this year I finally broke down and ordered a Wacom tablet, which is how most bloggers get the handwritten elements on to their posts, whether its an arrow or actual writing. (UPDATE: I should also mention that if you have an iPad, you can download the Paper app and use your finger or a stylus to get handwritten effects!)

But, if you’re not looking to purchase another blog accessory just to draw a few arrows or write a few words, I’ve got you covered. Below is a downloadable PNG file that contains forty different arrows, shapes and words that you can use in blog posts! Get the download after the jump, along with a quick Photoshop lesson on how to use them!

40 handwritten graphics for blog layouts | via vmac+cheese

Download

This file is set up on a transparent background, with all the shapes on a single document page. To use them:

1. In Photoshop, build your collage as desired, and open the PNG file you downloaded here.

2. Using the Rectangular Marquee tool, select the area around the shape you wish to use. Then copy (ctrl+ c or cmd+c) the shape, and paste it (ctrl+v or cmd+v) onto your collage layout.

3. You can use the Move tool to resize the shape, rotate it, and place it wherever you’d like on your layout. If you’re happy with the shape being black, you’re done!

4. If you want to change the color of the shape, you’ll need to add a fill layer and a clipping mask. Once you have the shape placed on your collage, be sure the shape is selected in the layers palette. Next, go to Layer –> New Fill Layer –> Solid Color. You can name the fill layer whatever you like, just be sure to click the radio button that says “Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask.”

5. Click OK. Next, the color picker window will pop up, and you can select whatever color you want the shape to be filled with. Click OK again. The shape should now be filled with the color you selected! In order to move the shape around on your layout, you’ll need to be sure that both the shape and the fill layer are selected on the Layers palette. If you select one or the other, it won’t move!

Enjoy them!

Get more downloadable blog resources at The B Bar >>

TERMS OF USE: You can use these downloads for personal use on your blog and blog layouts. The file and any part of it may NOT be used for digital download(s) on your website, and you may NOT re-sell or re-distribute this graphic on your own website, or in any other form (PDF, book, CD, etc). However, please feel free to link back to this post if you’d like to share! Also, it goes without saying, but you may not use this artwork as part of any racist, pornographic, or otherwise patently offensive material. If you have other questions on the file terms of use, you can always contact me!

51 responses to “Freebie: Downloadable Graphics for Blog Layouts”

Alexa, on February 12, 2013 at 11:32 am said:

Such a great little tip Victoria! I’m always looking for ways to get more creative with photoshop! :)
Liz {Sequins & Stripes}, on February 12, 2013 at 11:34 am said:

Um, how thoughtful are you? Such a great idea!
Tiffany @ Savor Home, on February 12, 2013 at 12:02 pm said:

Love this!! Thank you!
Emily, on February 12, 2013 at 12:02 pm said:

Oh my goodness, thank you SO MUCH!! This is so generous and kind of you, made my day!
Jahaira H., on February 12, 2013 at 12:05 pm said:

Oh, perfect! So neat. Thanks for sharing.

~Jah

http://www.chatteringgem.com
Ailee, on February 12, 2013 at 12:09 pm said:

Love this! Thanks for sharing.
Charlotte, on February 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm said:

You are SO nice to do this, Victoria. It’s so refreshing to see a blogger give away tips + tricks to help others, as opposed to hoarding secrets. There’s enough room for everyone to be successful, and you’re always faithful to your readers and share your secrets. This is particularly inspiring to me as I’m a new blogger. Thank you!
Jenna, on February 12, 2013 at 12:36 pm said:

Love these so much!! Thank you!!
Amberly, on February 12, 2013 at 12:47 pm said:

You are too sweet!! Thanks so much for sharing Victoria!! :)
Emily, on February 12, 2013 at 12:52 pm said:

Thanks so much for this download! As a new blogger, things like this really make my day!
Lauren, on February 12, 2013 at 1:06 pm said:

Thank you so much. I’m still just learning how to put my collages together and your advise is so helpful.

You’re a star!

Lauren x
Gordon + Gold
Kelly at Smart School House, on February 12, 2013 at 1:16 pm said:

I will be using the heck out of these! Thanks so much!
Julie / Bound, on February 12, 2013 at 1:45 pm said:

This is the greatest…I don’t really want to admit how long I’ve tried to figure out how to do these arrows. No longer! Thank you :)
Steph Waung, on February 12, 2013 at 1:53 pm said:

i seriously just googled how to do this today, thanks so much! it’s really nice of you =)
Kristina, on February 12, 2013 at 2:17 pm said:

These are all so cute! Now I want one of those tablets to draw my own little doodads!

Kristina

Kristina does the Internets
Tiffany, on February 12, 2013 at 3:12 pm said:

This is so sweet of you! Thanks so much :)
Bethany Jae, on February 12, 2013 at 4:08 pm said:

This is brilliant!! Thanks a mill for sharing. You’re an absolute gem. Definitely going to use them :)
Noel Lizotte, on February 12, 2013 at 4:39 pm said:

What a great tool! Thanks for sharing!
Bridget Forney, on February 12, 2013 at 4:49 pm said:

Thank you for sharing! Also, I loved visiting each and every blog from the commenters above me – refreshing my Google Reader now! : )
Emma, on February 12, 2013 at 5:06 pm said:

Much appreciated! What a nice treat for a random Tuesday :)
Meghan, on February 12, 2013 at 5:08 pm said:

Yay! Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to try and use these.

http://happinessiscreating.com/
erica | cupcakes+coffee breaks, on February 12, 2013 at 5:54 pm said:

These are awesome! I always love your little hand-drawn elements, i’m excited to be able to do them too. Thanks for this :)
Rachelle, on February 12, 2013 at 6:39 pm said:

That’s so neat, thank you.

xo
http://pinksole.com
Jessica, on February 12, 2013 at 6:50 pm said:

You are amazing lady! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
xx
Here&Now
daisy, on February 12, 2013 at 7:30 pm said:

wow, thanks so much for sharing these! x

& Pretty Things
Melanie, on February 12, 2013 at 9:19 pm said:

Guilty! I totally asked you for these! SO excited to use these! You are the absolute best!!! xoxo
lexi, on February 12, 2013 at 9:30 pm said:

This is awesome, Victoria, thank you SO much! I just recently got a Wacom tablet and I only half know how to use it, but I do love the idea of it, haha. :)
Meghan, on February 12, 2013 at 11:59 pm said:

You are brilliant ! Thank you so much .

xo Meg

http://meghansilva.blogspot.com
Preciously Me, on February 13, 2013 at 3:02 am said:

Thanks for sharing!!!
Can’t wait to use them for my blog :)
Grace - Stripes & Sequins, on February 13, 2013 at 7:44 am said:

ummm, awesome! thank you girl!
Alison Dulaney, on February 13, 2013 at 8:37 am said:

This is awesome! Thank you!
Natalie | Natalie Dressed, on February 13, 2013 at 11:09 am said:

Um, hi. I love you. You’re the best. Thank you!
Jenna, on February 13, 2013 at 11:16 am said:

Thank you!!! I always just scrawl on my pics, but the mouse and I don’t always agree on what it should look like. ;) These will be so helpful!
Chloe Elizabeth, on February 13, 2013 at 3:01 pm said:

Very thoughtful and caring! <3
Hope, on February 13, 2013 at 9:22 pm said:

This is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing. I have recently started a blog and appreciate the tips. This is such a great idea to incorporate into the blog.

–
Hope
Lisa, on February 13, 2013 at 9:26 pm said:

Thank you for these graphics … and for the tip about the Wacom Tablet! I have a feeling it’s going to be my next Amazon splurge!
Kathy, on February 14, 2013 at 10:01 am said:

Thank you SO much! I’ve been needing to find some great handwritten arrows for a long time now. Much appreciated Victoria!
Naomi (Design Manifest), on February 15, 2013 at 2:05 pm said:

my goodness, aren’t you sweet!
Comfy Cozy Couture, on February 15, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:

Hooray!!! I received one of the tablets for Christmas but I haven’t had much time to play around with it yet unfortunately! Loving this fun download!! XoXo
Kelly, on February 16, 2013 at 8:43 am said:

Love these! Thanks so much for sharing!

-Kelly
Weekend Reading | Stripes & Sequins, on February 16, 2013 at 9:01 am said:

[...] offered up a pretty sweet download… pretty arrows + shapes for your blog [...]
Sarah, on February 16, 2013 at 2:31 pm said:

Thanks so much for sharing this! Will be very useful. :)
A Long Weekend, on February 16, 2013 at 4:43 pm said:

[...] These super cute downloadable graphics. [...]
brighton, on February 17, 2013 at 1:15 pm said:

these are SO great! thanks soooo much for sharing these! tHey’re so cute :)
Nnenna, on February 17, 2013 at 2:57 pm said:

These are awesome- thank you so much for sharing!
Decorative Books | Snapshots & My Thoughts, on February 19, 2013 at 6:22 am said:

[...] in the image are from vmac + cheese - she gave awesome free downloadable .pngs the other day here. I love [...]
Happy Photo Friday | Snapshots & My Thoughts, on February 22, 2013 at 11:36 am said:

[...] images via weheartit.com // handwriting via vmac + cheese [...]
Splurge vs. Steal: Flats | starcrossedsmile.com, on April 1, 2013 at 9:29 pm said:

[...] splurge // steal (arrow graphics via vmac + cheese) [...]
Emma, on April 7, 2013 at 1:18 pm said:

How do you change the size of the shape once it’s been pasted?
p.s. these are awesome :)
J. Crew Love | Snapshots & My Thoughts, on May 8, 2013 at 5:46 am said:

[...] Handwritten typography via vmac + cheese [...]
Erica, on May 16, 2013 at 5:38 pm said:

These are fabulous, thanks so much for sharing!