How to create a deckle edge using Photoshop

Most artists will know that the ragged edge of the paper as it comes from the papermaking machine is the deckle edge.  If your art practice includes creating digital images or you print photos, it is possible to recreate a ‘deckle’ or torn look around the edge of your image using Photoshop. 

Why I hear you ask would I want to do this ??? well, I do this when I’m creating limited edition prints from original paintings.   For some images the harsh edge of a digital image is just, well too harsh, for me… so I make it a bit raggedy like this…

1.   Open the image in Photoshop

2.   Do all your cropping and straightening and any other colour adjustments.

3.  From the Image menu, select Canvas Size

4    In the Canvas Size dialog box make sure that next to Canvas Extension Colour, you have selected Background .  This should be the default, but it’s worth checking.   Then change the the Width and Height from Zero cm to 2 cm.  I generally find this is enough.

6.   Next click the Rectangular Marquee tool from the toolbox and “marquee” just inside the edge of your image (see pic below

7.  Next, from the Select menu, choose Inverse

8. Then from the Filter menu, choose Distort.  I will generally then select Glass.  When you do this, you will see in the preview pane, that the edges of your image are now “deckle”.  You can adjust the Distortion and Smoothness sliding scale to get more or less raggedy.  You might also want to choose other Distort filters, such as “Ocean Ripple and see if you prefer that.  Glass is just a preference for me.

9.  When you have made your selection, click Ok and hey presto you have a deckle edge around your image.

**shameless self promotion.  I’m currently working on my proposal for my 2011 print major class.  I’m thinking about fish, crustaceans etc so I’ve been doing some gouache sketches.. and this prawn is one of those is one…