Make your PDF screenshots pop!
Your PDF screenshot should make a statement
When making a screenshot of a PDF to display in your email or web page, make sure
that you give your visitors a clear representation of the document. By making just a little more effort in your image editing, your images will gain they eye of your web traffic...and ultimately your leads.
The steps
- Make a copy of the PDF’s cover in Adobe (either Reader or Professional) by selecting Edit > Copy File to Clipboard.
- Paste the document in Photoshop.
- Shrink it down to about 200 pixels because most PDF images on the site aren't larger than that.
- Once I shrink it down, I jot down the number in height as well.
- Create a new file with a gray background (I normally use #CCCCCC)
- It needs to be 2 pixels wider and 2 pixels higher than your PDF image; for
example, if your image was 200px high and 258px wide, your gray image should
be 202px high and 260px wide.
- Drag the PDF image onto the gray image evenly.
- You should now have two layers on the gray image project. Select the layer where the PDF is located.
- Once this is done, select the "high" effect on the "effects" tab. This gives it the
"lifted off the page" look
- Change the layer's settings to give it the "book look." I do this by going to Layer > Layer Style > Style Settings. This should open up a window where you change the settings. These settings work best for this look:
Preview (box should be checked):
Drop Shadow (box should be checked):
- Size: 21px
- Distance: 29px
- Opacity: 75%
Bevel (box should be checked):
A little effort goes a long way
While it is convenient to simply add an image to an to your screenshot and putting a border around it, it is equally convenient if you add images that will entice your readers. Take some time and really make the effort. Your readers will thank you!
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