Photoshop Tutorials » RetroVectorBanner Tutorial

Step 1 - Starting out
Make a 450x130 document in Photoshop. Fill the background with a brownish color like the one in the image. Next, create a new layer in preparation for the next step. Step 2 - Drawing Out the Line
Using the pen tool, make a line by dragging various anchor points around. Match it with the image as close as you can. You can disable the automatic line extender by holding down the "alt" key while clicking on an anchor point. When you're done drawing the line with the pen tool, make your foreground color a funky greenish blue color like in the image. Then right click the pen outline with the pen tool, and click "Stroke Path." Be sure your stroke is about 10px thick, or else the line won't show up well enough. Step 3 - Duplicating, and Darkening.
Duplicate the layer, and move it up about 10 pixels by using the Selection Tool. Press up on the keyboard 10 times to do this. Next, hit ctrl+u on your keyboard, and make the "brightness" slider -10. Repeat this process 2 more times with the new layer you created. See the picture for info. Step 4 - Border
Create a new layer. Now, click on the foreground color square (should be that blue/green color from earlier.) With the color palette menu open, click on the upper most wavy stroke you made. This will "suck up" the color, and put it into the foreground. Now make a border around the top area only. Repeat this with the bottom part, but with the bottom most wavy stroke. Again, check the picture for extended help. I chose to make the side borders 2px, and the top borders 5 px to give the image a unique feel. Step 5 - Pen Tool... Again -_-
With the pen tool selected, make an outline of the highest stroke you made. It should look like something in my picture in the end. This will be used for text in the next tutorial. Step 6 - Text
Click on the "Text Tool." Now hover over that pen line we just made. Notice the icon that shows that you're about to click on an outline-guided text layer. Click it, and then type in whatever you want. Use a bright green/yellow color for this one. I used UpUp Media Design respectively. :) Step 7 - Ending Commments
You are now done. Congrats on making an appealing retro vector signature/banner thingy. :D You can extend this piece even more by putting more vector images in the background, but I feel that is overkill. The colors in this piece speak for itself enough. End! Job well done! :)

Photoshop Tutorials » RetroVectorBanner Tutorial