1. Get your image. I'm using this image
I simply clicked one of the neopets background and copied it. Now open a new image in photoshop. (file-new) It should automatically be the example pixels of the image. Check transparent, then click okay and paste your image.
2. Now that you have your image. photoshop should look something like this, (this has been scaled down)
This image is rather small for a layout so go to image-image size I would choose around 550 or so for the width, but you can choose any size you want.
3. Your image will probably look rather pixelly so duplicate layer and set the layer to overlay or softlight, which ever you prefer.
Now go to filter-blur-gaussian blur and choose how much you want to blur the top layout that is on softlight/overlay.
I'm going to blur 3.5, but you can choose whatever you like.
4. Now merge down (ctrl†e). Then make a new layer (layer-new-layer or shift†ctrl†n). Click the paint bucket tool then change fill to pattern NOT foreground. Choose a pattern. I'm using a simple 1 pixel diagonal line that I made myself. Set this layer to overlay. Merge down (ctrl†e)
5. click the shape tool. I'm using this shape:
click near the top of the layout and drag down. It should look like this:
rasterize the layer. Left click shape layer, then click rasterize. Then ue the magic wand tool on the shape layer. Then left click and press select inverse. Click your layout layer. Click cut (edit-cut). Then deleat the shape layer (left click shape layer-deleate). Your layout should look something like this:
6. Now is the time for the text area. Choose a color for your foreground (I'm choosing white) and using a shape tool, make a shape the size of your text area. Then go to your layers pallet and change the opacity/fill to whatever you like to make it transparent. I'm going to set the fill on 55%
It should look something like this:
7. See how I have a nice thin brown line around that? To get that will the layer you want a line around highlighted click add a layer style on the layers pallet and click stroke. Change the pixel to whatever you like. I chose 1 px. Click color and choose whatever color you want.
8. Now for the text. You should label your text area first. I would use around 10 to 14 point font. This is what I'm using:
8. Now for the guild name. Choose a slightly larger font and put the guild name on the image. I'm using Trebuchet MS at 72pt.
note: this last section is in itallics because it is optional
rasterize the type layer. then click the magic wand tool and make sure that contiguous is unchecked. select your guild name. then change layers to the layer with your image. Copy then go back to your type layer with the selection STILL ON. while you're at this, make sure your type layer is the top layer. paste. The image should be the shape of the text. You can delete the text layer right now. Make sure your image layer that looks like text is highlighted. Left click this layer and select blending options. Click the blending options you want. I'm going to do bevel and emboss and outer glow.
Your layout should now look something like this:
