“A digital stamp in crafting, stamping, card making, and scrapbooking is a digital image” which can be manipulated in Photoshop. (-Wikipedia).  Digital stamps typically come in .abr (brush) and PNG formats; and are usually black in color.

An often-asked question is how to change the color of a black stamp to a color of choice.  Here’s how:

Photoshop:

Option 1:

• Place your stamp on a blank layer above your background. In this example, I am using a stamp from Flower Stamps 01. 
• Double-click on the Painted Edge layer (in the blank space to the right of the layer name) to open the Layer Style Options box.
• Tick the box in front of Color Overlay to make that option active. 
• Double-click on the Color Overlay title in the Styles box on the left; this will open the Color Overlay Options box on the right.
• Click in the Color Picker to select your desired color, then click OK.
• Click OK again, to close the Layer Styles Options box.

Option 2:

• Place your stamp on a blank layer above your background.
• With the stamp layer selected, click on the Lock Transparent Pixels icon.
• In the top menu bar: Edit > Fill
• In the dialogue box that opens, click on the down-pointing arrow to the right of Contents to access the options. Choose Color.
• When the Color Picker opens, choose the color you want. Click OK.
• Click OK. The stamp will be filled with the new color you have chosen.

Photoshop Elements:

The necessary tools available in Option #1 are not included with Photoshop Elements; however, Option #2, as outlined above, works perfectly in Elements. The Transparent Lock in PSE is located above the Layers Panel.

Colored Black Stamp

Are you ready to take your black-stamp-digital-coloring skills to the next level?  Learn how to create an image like the one below in How to Color Black Brushes and Stamps in Photoshop, Part 2.

If you would like to download a PDF of this tutorial, you may do so here:  How to Color Black Stamps in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements