Frequently Asked Questions About BTree Systems Practical Graphic Design Foundation
21 answers covering everything from basics to advanced usage.
// Basics
What does PPI actually mean in Photoshop?
PPI stands for Pixels Per Inch — the number of pixels packed into one inch of your image. More pixels per inch means sharper, crisper output. It directly controls visual quality: 72 PPI suits screens, 150 PPI is mid-range print, and 300 PPI is maximum print quality. Set it at creation because raising it later only interpolates fake pixels.
What is a raster image and why does it matter?
A raster image is made entirely of square-shaped pixels, which is exactly how Photoshop works. Because the pixels are fixed, raster images lose quality when scaled up — they get stretched and blurry. This is why resolution matters and why vector tools like Illustrator exist for scalable work such as logos.
What is an artboard in Photoshop?
An artboard is the work space or canvas inside Photoshop where you create designs, like a physical artist's drawing board. Photoshop provides built-in preset artboard sizes for industry-standard contexts — A4 for print, 1080p for video, iPhone for mobile — so you never have to guess dimensions.
What is bit depth and when should I change it from 8-bit?
Bit depth controls colour quality — higher depth means more colour information and richer gradations. Use 8-bit for standard work; it handles most design tasks. Only upgrade to 16-bit or 32-bit when maximum colour fidelity is specifically required, such as high-end photographic retouching. Note that Magnetic Lasso works only in 16-bit/32-bit modes.
// How To
How do I create multiple banner variations efficiently?
Use the Artboard Tool. Create your first artboard at the correct pixel dimensions, then click the '+' icon on its edge to duplicate it as many times as you need. Design one variation, then modify each duplicate for the others. This maximises productivity versus manually rebuilding or resizing separate canvases from scratch.
How do I change the background colour behind an isolated subject?
After isolating your subject on its own layer (Select → Subject, then Ctrl+J), create a new layer below it. Click the Adjustment Layer icon in the Layers panel, choose Solid Colour, and pick your colour — or drag the cursor onto the canvas to sample a colour with the Eyedropper. The subject now sits cleanly over the new background.
How do I customise my Photoshop workspace for faster work?
Go to Window → Workspace → Essentials, then drag panels to rearrange them, remove panels you don't need, and keep only the tools your workflow requires. Save it as a custom Workspace preset. Reducing clutter lowers cognitive load and speeds up production — working with all default panels open slows you down.
How do I sample a colour from a client's logo?
Use the Eyedropper Tool. Click it in the Tool Bar, then click anywhere on the logo image to set that exact colour as your foreground colour. You can then apply it to shapes, text, or fills, ensuring brand consistency across your design without manually matching hex values.
// Troubleshooting
My printed design looks blurry — what went wrong?
You almost certainly designed at 72 PPI, which is screen-only resolution. Print requires 300 PPI for sharp output. Unfortunately, you can't fix this by upscaling because increasing resolution after creation interpolates pixels rather than adding real detail. Recreate the document at 300 PPI and CMYK from the start.
My edits aren't appearing where I expect — why?
You're almost certainly editing on the wrong layer. This is the single most common beginner mistake. Always click to select the target layer in the Layers panel before making any change. Check which layer is highlighted, confirm it's the one holding the element you want to edit, then proceed.
My printed colours don't match what I saw on screen — how do I fix this?
This happens when you design in RGB (screen) but print requires CMYK. Converting after the fact degrades colour accuracy because CMYK has a narrower colour range. Always set CMYK colour mode before you start a print project. For the most enhanced photographic print detail, use LAB Colour instead.
I accidentally erased part of my image — how do I avoid this?
Switch from deleting to masking. Instead of using the Eraser to remove pixels permanently, apply a Layer Mask to hide what you don't need. Masking is non-destructive and fully reversible — the original data stays intact, so you can paint the mask back in anytime. This is a core principle of the framework.
Why can't I find or use the Magnetic Lasso tool?
The Magnetic Lasso, which snaps to edges automatically, is only available in 16-bit or 32-bit colour modes. If you're working in 8-bit (the standard), it won't be accessible. Either increase your bit depth when enhanced precision is needed, or use alternatives like Quick Selection, Object Selection, or Select → Subject.
// Comparisons
How does Photoshop compare to Illustrator for graphic design?
Photoshop is a pixel-based (raster) tool best for photo editing, retouching, and screen graphics, where images are made of fixed pixels. Illustrator is vector-based, ideal for logos, branding, typography, and scalable illustrations that never lose quality when resized. A professional needs both — this framework teaches Photoshop first, then recommends moving to Illustrator.
Is masking better than using the Eraser tool?
Yes, for almost all professional work. Masking hides parts of a layer non-destructively while preserving the original pixels, so changes stay fully reversible. The Eraser permanently deletes pixels, meaning one mistake can cost you original data. Industry-standard workflows use Layer Masks over erasing whenever isolating subjects or removing backgrounds.
How is this foundation different from learning design on Canva?
Canva uses templates and hides technical concepts, which limits control and professional output. This Photoshop foundation teaches the underlying fundamentals — pixels, resolution, colour modes, layers, and masking — so you can produce custom, print-ready, industry-standard work. It's the difference between assembling templates and becoming a genuine graphic designer capable of professional client work.
// Advanced
When should I use the Frame Tool versus a Layer Mask?
Use the Frame Tool when you want any image placed inside a bounded container to stay clipped within that frame's boundaries, regardless of how it's moved or resized — great for consistent placeholder layouts. Use a Layer Mask when you want to hide specific irregular areas of a layer non-destructively, like isolating a subject from its background.
When is LAB Colour worth using over CMYK?
Choose LAB Colour for high-detail photographic printing where you want the most enhanced, crisp colour output. It's defined by Lightness, a Green-Black axis, and a Yellow-Blue axis, capturing more detail than CMYK. The trade-off is cost — LAB printing is more expensive, so reserve it for premium photographic work rather than standard commercial print jobs.
What's the difference between the Clone Stamp and Healing Brush?
The Clone Stamp duplicates a specific pixel area from one part of an image to another exactly, useful for copying subjects, textures, or patterns. The Healing Brush and Spot Healing Brush remove unwanted elements by sampling surrounding pixels and blending them seamlessly. Use Clone Stamp for precise copying, Healing for invisible repairs like removing blemishes or lens flare.
In what order should a beginner learn the Photoshop tools?
Work through them by priority: Move (V), Marquee (M), Lasso (L), Object/Quick Selection and Magic Wand, Crop, Frame, Eyedropper, Healing brushes, Brush/Pencil (B), Clone Stamp, Eraser, Gradient, Type (T), Shape tools (U), Pen, Hand, and Zoom. Learn each one at a time with a real design element. Hover over any tool to see its name, shortcut, and built-in tutorial.
How do I know I'm ready to move from Photoshop to Illustrator?
You're ready when you can confidently remove a background, adjust colours, add text, create shapes, use the pen tool, and save or export a file — all using real industry-standard settings rather than placeholder values. Consolidate these through real-time projects first. Only then should you progress to Illustrator for vector work.