Need an Action (or help creating action) for key-line frame to look matted for print

[Iron Flatline]

Hi all.

I've been printing a lot of my images lately, and I can't figure out how to create a nice frame around the image. Up till now I just expand the canvas by 15-20 pixels in white, and then one more time for about 10-15 pixels in black. It depends on the size of the image that I'm printing.

It's an o.k. look, but I would like something slightly more sophisticated. Could someone teach me a technique? I will be turning it into an Action. I'd also gladly accept a pre-existing Action, I will learn from it by tweaking it.

Here's what my current effort looks like, but I'd like something slightly more sophisticated:

 

[markc]

In my opinion, simple is sophisticated. Getting fancy often detracts from the image.

 

[Iron Flatline]

Just a little more sophisticated - possibly a little drop shadow, for instance.

I've searched TPF, and the links that were suggested always have very heavy framing, some kind of odd novelty effects, or they're intended for web-use, not printing. I don't actually want to matte after I print, just sort of fake it.

 

[MountainPaul]

Something you could play around with.

Duplicate Layer
Select All
Stroke (40 pixels)
Select - Modify - Contract (20 pixels) (This is HALF the value of the stroke)
Delete
Select - Inverse
Layer - Blending Options - Styles (choose one that you like)
Layer - Flatten Image

Thats it.

You can get some interesting borders that way.

Paul.

 

[markc]

Do you plan on framing?

 

[Iron Flatline]

No, that's why I want some kind of fake matting right now.