How to Make Halftones (Part 1)

Basic Procedure
E-mail me at hannahmariebear@gmail.com if you need help or if an instruction is unclear. I am working on a picture version.

1. Create a new file, with 300 pixels/inch resolution. On a new layer, make a colored gradient using the gradient tool.

2. Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale. Choose “Flatten.”

The three options it shows are Flatten, Cancel, and Don’t Flatten. ‘Flatten’ merges all layers and converts to greyscale, ‘Cancel’ does nothing, and ‘Don’t Flatten’ leaves the layers intact and proceeds to convert the file to grayscale. All layers must be flattened to create the halftone.

3. Press Ctrl+L to bring up the Levels options (this can also be found by going to Image > Adjustments > Levels).

A colored gradient will not have any solid areas after it is turned into a halftone, because it will be a shade of gray, initially. Halftones are created based on the lightness of the gray.

4. In the Levels box, slide the black arrow so it is just underneath where the graph starts.

Depending on which color you chose, this graph will look a lot different – but it always has a starting point. This makes the image dark enough to have solid color in the halftone just like the gradient.

5. Go to Image > Mode > Bitmap. Make sure the resolution is 300, and select “Halftone Screen” from the dropdown menu. Click “Ok.”

The resolution should be the same as the document you’re working on – otherwise you might end up with a halftone too small or too big for what you’re doing.

6. Experiment! Play with the numbers in the next box you see and just press Ctrl-Z to undo the change, and do step five again.

Frequency determines how large the dots are – lower numbers make the dots bigger, and higher numbers make the dots smaller. Angle determines which way the halftone points (enter a value between -180 to 180). I usually have mine set to 45 degrees. Shape refers to the actual shape of the halftone dots/lines.


Using the Halftone in Another Image

1. Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale. Leave the Size Ratio at 1.

Converting the image back to Greyscale mode gives you access to options that aren’t accessible in Bitmap mode. Size Ratio scales the image down with numbers larger than 1; 2 makes it smaller by 50 percent, etc.

2. Go to Select > Color Range. With the eyedropper tool, click on a black area in the halftone.

The preview image in color range should look like your halftone with inverted colors. Fuzziness refers to the range of colors that will get selected – a smaller number means less, a larger number means more. Bitmap converted everything to just black and white, so 1 will do here.

3. For colored halftones: Image > Mode > RGB Color. Create a new layer, fill with the paint bucket tool, then copy and paste into the destination file.

I find that this is easier to do than copying the black halftone into the working file and changing the color there.

Glossary

Angle - determines which way the halftone points (enter a value between -180 to 180).
Bitmap – turns images into purely black or white, with no grey or color.
Color range – makes a selection in Photoshop based on colors.
Don't flatten - leaves the layers intact and proceeds to convert the file to grayscale.
Flatten - merges all layers and converts to grayscale.
Frequency - determines how large the halftone dots are – lower numbers make the dots bigger, and higher numbers make the dots smaller.
Fuzziness - refers to the range of colors that will get selected in Color Range mode – a smaller number means less, a larger number means more.
Gradient tool – tool in Photoshop, usually bundled with the paint bucket tool, that creates a gradient in various shapes.
Grayscale – mode that converts color images into grey.
Levels – (shortcut: Ctrl-L) adjusts shadows, mid-tones, and highlights.
Paint bucket tool – fills a selected area with color.
Resolution – amount of detail in a bitmap image
Shape - the actual shape of the halftone dots/lines.
Size Ratio - scales a bitmap image down with numbers larger than 1; 2 makes it smaller by 50 percent, etc.