I love to make photo collages as presents. They are really easy and go over huge with the grandparent crowd. A lot of people make them with Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, but not everyone has those programs. So, I set out to find a free online program that could make something nice, and I found a great EASY way to make collages on the HP Creative Studio. And? It’s FREE. If you don’t like free, you are straight-up weird.
So, first go to the HP Creative Studio. Click on Project Type, then Photo Frames and Borders. There will be eight pages of different templates and borders to flip through. I am making a collage of Annie pictures, so I picked the “Dotted Parchment Montage Photo Frame” on page five.
Once you’ve selected your template, the program walks you through a bunch of different ways to personalize your collage. You can make it horizontal or vertical, change the color of the border, it’s so easy. The program also makes it very easy to add photos either from your own computer or Snapfish. Once you’ve selected the photos you want in your collage, you just drag them to the spot you want them, then rotate or re-size as necessary.
My final product looked like this:
The best part is that I can print it at home on my own printer! For free!!
It’s going to make a great present for my parents and Mike’s parents. Hey grandparents, if you read this, act surprised!
Any questions? Let me know. If you want to share your final project in the TSAM Photo Fun Flickr group, that would be awesome!
Disclaimer: HP is the sponsor of this section, but they did not ask me to review this. I thought it was the best available free program available to everyone on the internet. My opinion is my own, yo!
Also, if you have an HP Printer, check this out!
edenland says:
This is GREAT. I’ve been looking for something like this for the pics from our big trip.
How do you get it printed out though – on your own computer, or do you take it on a USB to a photo store?
Heather says:
Good question, I will add it to my post. But, you can print it on your home printer!
Teena says:
Love it, I made two photos ..one of my grandaughter that is fixing to be two, and the other grandaughter that was just born a couple weeks ago. I didn’t print them out yet, but saved them to my computer and will print them out very soon! Thanks
btw..been reading your blog forever, just never commented before but wanted you to know that I uploaded two pics to your flicker phot fun fan photos
jen says:
How did you save it? i couldnt
Lisa says:
This is really great. I love how easy it is to use and the end result is really great! Thank you!
Sheryl says:
Thanks Heather!!! How Fun. Its always nice to find free stuff. and its easy to use on the mac which is nice!!!! and Now I found something to do with my morning!!! LOL
TJ McDowell says:
Looks like a useful program. Most of you guys probably know this already, but there’s a free alternative to Photoshop – it’s called The Gimp. For the price, you can’t beat it.
angela says:
Heather,
Thanks for the link! Awesome stuff & FUN!
Do you mind if I ask what kind of printer you have? I’m in the market!
Angela
aubrey says:
so, I made a collage but it doesn’t give me the option to save it so I can upload it…I am confused.
~a says:
When you’re looking at your printer options, click preview. Then you should be able to save it.
~a says:
This is awesome. I made a collage of my best friend’s little girl, who turns one tomorrow.
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says:
Love it, I always wondered how people made those awesome collages!
kathleen says:
I did two collages of our summer road trip and of course added photo’s of my girls/women they are 26 and 23 and some other loved ones. I bought a pair of matching frames at the thrift store about 2 months ago for $1.00 and they were the exact size of the collage. We recently renovated our master bedroom and it was still feeling a little stark, so these will be a great addition, thanks a lot for the tip, everyone in the family thinks I’m a genious.
Alexandra :) says:
Can you post the collague of Maddie’s baby parts?
Christina says:
Great recommendation! I think I’ll use this for my wedding pics (once the wedding actually happens). A collage with both Maddie and Annie pics would be the ultimate in cuteness, btw!
Molly says:
It only says print, it doesn’t say preview for me. Hmmm. Help?
Wendy says:
Heather,
How do I save it? I tried in the printer options and it but it didn’t work. Any ideas?
MrsP says:
I know this is old, but thank you for the free website! I love it, I’m really getting into changing my pictures around and creating collages! Thanks again!