How to Make Your Own 160 X 600 Banner

1. Go to GIMP.org and download the latest stable version of the GIMP application (see Resources). Then install it to your computer. A shortcut to the program will be placed on your desktop.
2. Sketch out on paper your ideas for your banner. Whether it will be used as a website header or an ad, you will want to have the name of your site against a decorative background or a photograph.

3. Load any photographs or other images you might want to use onto your computer, either by copying them from a digital source, such as a camera or SD card, or by scanning them in.
4. Open GIMP. Select “File” and click “New.” In the dialog that pops up, set the increments to 'Pixels.' Enter 160 in the width box and 600 in the height box.
5. Use the “Paint Bucket” or “Gradient” tools (found in the toolbar on the upper left) to fill the canvas with the color, pattern or gradient of your choice.
6. Select “File” and click “Open.” Browse to the images you loaded that you want to use and open them. Then use the “Copy” and “Paste into Layer” functions under “Edit” to paste the images in the banner document. Use the “Move” and “Scale” tools to place the images where you want them
7. Select the “Text” tool and use the tool to type in your text. Make sure you use a font style, color and size that is easy to read.
8. Select “File”and click “Save.” In the dialog, name the file and save it as a JPEG.