◆ Photoshop · combine

Create Editable Templates

Create a series of editable exhibit templates junior designers can drop photos into: build three artboards for proposa…

2heights
2tasks
1roles do it
See the prompt↓More combine workflows

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
AExecute — “help me do it”Create a series of editable exhibit templates junior designers can drop photos into: build…+
Create a series of editable exhibit templates junior designers can drop photos into: build three artboards for proposal sizes, set up smart objects for images, create named layer groups and save a template PSD and an example PDF for the design lead by [deadline=next Monday].
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Before rolling the templates out to junior designers and the design lead, make them idiot-proof…+
Before rolling the templates out to junior designers and the design lead, make them idiot-proof — use smart objects for all image slots, create a recorded action for export, include a ReadMe layer with usage notes and required image sizes, and deliver separate PSDs for each proposal size plus export presets.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
Smart Objects

Smart Objects preserve an image's source content with all its original characteristics, enabling non-destructive editing.

  1. 1

    Select one or more layers in the Layers panel.

  2. 2

    Choose Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.

    NoteThis embeds the selected layers into a new Smart Object.

  3. 3

    Alternatively, right-click the selected layer(s) and choose Convert to Smart Object.

  4. 4

    To place a new file as a Smart Object, choose File > Place Embedded.

  5. 5

    Select the desired file and click Place.

  6. 6

    To edit a Smart Object, double-click its thumbnail in the Layers panel.

    NoteThis opens the Smart Object's content in a new window.

  7. 7

    Make your desired edits to the content in the new window.

  8. 8

    Choose File > Save to apply changes to the Smart Object.

    Best practiceUsing Smart Objects from the start saves edits and time by preserving original image data.

  9. 9

    Close the Smart Object window to return to your main document.

Smart Objects allow you to apply transformations, filters, and other edits non-destructively, always preserving the original image data.

Photoshop's scripting capabilities can automate the creation and placement of Smart Objects, especially for templated workflows.

Glossary

words on this page
Convert to Smart ObjectEmbeds layer content as a non-destructive object, allowing scalable transformations without losing quality.ExampleYou Convert to Smart Object before resizing a logo multiple times to avoid pixelation.
Place EmbeddedTo insert an image file directly into the current document, making it part of the file.ExampleYou insert a client's image directly into your poster design, making it part of the file.
Smart ObjectsLayers that contain raster or vector image data, preserving source content with all its original characteristics.ExampleScaling a Smart Object up and down multiple times won't degrade its image quality.
ArtboardsIndividual canvases within a single document, useful for designing multiple layouts or pages.ExampleYou might use Artboards to design different versions of a logo within a single document.
AutomateTo perform a sequence of predefined tasks automatically, often using recorded actions.ExampleYou can automate the process of converting a folder of images to a different file format.

The real tasks

1 of them
Create a series of editable exhibit templates that junior designers can drop photos into for consistent client proposals.

Who does this

1 roles
Set & Exhibit Designer

Questions people ask

honest answers

Because you rarely think 'I want the redaction tool'. You think 'I have to share this without leaking the client's details'. Start from the need, and the feature finds you.

Real. Every job here was drawn from what people in real roles were actually seen doing in Photoshop — not a feature checklist.

No. Each page gives you a ready prompt you can paste into an AI assistant, plus the plain steps to do it yourself. Start with either — the goal is the finished job, not the tool.