Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a simple notebook icon in Adobe Photoshop.

Final Image

As always, this is the final image that we’ll be creating:

Notebook Icon

Tutorial Details

  • Program: Adobe Photoshop CC
  • Estimated Completion Time: 45 minutes
  • Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate

Step 1

Open Photoshop and hit Control + N to create a new document. Enter all the data shown in the following image and click OK.

Enable the Grid (View > Show > Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap To > Grid). For starters you will need a grid every 5px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides, Grid & Slices and focus on the Grid section. Enter 5 in the Gridline Every box and 1 in the Subdivision box. Also, set the color of the grid to #a7a7a7. Once you have set all these properties click OK.

Try not to get discouraged by all that grid, it will ease your work later and keep in mind that you can easily enable or disable it using the Control + " keyboard shortcut. You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 1

Step 2

Set the foreground color to #f9e7c3, pick the Rectangle Tool and simply create a 120 x 125px vector shape, the Snap to Grid feature will ease your work.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 2

Step 3

Using the Direct Selection Tool, select the four anchor points that make up your vector shape and open the Properties panel (Window > Properties). Check the Link together corner radius values button (indicated by the little, blue arrow in the following image) then simply enter "3px" in one of the corner boxes. In the end your vector shape should look like that in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 3

Step 4

Focus on the Layers panel (Window > Layers), open the existing layer and simply double click on your vector shape to open the Layer Style window.

Activate the Bevel & Emboss, the Inner Shadow and the Gradient Overlay then enter the properties shown in the following images. Keep in mind that the white numbers from the Gradient Overlay image stand for Location percentage while the yellow numbers stand for Opacity percentage. Return to the Layers panel, simply double click on the name of your vector shape and change it to "page".

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 4
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 4
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 4
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 4

Step 5

Using the Pen Tool, create a 120px, horizontal path and place it as shown in the first image. Once again the Snap to Grid feature should ease your work. Make sure that this new path stays selected and focus on the control panel. Make sure that you have no color set for the Fill then set the stroke color to #71441b and the stroke width to 1pt.

Move to the Layers panel, make sure that your horizontal path is still selected and lower its Opacity to 10%. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 5

Step 6

Make sure that your horizontal path is still selected and make seven copies (Control + J). Select these fresh copies one by one and place them as shown in the first image. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 6

Step 7

Using the Pen Tool, create a 100px, vertical path and place it as shown in the first image.

Make sure that this new path stays selected and focus on the control panel. Make sure that you have no color set for the Fill then set the stroke color to #f5989d and the stroke width to 1pt. Move to the Layers panel, make sure that your vertical path is still selected and lower its Opacity to 50%. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 7

Step 8

Set the foreground color to #c69c6d, pick the Rectangle Tool, create a 120 x 25px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image.

Using the Direct Selection Tool, select the four anchor points that make up this new vector shape and focus on the Properties panel (Window > Properties). Make sure that the Link together corner radius values button is not checked then enter "3px" in the top corner boxes and "2px" in the bottom corner boxes. In the end things should look like in the second image.

Move to the Layers panel and simply rename the vector shape made in this step "top".

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 8

Step 9

For the following steps you will need a grid every 1px, so simply go to to Edit > Preferences > Guides, Grid & Slices and enter 1 in the Gridline Every box.

Set the foreground color to #946a3b, pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool, focus on the control panel and set the radius to 1px.

Move to your canvas, create a 7 x 5px rounded rectangle and place it exactly as shown in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 9

Step 10

Duplicate your tiny, rounded rectangle (Control + F). Select this fresh copy and simply drag it 15px to the right.

Create some new copies and spread them as shown in the second image. Make sure that you always have an 8px gap between each rounded rectangle. Once you’re done move to the Layers panel. Select all your tiny, rounded rectangles, right click on one of these vector shapes and simply go to Merge Shapes.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 10

Step 11

Open the Layer Style window for the vector shape made in the previous step and enter the properties shown in the following images.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 11
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 11
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 11
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 11

Step 12

Set the foreground color to #ed1c24, pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a 2 x 15px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool and select all the anchor points that make up your red, rounded rectangle. Hold the Alt button from your keyboard, simply click on your red vector shape and drag it 3px to the right as shown in the second image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 12

Step 13

Duplicate your red vector shape (Control + F). Select this fresh copy and simply drag it 15px to the right as shown in the first image. Make some new copies, spread them as shown in the second image and make sure that you always have a 10px gap between each vector shape. Once you’re done move to the Layers panel, select all your red, rounded rectangles and simply go to Merge Shapes.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 13

Step 14

Duplicate your red vector shape (Control + J), select the copy and simply hit Control + [ to send it behind the original red vector shape. Make sure that the copy made in this step stays selected, focus on the Layers panel, lower the Fill to 0% then open the Layer Style window. Activate the Stroke and enter the properties shown in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 14
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 14

Step 15

Focus on the Layers panel, hold the Control button from your keyboard and simply click on the "page" vector shape to load a simple selection around it as shown in the first image.

Keep focusing on the Layers panel, select the vector shape made in the previous step and simply click on the Add layer mask button (indicated by the blue circle in the following image). In the end your masked vector shape should look like in the second image. Once you’re done hit Control + D to get rid of that selection.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 15

Step 16

Reselect your red vector shape, duplicate it (Control + J), select the copy and simply hit Control + [.

Make sure that the copy made in this step stays selected, lower its Fill to 0% then open the Layer Style window. Activate the Drop Shadow and enter the properties shown in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 16
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 16

Step 17

Focus on the Layers panel and load a new selection around your "page" vector shape. Keep focusing on the Layers panel, select the vector shape made in the previous step and simply click on the Add layer mask button. In the end your masked vector shape should look like in the second image. Don’t forget to get rid of that selection (Control + D) when you’re done.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 17

Step 18

Open the Layer Style window for your red vector shape and enter the properties shown in the following images.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 18
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 18
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 18

Step 19

Open the Layer Style window for your "page" vector shape and enter the properties shown in the following images.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 19
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 19
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 19

Step 20

Duplicate your "page" vector shape (Control + J). Focus on the Layers panel, right click on this new copy and go to Clear Layer Style. Make sure your copy stays selected, lower its Fill to 0%, open the Layer Style window and enter the properties shown in the following images.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 20
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 20
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 20

Step 21

Set the foreground color to #ffffff, pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a 114 x 1px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image.

Make sure that this new rounded rectangle stays selected, focus on the Layers panel, lower its Opacity to 60% and change the Blending Mode to Soft Light.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 21

Step 22

Set the foreground color to #a56e3e, pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a 6 x 1px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image. Duplicate this new, rounded rectangle (Control + F), select the copy and simply drag it 9px to the right as shown in the second image. Make several new copies, spread them as shown in the third image and make sure that you always have a 3px gap between each rounded rectangle. Once you’re done move to the Layers panel, select all the vector shapes made in this step and simply go to Merge Shapes.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 22

Step 23

Open the Layer Style window for the vector shape made in the previous step and enter the properties shown in the following images.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 23
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 23

Step 24

Hit Shift + Control + Alt + N to create a new layer, select it and send it to back (Shift + Control + [ ).

Make sure that this new layer stays selected, pick the Paint Bucket Tool, set the foreground color to #c7b29a and simply click inside your canvas. Open the Layer Style window for this new layer, activate the Inner Glow and enter the properties shown in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 24
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 24

Step 25

Focus on the Layers panel, right click on the layer made in the previous step and go to Convert to Smart Object.

Make sure that this new smart object stays selected and go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Enter the attributes shown in the following image and click OK.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 25

Step 26

For the final steps you will need a grid every 5px, so simply go to to Edit > Preferences > Guides, Grid & Slices and enter 5 in the Gridline Every box.

Set the foreground color to black, pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool and set the Radius to 3px.

Create a 120 x 125px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image.

Move to the Layers panel and simply drag this black, rounded rectangle below the rest of the vector shapes that make up your icon. Keep focusing on the Layers panel, make sure that your black vector shape stays selected, lower its Fill to 0% then open the Layer Style window. Activate the Drop Shadow then enter the properties shown in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 26
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 26

Step 27

Duplicate the vector shape made in the previous step. Open the Layer Style window for this fresh copy, focus on the Drop Shadow section and replace the existing attributes with the ones shown in the following image.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 27
Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 27

Step 28

Pick the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a 110 x 100px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image.

Move to the Layers panel and simply drag this black, rounded rectangle below the rest of the vector shapes that make up your icon. Keep focusing on the Layers panel, turn this black vector shape into a smart object, lower its Opacity to 50%, change the Blending Mode to Soft Light and go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Drag the Radius slider at 10px and click OK.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 28

Step 29

Pick the Rectangle Tool, create a 110 x 60px vector shape and place it as shown in the first image.

Move to the Layers panel and simply drag this black rectangle below the rest of the vector shapse that make up your icon.

Keep focusing on the Layers panel, turn this black vector shape into a smart object, change its Blending Mode to Soft Light and go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Set the Angle at -90 degrees, drag the Distance slider at 100px, click OK then go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Drag the Radius slider at 15px, click OK and you’re done.

Create a Simple Notebook Icon in Adobe Photoshop 29

And We’re Done!

Here is how your final result should look.

Notbook Icon
Notbook Icon
Notbook Icon