Recoloring in PSE7

I've got a quick "how to" today, on how to recolor an element that is black. Some products, like some alphas and elements are sold as "easy to recolor." Sometimes I've used the paintbrush and repainted them, but then the outer edges seem to lose their crispness. These instructions are for an object that begins as pure black. 


I'm going to start with this signature file, and change it to match this paper swatch. (Signature is from Created All Around by Krisi's Kreations and the paper swatch is from This Woman's Work by Trixie Scraps and Wimpychompers Designs. I'm having a little love affair with this particular paper!)

Select your target layer and from the menu:
Enhance > Adjust Color > Adjust Hue/Saturation
In the dialog box, CHECK the box marked "Colorize" and it resets the sliders.

I start by sliding the "Lightness" slider to the right. In the middle, this slider shows your object as black, and as you slide to the right your object lightens, all the way to white at the far right. In between, you'll see it change your object to shades of a color. Once the lightness/darkness is about where you want it, play with the "Hue" slider until it gets close to the color you want. Then tinker with the "Saturation" slider, which will make your color more intense to the right and less intense (more gray) to the left. I usually end up tinkering with each slider a couple of times until I get my color right where I want it.


Here's my finished signatures:

 

Easy-peasy! Give it a try!