Step 1

In the Layers Palette double click on the name “Background,” and when the New Layer window comes up, name the layer (optional) and select OK. This will convert your Background into a floating layer.

Step 2

Create a new blank layer below this layer. Hold down Command (Control on Windows), and select the Create New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette. This will create a new layer below your current layer automatically.

Step 3

Expand your Canvas size by going to Image > Canvas Size. In this window, check the option “Relative,” and for the Width and Height, select one inch. The Anchor is set for the center by default, which is want you want, so select OK. You’ll notice that your canvas has expanded, leaving a one-inch transparent border around your image.

Step 4

Fill this layer with a color selected from your image (Edit > Fill). This brings up the Fill commands. In the Blending area, the Mode should be Normal and Opacity 100%. In the “Use” pull-down menu, select Color. Selecting Color will bring up the Color Picker, position the Color Picker to the side so you can see your image, and position your cursor over the image. The cursor will automatically turn into the Eyedropper Tool, allowing you to click on your image to select a color. Next, select OK in the Color Picker and then select OK again in the Fill window.

Your new layer will be filled with this color. (You can change this color later if you want). The next 3 steps will actually repeat steps 2, 3 and 4, but let’s detail them again.

Step 5

Once again hold down Cmd (Ctrl), and select the Create New Layer Icon in the Layers Palette to create a blank layer below your current layer.

Step 6

Expand your Canvas size again using Image > Canvas Size, and use the same settings from Step 3.

Step 7

Select Edit > Fill from the menu, and your Fill command will already show “Color” from the Use pull-down menu. Click on “Color” to bring up the Color Picker window again, and again select a color from your image. Click OK in the Color Picker and OK from the Fill window.

At this point, you’ll have your double border. Next you’ll want to add the finishing touches for Layer 1 and Layer 0.

Step 8

In the Layers Palette, select Layer 1 (the middle layer), select the Layer Style icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette. (You can also access the Layer Style commands using Layer > Layer Style.) Select Inner Shadow for this layer. Once the Layer Style window pops up

make sure you have Inner Shadow highlighted. Now you can set the controls for the Inner Shadow. Use a low number for the Distance, but set the Choke, Size and Opacity to the desired settings (you can see the effects of the inner shadow as you move these controls). Select OK.

Step 9

Now select Layer 0 (the top layer), and once again select Layer Style, but this time highlight Drop Shadow. Create the settings for Distance, Spread, Size and Opacity, and then select OK.

Step 10

Back in the Action Palette, select the square icon (bottom left) to stop recording.

Your Action is now complete. Anytime you record an action, the first thing you want to do is play the Action. In the History Palette, scroll to the top and select the History State where your image was flattened, or the first History state if it was flattened from the beginning. Play your action using the triangle at the bottom of the Action Palette. After a few moments your image should have a double border with layer style effects.

At this point you can highlight Layer 1 or 2 and if needed change the color using any of the Image > Adjustment commands. You can change or refine your Layer Style by selecting the Layer Style option for that layer once again.