Halloween Prank: DIY Head in a Jar

Here’s an easy way to creep out your coworkers, friends and family with a DIY trick you can create using Photoshop, your printer and some water-resistant media.

We created a 3-D effect image using Photoshop and printed it on LexJet Production Display Film, which has water-resistant properties without lamination. You could also laminate your print for additional durability.

Mix up the chemical “solution” with water and food coloring in the jar and insert the image. “Preserve” it by storing it the refrigerator for all to see!

• Three photos, straight-on and both profiles
• Adobe Photoshop
• Printer
• LexJet Production Display Film (Water-resistant media)
• Large jar
• Food coloring
• Water

Against a plain background, take photos with your subject straight-on and both profiles.

Open all three images in Photoshop and remove the background, so the "Head" is silhouetted in each.

Enlarge the canvas size of straight-on image to be wide enough to match the circumference of the jar you're using. Then drag the profile images in front so that the noses are all pointing to the center.

So that the lighting matches, select the two profile layers and go to Transform » Flip Horizontal. Then use guides to align the three images.

Add a Layer Mask to the profile layers and blend into the straight-on image by using a soft edge on the eraser tool to erase the edge of the profile layers.

Once aligned and blended, save your work as a PSD file and then select Flatten Image in the Layers Palette.

Next crop your image tightly around the "Head" to fit the jar you're using.

Using the Clone tool with a soft egde, clone the hair and neck to blend the three together.

Save the flattened image as it's own print file and then print the image on water-resistant media such as LexJet Production Display Film. An alternative method is to use lamination for making your print water-resistant.

Now that your print is ready, fill the jar with water and add a few drops of food coloring to make it look aged and then shake it gently to mix.

Coil your water-resistant print and insert it into the jar with water.

Now you're good to go! Happy Halloween Pranking!

If you'd like to watch how we created the 3-D image in Photoshop, here's our step-by-step instructional video.