Question about image size, canvas size and Picture frame

Question

Hi,
This has always been a little confusing so let me describe what my question is:
Assume I have a created a new PSD that is 8 1/2 x 11.
The canvas size is the same 8 1/2 x 11.
I want to put a border around the picture (say 1/2 of an inch all around), and put the finished picture in a Picture frame.  After it is in the frame, you would be able to see the entire picture plus the border.
Q.  Should I change (reduce image size) of the PSD to (for this example), 8 x 10 1/2.      Then increase the canvas size to 8 1/2 x 11.  After I increased the canvas size, do a  Paint Bucket fill with white (to create the White border)?  then print the changed size PSD on 8 1/2 x 11 paper so that it will fit into a 8 1/2 x 11 picture frame
I realize I could have just created the new PSD to be 8 x 10 1/2 in the first place.
Hope I made this somewhat clear.
Bob

Answer 1

1: Decrease the size as you describe.
2. Go to File>New or Ctrl N
3. Make the box 8.5x11. Make sure the other data conforms to your image.
4. Now,holding down Ctrl-Shift, Drag the image to the new box and release the mouse. Your image will be centered in the box.
Note: there may be a method to do this including any adjustment layers, but I usually only do this as a last step, flattening a copy of the working file.