Question about drop shadows in templates... Multiply blend mode
 

I have noticed that when there is a shadow layer that it is always set to "multiply" blend mode. So if I do use the shadow, when I go to merge my shadow and element layer I get a strange effect. I then have to go back and assign "normal" blend mode to the shadow before merging layers.

I am just curious why templates have this strange blend mode. Does it have to do with the process of making the template or is there another reason?

Having shadows set at the "Multiply" blend mode is a technique that I believe many scrappers use. It allows the shadow to take on some of the color of the items/paper behind it, as well as cast the shadow on them. One of the two shadow styles that I use most frequently uses the multiply blend mode, and the other uses the linear burn blend mode.

Aaron's right. Sometimes, though, it just doesn't work, for whatever reason, and at least you can change them to fit the situation you need. Or turn them off altogether. I do have to change them from multiply to linear to other blend modes because the element or the way it casts the shadow is just a bit weird :)

What i get is a lightening of the element. It seems to desaturate them.

I use PSP so maybe the effect you all are getting is different. I am slowly changing over to PSE9 so maybe this will be more of a plus in that software.

Thanks for explaining it to me. I can at least stop scratching my head about it.

Yah, I really have no idea how shadows work in PSP...hopefully that helps with the PSE though.

I had the same issue in PSP, but when I switched to PS, the issue was gone. Seems like it's just a PSP issue, rather than something across-the-board. Sorry. :(

I use PSP. Never have this issue. I use the 'multiply' blend mode ONLY when my shadow in over a darker background. For 'lighter' backgrounds, I use the 'luminance' blend mode b/c it gives me a better and not-too-strong shadow effect.
When I have a paper/element under that is white or almost white, then I switch to 'luminance legacy' blend mode. It gives me the same effect of 'luminance', only it's even more 'softer' and to me it works better in really REALLY light backgrounds.

***ETA***
Another tip I just remembered: this 'lightening' of the shadow with 'multiply' blend mode only happens when you merge the element with its shadow or group both layers over darker backgrounds. Just link your layers w/o merging / grouping and you'll avoid this issue. Your final, flat, image will be just fine.