threshold help please?

[B.Rich]

Hey all, I just need quick tips on doing some threshold sigs. Everytime I use the effect it comes out either too dark and or too light and you can't even make out the render, is there something I need to be doing?

 

[RipCity32]

IDK if it works, but yesterday snowy suggested blurring the image before adding the threshold layer.

 

[Gtown81]

apply the image and resize it