photoshop features
How to outline text in Adobe Photoshop.
Learn how to make your words more legible by adding an outline to your text.
What does it mean to outline text in Photoshop?
Typography designers put long hours into fine-tuning the appearance and profile of every font they create and applying an outline to text can disrupt the designer’s intended aesthetic. But if you want to give a text effect an opaque backing that’s similar to a drop shadow while providing a little extra weight for artistic purposes, read on to see how you can outline the text in your image.
Make your text stand out.
Want to be sure your words make an impact? Add a colourful outline so they catch the reader’s eye.
Add a sense of style.
The right outline can help your text blend with the creative style you’re using for the rest of your image.
How to outline text in Photoshop.
There are multiple methods to apply a text outline to your image.
- Select it:
Select the layer you want to add text to or create a new layer. Then select the Type tool from the toolbar on the right side of the screen. - Write it:
Click anywhere on the screen and type in the text you want to write. - Layer it:
Open the Layer Style menu by clicking the FX icon or double-clicking the side of your layer. Then click the tickbox next to the Stroke option. - Adjust it:
From the Stroke menu you can adjust sliders to control the dimensions of your stroke layer. The Size option controls the outline’s thickness, while Position determines where the outline is in relation to the text. - Colour it:
You can use the Colour Picker to alter the colour of your outline and choose from different options on the Blend Mode drop-down menu to control how the outline colours mix and fade with the rest of the image. - Fill it:
If you want to fill your outline with something other than a solid colour, access the Fill Type drop-down menu and choose between Gradient (which creates a gradual transition between two colours) and Pattern (which offers a variety of repeated textures and graphics). - Apply it:
Click OK to apply your changes.
How to outline text as a vector.
You can also create an outline for your text by converting the text into a vector shape. This will give you more options to customise the shape of your outline, but will make it more difficult to edit the text later.
- Convert it:
Once you’re sure your text is finalised, use the Text tool to create a text layer, then right-click it and select Convert to Shape. - Vector it:
From the toolbar on the right, select any of the vector tools to enable vector points on the text. - Modify it:
On the top menu, choose from options like Fill Colour and Stroke Options to alter the appearance of your text’s outline. - Apply it:
Click OK to apply your changes.
How to outline text without fill.
If you want your outlined text to have a lighter look, reduce the fill to scale down the opacity of the letters themselves while preserving the outline. From the Layer Styles menu, just select Stroke › Blending Options and then drag the Fill Opacity slider to the left to reduce the letters’ opacity.
To achieve the same effect with a vector outline, access the Layer Style window and click the tickbox next to Stroke. Then click the Fill icon from the top menu and select the No Fill icon — a white box with a slanted red line through it.
Explore additional Photoshop features.
Now that you’ve customised your text, read up on tutorials to see what else Photoshop can do.
Replace a product background
Learn how to separate an object from its original backdrop and add a new one.
Create a composite.
Use masking tools in Photoshop to combine elements from multiple images.
Frequently Asked Questions.
There’s no shortcut key for outlining text in Photoshop, but the actual process is easy. Simply select your text and turn it into an adjustable layer by clicking the FX icon or double-clicking the side of the layer. You can then use the Stroke menu to adjust the sliders that control dimensions. Pick colours with the Colour Picker or fill it with the Fill Type drop-down.
You can also outline text by converting it into a vector shape. This gives more customisation options but, at the same time, makes it a bit harder to edit the text later. After finalising your text, use the Text tool to create a layer and right-click it to Convert to Shape.
You can — after adding your text and turning it into an outline via the instructions above, you can add a stroke layer effect. Once that’s done, click the plus sign ( + ) next to the Stroke effect on the left side of the Layer Style box. A second stroke appears above the first one. You may add up to 10 strokes.
After adding your strokes, you’ll want to change the position, the opacity or the colour.
Yes, you can add an outline to text in Photoshop. This can be done using the "Stroke" layer style, which adds a stroke (outline) to the outside of the text. You can adjust the size, colour and position of the stroke to suit your needs. To apply a stroke, select the text layer in the Layers panel, then go to Layer > Layer Style > Stroke. You can also access this option by right-clicking on the text layer and choosing "Layer Style > Stroke." This feature works with any font in Photoshop.
Unfortunately, it isn’t currently possible to outline text using Photoshop on the iPad. You can only customise text by changing fonts, opacity etc. You can, however, save this file in the cloud and outline the text on another device.
It’s possible to outline shapes using the Layer Style menu. Other methods for outlining shapes include the eraser tool to create white space around the edge of the shape or the Pen tool to click around the edge of the shape to create paths. You may then use the stroke command to stroke that path with your preferred colour(s).
Find the Creative Cloud plan that’s right for you.
Adobe Photoshop Single App
Get Photoshop on desktop and iPad as part of Creative Cloud.
Creative Cloud Pro
Annual, billed monthly
Get 20+ Creative Cloud apps, including Photoshop on desktop and iPad.
Students and Teachers
Annual, billed monthly
Save over 75% on 20+ Creative Cloud Pro.
Business
Alternatively at A$157.99/mo (A$1,895.88/yr)per license incl. GST
Industry-leading creative apps with simple licence management.
Purchase by phone: 1800 907 119
title
How to outline text in Adobe Photoshop.
ContentType
Features
tags
caas:content-type/features,caas:products/photoshop,caas:product-categories/photo,caas:features/text-and-fonts
description
Learn what it means to outline text, when and why to outline text and how to outline text in Adobe Photoshop using different methods.
cardImage
cardImageAltText
How to outline text in Adobe Photoshop.
