How to add text styles in Photoshop Elements

Give your text personality in seconds with preset styles. Drop shadows, glows, bevels, metallic finishes, and more — all applied with a single click from the Effects panel. No design experience needed.

Explore Photoshop Elements

What are text styles?

Text styles in Photoshop Elements are preset visual effects you can apply to any text layer with a single click. They include effects like drop shadows (which lift text off the photo background), outer glows, bevels, embossing, neon effects, and more. Each style is applied instantly and can be swapped or removed at any time.

They're particularly useful when you're placing text over a photo and want to make sure it's readable — a drop shadow or outline can make even light text stand out clearly against a busy background. But they're equally useful for adding decoration and personality to titles, cards, and creative projects.

Time required: About 3-5 minutes. Skill level: Beginner-friendly

JUMP TO STEP

Step 1: Add your text in Advanced mode

Step 2: Open the Styles panel

Step 3: Browse and apply a style

Step 4: Save your result

Before you begin, make sure you have:

Photoshop Elements installed and open on your computer. Don't have it yet? Start a free 7-day trial.
A photo you'd like to add text to.
Some text already in mind. You'll add it in the first step using the Type tool.

layout

1 | 2

style

Two up, xxl-spacing, xl-gap

Step 1: Add your text in Advanced mode

Open your photo in Advanced mode. In the toolbar on the left, click the Type tool — it looks like the letter T. Click anywhere on your photo and type your text. When you're done, click Done (the checkmark in the Tool Options bar) to confirm the text layer.

Tip: You can change the font, size, and color of your text before applying a style. It's easier to get those basics right first, since the style will be applied on top of whatever formatting you've already set.

Step 2: Open the Styles panel

With your text layer selected, look for the Styles icon in the panel on the bottom right side of the screen. Click it to open the Styles panel, which is where all the preset styles are stored.

Tip: Make sure your text layer is selected in the Layers panel. The Styles options are only active when a layer is selected.

Step 3: Browse and apply a style

The Styles panel has a dropdown menu at the top with categories of preset styles. Click the dropdown to browse categories like Drop Shadows, Outer Glows, Bevels, and more. Click on any style thumbnail to apply it to your text instantly.

You can try as many styles as you like — each one replaces the previous, so there's no need to undo between attempts. Just keep clicking until you find one that works.

Tip: Drop Shadow is the most practical style for making text readable over a photo. Even a subtle which style to choose. shadow gives the text definition and lifts it away from the background. Start there if you're not sure which style to choose.

Step 4: Save your result

Once you're happy with how the text looks, go to File > Save As and give your edited version a new name. This keeps your original photo safe and untouched on your computer.

Helpful hints for better results

Start with Drop Shadow for readability

If your goal is simply to make text readable over a photo, a drop shadow is the most reliable option. It works on almost any text color and background combination, and a subtle shadow looks more refined than a heavy one.

Match the style to the mood of the photo

A neon glow style suits a fun, energetic photo. A soft outer glow works well for something romantic or ethereal. A clean drop shadow is at home in almost any context. Spending a moment thinking about the mood of your photo before picking a style helps you find a better match.

Combine styles with other text techniques

Text styles work well alongside the Warp Text tool and Text on a Shape. You can place text on a shape path and then apply a style, or warp your text and add a glow on top. The effects stack, so you can build up a look that's uniquely yours.

You can always undo

Press Ctrl+Z on a PC or Command+Z on a Mac to undo any step. You can also remove a style completely by selecting No Style from the Effects panel dropdown, returning the text to its unstyled state.