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How do I insert text into an image in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Text 4 mins read

Inserting text into an image in Photoshop is a fundamental task, easily achieved using the Type tool. Here's a breakdown of how to do it:

Steps to Add Text to an Image:

  1. Open Your Image: Launch Photoshop and open the image you want to work with by going to File > Open.

  2. Select the Type Tool: In the Tools panel (usually on the left side of your screen), find the Type tool (it looks like a "T"). You have several options:

    • Horizontal Type Tool: For standard horizontal text.
    • Vertical Type Tool: For vertical text.
    • Horizontal Type Mask Tool: Creates a text-shaped selection.
    • Vertical Type Mask Tool: Creates a vertical text-shaped selection.

    For most cases, the Horizontal Type Tool is what you'll use.

  3. Click and Type: Click on the image where you want the text to appear. A text layer will automatically be created. Start typing your desired text.

  4. Adjust Text Settings: While your text layer is selected, you can customize the following via the Options Bar at the top of the screen or the Character panel (Window > Character):

    • Font: Choose your preferred font.
    • Font Size: Adjust the size of the text.
    • Font Color: Change the color of the text. Click the color swatch in the Options Bar.
    • Font Style: Set bold, italic, etc., if available for the font.
    • Alignment: Align text left, center, or right.
    • Kerning, Tracking, Leading: Adjust the spacing between letters, words, and lines.

  5. Move and Transform: Once you're happy with the text, you can move it by selecting the Move tool (V) and dragging it to the desired location. To resize or rotate the text:

    • Make sure the text layer is selected.
    • Go to Edit > Free Transform (or press Ctrl+T or Cmd+T).
    • Drag the handles to resize, rotate, or skew the text.
    • Press Enter (or click the checkmark in the Options Bar) to commit the changes.

  6. Blending Options (Optional): You can add effects to your text layer like shadows, glows, and bevels.

    • Double-click the text layer in the Layers panel to open the Layer Style dialog box.
    • Experiment with different blending options like Drop Shadow, Outer Glow, Bevel & Emboss, etc.

  7. Rasterize (Optional but sometimes Necessary): Rasterizing a text layer turns it into pixels, making it no longer editable as text. You might do this if you are experiencing font compatibility issues or need to apply certain filters that don't work on type layers.

    • Right-click on the text layer in the Layers panel.
    • Select "Rasterize Type".
    • Caution: Once rasterized, you cannot edit the text.

  8. Save Your Work: Save your image as a PSD file (to preserve layers for future editing) or as a flattened format like JPEG or PNG for sharing.

Example:

Let's say you have an image of a beach and want to add the text "Summer Vacation" to it in a bright yellow color. You would:

  1. Open the beach image in Photoshop.
  2. Select the Horizontal Type Tool.
  3. Click on the image near the top.
  4. Type "Summer Vacation".
  5. In the Options Bar, change the font to a playful font like "Comic Sans MS" (though maybe a different font would be better!), the size to 72, and the color to yellow.
  6. Use the Move tool to position the text attractively over the beach scene.
  7. Save the image as a JPEG.

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