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How to Outline and Stroke Text Layers in Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop provides a variety of text formatting options to help designers create visually appealing text effects. Two useful text effects are outlining text and adding strokes to text layers. Outlining text creates a border around the edges of the text. Stroking text adds a line centered on the edge of each letter. Used together or separately, these effects can make text stand out on the page.

Outlining Text Layers

Outlining text in Photoshop involves converting the text layer into a vector shape layer with a solid fill and stroke. Follow these steps:

  • Create a new text layer – Select the Type tool and add your desired text to the document. Use the Character panel to format the font, size, color, etc.
  • Right click the text layer > Convert to Shape – This will convert the point text into a vector shape while preserving the text appearance.
  • Open the Layer Style window – Double click on the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel or go to Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options.
  • Check Stroke and set options – Check the box for Stroke to add an outline. Set the stroke Size, Position, Blend Mode, Opacity, and Color.
  • Adjust fill settings – Back in the Layers panel, double click on the vector shape layer thumbnail to open the Fill settings. Adjust color, opacity, etc.

The key benefit of converting text to shapes is it unlocks layer style options like Stroke and allows you to manipulate the text as you would any other shape layer in Photoshop.

Stroking Text Layers

Stroking text adds a centered outline effect to text, similar to using a highlighter pen. Here is the process:

  • Create a new text layer – Select the Type tool and add your desired text. Format using the Character panel.
  • Open the Layer Style window – As before, double click the layer thumbnail or go to Layer > Layer Style.
  • Check Stroke and set options – Check the Stroke box and adjust settings like size, position, blend mode, opacity and color.
  • Adjust fill settings – Back in the Layers panel, double click to open the vector shape Fill settings.

The key difference from outlining text is that stroking applies a centered outline effect rather than converting the type layer itself into a shape layer. This allows non-destructive editing.

Tips for Outlined and Stroked Text

Here are some tips for working with outlined and stroked text in Photoshop:

  • Use a thick outline or stroke to make text stand out against busy backgrounds. Start with a 10-20 pixel stroke.
  • Try dark outlines and light fills or vice versa for contrast. For example, white text outlines against a dark background.
  • Lower the fill opacity to create see-through lettering with the outline showing through.
  • Experiment with blend modes like Overlay, Soft Light and Color Dodge to create glowing effects.
  • Use Layer Styles to add multiple strokes with different colors and blending options.
  • Use the Layer Style options to vary the stroke positioning – try outside, center or inside positions.
  • Animate stroked text by animating the stroke width – great for dynamic titles.
  • Convert stroked text to shapes if you need to manipulate the outline and fill separately.
  • Add a pattern overlay layer style for a textured stroke or fill.

Common Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about working with outlined and stroked text in Photoshop:

How do I edit the outlined or stroked text?

  • For stroked text, just select the Type tool and edit normally. For outlined text converted to shapes, use the Path Selection tool to manipulate the vector outlines as desired.

Can I use layer styles on regular text layers?

  • No, layer styles like Stroke and Pattern Overlay are only available for shape layers, groups, and type converted into shapes.

How do I remove the text outline or stroke effect?

  • Open the Layer Style window and uncheck the Stroke box. This removes the effect but keeps other formatting intact.

Can I use outlines and strokes on paragraph text?

  • Yes, the same Layer Style options work for both point and paragraph text. Convert paragraph text to shapes if you want to manipulate outlines individually.

Can I apply outlines and strokes to multiple text layers?

  • Yes, use Layer Styles to quickly copy and paste appearance settings from one text layer to others.

Conclusion

Learning how to outline and stroke text opens up creative possibilities for eye-catching text effects in Photoshop. Transforming text into vector shapes provides precise control over the fill color, opacity, blend modes and more. Layer styles offer a fast way to experiment with centered strokes. Combine these techniques to take text designs to the next level.

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