One way to get creative with text is to learn how to fill text with an image in Photoshop. This can give the text a unique look and theme, and it is easier to create than you’d expect! No selections or complicated tools are required.
Let’s see how it’s done.
Video Tutorial
How To Fill Text With Images In Photoshop
Step 1: Add Text Onto The Image Using The Type Tool (T)
You can add the text to your image using the Type Tool (T).
You can then click anywhere on the document to create a new text box and type in the word or words you’d like to fill with the image. For this effect to work best, you’ll need a bold font – the thicker your font, the more of the image will show through. To select a font and set the size, change the settings in the Options Bar.
Step 2: Move The Image Layer Above The Text, Right-Click And Select Create Clipping Mask
To add the image to the text, unlock the background image layer by clicking the lock icon to the right of it. Then, drag the text layer below the image layer.
You’ll only see the image—it will look like the text has disappeared. Then, Right-click or Control + click the image layer and select Create Clipping Mask.
The image will be “clipped” to fill the text layer. In the Layers Panel, you’ll see a small arrow pointing from the Image Layer to the Text Layer, representing the clipping mask.
Step 3: Go To Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color To Add A New Background (Optional)
The background will be transparent, but you can change it to a colored background by adding a new fill layer and placing it behind the text and image layers. However, if you want a transparent background, stop here and export your project as a PNG.
Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to change the background.
In the New Layer window that comes up, you can name your layer if you’d like and click OK. You’ll then see the Color Picker window appear. Click the color you’d like to fill the layer with.
You’ll see the fill layer currently covers the project’s text and image. To place the layer behind the image and text, click and drag it to the bottom of the stack. The text with the clipped image will appear in front of the fill layer, the solid color making up the background.
Step 4: Go To Layer Styles > Drop Shadow (Optional)
Finally, you can add a drop shadow to the text as a finishing touch. To add a drop shadow, head to the Layers Panel and double-click the Text Layer.
The Layer Styles window will appear with a variety of settings. On the left, click the Drop Shadows box near the bottom of the list.
You’ll see various settings that will adjust the drop shadow in different ways. The main settings you’ll want to focus on are the Opacity, the Distance from the text, the Size, which will soften the shadow, the Angle, and the Spread.
Adjust these as you see fit. For my project, I’ll use a more subtle shadow sitting behind the text to help it stand out against the background.
How To Move Your Image Within A Text Layer In Photoshop
You may want to move the image so that a different area of the image appears as the fill of the text. To do this, go to the Layers Panel and click the Image Layer. Then, click the Move Tool (V).
Click the image layer and drag the cursor until you’re happy with the placement.
Now, the effect is finished. You can export the text as it is or use it as a basis for your project. You can see my guide to saving images in Photoshop if you aren’t sure how to wrap up your project!
