How to make a see-through to image text effect in Photoshop
This is a really simple trick to creating an ordinary photograph with some text into an engaging image. I also have a GIMP version!
See-Through Text Effect in Photoshop
1. Starting
- Open your chosen image in Photoshop
- Now, add a New Layer – Fill with a colour that matches:
- I used a Dark Blue: 1a2932
Starting-Photograph and Colour (Click to view larger)
2. Adding Text
- Grab the Text Tool – make a text box, same size as image
- Type your ‘text’ in capitals
- Settings: Font: Gill Sans Ultra Bold, Size: 720px, Justify: Right, Spacing: 600, -100, (Dependent on image size, mine is: 4592×3506 pixels)
- Space out your text best as possible, as shown:
- Click the image to check settings:
Adding Text (Click to view larger)
3. Selecting
- Now on Text layer, go Right Click –> Rasterize Layer
- Then, go Select –> Color Range…
- Click on text, with 0 Fuzziness:
Selecting Text (Click to view larger)
3.b. Add Vector Mask (UPDATE)
- Select your Text Layer while holding Ctrl/Cmd:
- Then select your Image Layer (make sure it is unlocked – double click), and Add Vector Mask:
- Uncheck the Text Layer and make sure you have the same layer arrangement as below:
Add Vector Mask
3.c. Create Clipping Mask (Update-thanks to Kevin)
- Have your layers arranged in the order below: Photo, Test, Background Colour
- Then simply, select your Image Layer (make sure it is unlocked – double click), and ‘Right Click’ > Create Clipping Mask:
- Thanks Kevin for the detailed advice!
Create Clipping Mask on Photo
4. Deleting Text
- Now, delete Text
- Then on Colour layer: Press delete again (same selection)
- You should now have a see-through text outline and the photograph below!
Deleting Text (Click to view larger)
That’s it!
Download the PSD!
If you get stuck anywhere just comment below!
If you’d like to use these photographs please Contact Me!
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Written by Mike
Michael Scott is the publisher and photographer behind Scott Photographics! He is very passionate about his photography and enjoys sharing the best of his experiences for others to enjoy too! Contact Mike via email!
15 Comments
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Hi Jame,
I’m not too sure whats going exactly, however to unlock your background layer, just double click on the layer and this will create it as a normal layer.
I hope that works, let me know otherwise.
Cheers,
Mike
Its next to impossible for me. In photoshop the background is locked and Rasterize Layer is greyed so i am not able to select that as well. Whereas in Gimp my picture is not in background so when when i click clear it comes out white. :( Please help.
cool… thank u
Very cool tutorial!
wow how is cute
Hi Ann,
Very good, thank you!
I have explained the clipping mask in 3.c, but you’ve managed to make it even simpler!
Waaaaay to complicated. Should be done like this:
1) Create Text layer
2) Create layer with Image on top of the text layer
3) Alt+click on the border between the two layers in the layers panel.
That’s it.
Thanks for the feedback Jason!
Nice photo!
Michael Scott? Dunder Miflen paper company? (Reference to The Office TV series.)
Not even it can be done differently – it should be done differently. I would use a clipping mask. You can then even put different images behind each picture to get a good effect and like anon said it’s non-destructive and easily editable.
Ok, thanks Anon for the tip – I’ll have to make an adjustment to the tutorial, as a secondary option.
*non destructive
Didn’t like. It can be done with an alpha mask which is better since it’s non constructive and it allows further modification.