Whether you’re designing a logo, website header, or any other graphic design project, at some point, you will need to make text background transparent in Photoshop. This is a common task when you want to place text on different backgrounds or maybe stack your design on top of some images. However, Photoshop provides several methods some of which even beginners can follow to make the background of text transparent.
In this tutorial guide, we will show you how to make text backgrounds transparent in Photoshop. We will cover everything from the basics to advanced techniques.
When to Make Background of Text Transparent?
Before we get into the steps, we need to understand why you would want to make the background of the text transparent. Images with transparent backgrounds come in handy for a number of reasons:
- Layering: Transparent text can be layered over other images or backgrounds without a rectangular block around it, which gives your design a cleaner and a more professional look.
- Web Design: You may need a transparent background for web design, so that your text will blend with the particular background color correction or image of the website.
- This is in one way similar to the logo Creation: While creating a logo, transparent background helps you keep your logo valid for use into every different coloured backgrounds without any unwanted edges or border.
- Social Media Graphics: If you’re designing a graphic for Instagram or Facebook, your text can sit on top of images or photos without a background.
Now, let’s find out how to make text with a transparent background in Photoshop.
How to Make Text Background Transparent in Photoshop:
Select the layer containing the text in Photoshop.
Step 1: Open a New Document
First, you have to make or open a project where you are going to work with your text. If you are starting a new project:
- Launch Photoshop and click on File > New.
- Configure your canvas size (Width, Height)
- Change Background Contents to Transparent That way, when you open the canvas, it’ll automatically have a transparent background.
- For opening an existing project or image choose File > Open.
Step 2: Add Your Text
- Activate the Text Tool (T) from the left toolbar or by pressing (T) keyboard.
- To do so, click anywhere in the canvas and input your text.
- Go to the Character Panel (Window > Character) to set the font, size, etc. according to your preference.
By now you should have your text in place on your canvas, but the background is still showing through (usually a solid color or white background, depending on the program you are using).
Step 3: Place the Text on a Layer
Then if you want to have full control over your text you need to turn the text object into a normal layer. Here’s how:
- Then right-click on the text layer in the Layers Panel.
- Choose Convert to Smart Object. This will grant you creative freedom and give you the power of non-destructive editing.
Note: You may also choose to rasterize it if you want to apply particular effects or manipulate the text more freely. But, if you’ll need to edit the text later, I’d suggest converting it to a smart object.
Step 4: Remove Background Around Text
Refine the background removal around the text in the image. To achieve this transparency for the text’s background, do the following:
- With the text layer still selected, from the menus at the top of the screen, choose the Layer menu.
- Choose Layer Style > Blending Options
- Double-click the layer you wish to edit to open the Blending Options window.
- Under the Blend If section, drag the white slider to your right until your background color (or whatever color your background is) disappears.
- For a more manual approach, use the Magic Wand Tool (W) to select and delete the background.
- Select your background and click the area you want to be transparent with the Magic Wand Tool.
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard to clear the area you selected.
Step 5: Refine the Edges
In some cases, the edges of the text will look rough or jagged when you remove the background. To smooth out these edges:
- Select the text layer and navigate to Layer > Matting > Remove White Matte. This will remove any leftover background pixels that might still be there.
- If you see fringing, select the Eraser Tool (E) and erase off any unwanted pixels around the text.
- Saving an image with transparent background
- If you have deleted the background from your text, now you can save your file.
- Go to File > Save As.
- Select PNG format in the dialog box. PNG has transparency, allowing the text background to stay transparent and clear when used in other projects.
- Click Save.
- When saving the file as a PNG, make sure to select Transparency.
For better results, follow editing tips like adjusting anti-aliasing or applying a slight feather to smooth edges and enhance text quality
Step 6: Export Your Transparent Text to Use
Exporting the file You may want to use that transparent text on other things, like a website or an advertisement, for example. Here’s how:
- Select File > Export > Export As.
- Then select PNG from the file types.
- Choose resolution and other options, then Export.
Step 7: How to Make Text Background Transparent in Photoshop?
Here are a few things you can do to maximize your transparent text.
- High Contrast: If you intend to layer your text on top of different backgrounds, use high contrast text from the background for clear readability.
- Anti Alias: This option in the text tool smoother the edge of the text. If you select the Text Tool, you can choose the anti-aliasing method (Sharp, Crisp, Strong, or Smooth) in the top toolbar.
- Layer Masks: If you want greater control over where to keep visible or transparent, layer masks are the way to go. Layer masks are simply one more of the rather powerful tools available within Open Source that lets you effectively erase portions of your layer without actually deleting them permanently.
- Edit with Smart Objects: Leave it a smart object if you plan to edit the text later. It will allow you to continue editing without losing quality.
Step 8: Frequently Encountered Problems and Solutions
Making a text background transparent in Photoshop is a pretty standard operation, but you can run into a couple of potential problems. Here are some common issues you could face, along with their solutions:
- Text is not transparent:
Are you not seeing transparency in your text with the above steps? Make sure the background layer is visible and that there is no other layer conflicting with transparency. In the New Document dialog box, make sure that your background setting selected is Transparent.
- Fringed Edge:
If removing the background leaves you with a fringe or glow around your text, you can try using the Remove White Matte function, or you can use the Eraser Tool to get in there and clean up the edges by hand.
- File Format Issues:
Other file formats, such as JPEG, don’t have the ability to create files with transparency. Make sure you are always saving your transparent text as a PNG or PSD file.
- Text Quality Decreases:
For projects where your text seems pixelated or blurry, use a higher resolution. If you are working with small text, excessively scaling it can lead to quality loss.
Conclusion
In Photoshop, making the background of text transparent is an easy method, yet can add tremendous value to your design projects. When designing logos, web graphics, and social media visuals, transparent text makes it possible for you to achieve a clean and professional appearance.
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