How to Fill Text with an Image in Photoshop

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In the following tutorial, you'll learn how to fill text with an image in Photoshop.

Do you prefer video tutorials? Here's a new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel to learn how to fill text with images in Photoshop:

What You'll Learn in This Tutorial

How to add text in Photoshop
How to fill text in Photoshop
How to fill text with an image in Photoshop

What You'll Need

You will need the following resources as you learn how to fill text with an image in Photoshop:

Rockseed font
Road on tropical island photo

1. How to Add Text in Photoshop

Step 1

Open Photoshop and press Control-N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, and set the Width to 850 px and the Height to 484 px. Select RGB for the Color Mode and set the Resolution to 72 Pixels/Inch, and then click the Create button.

Step 2

First, let's see how you can add text in Photoshop. Pick the Type Tool (T) and focus on the Options bar to set the settings for the text that you're about to add.

Select the Rockseed font and set the size to 200 pt, and then just click on your canvas to type in the text. Make it black (R=0 G=0 B=0).

2. How to Fill Text With an Image in Photoshop

Step 1

Download this photo and simply drag it inside your document.

Keep it selected and focus on the Options bar to adjust its size. Make sure that the Maintain Aspect Ratio button is checked, and then increase the Width to about 1350 px.

Step 2

Open the Layers panel, select the photo, and go to Layer > Create Clipping Mask (Alt-Control-G). Alternatively, you can move the cursor between your photo and the text (in the Layers panel), hold down the Alt key, and click once.

3. How to Create the Background

Step 1

Keep focusing on the Layers panel, hold down the Alt key, and double-click that Background layer to unlock it. Select it and move to the toolbar.

Select the Paint Bucket Tool (G) and set the Foreground Color to R=25 G=60 B=26, and then just click inside your canvas to fill the selected layer with the foreground color.

Step 2

Again, drag this photo inside your document and keep the Width set to 850 px to make sure that it covers your entire canvas.

Move to the Layers panel and drag this new photo between the text and that green layer. Don't forget to lower its Opacity to 50%.

Step 3

Make sure that your bottom photo is still selected and go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. Check that Use Previous Layer... box and click OK. Increase the Hue to +60 and the Saturation to +50, and keep the Lightness at 0.

Step 4

Focus on the Layers panel and select the photo that fills your text. Again, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. Check that Use Previous Layer... box , click OK, and use the same settings from the previous step.

4. How to Style the Font Filled With an Image

Focus on the Layers panel and double-click your text to open the Layer Style window.

Click the Inner Shadow to activate it and then enter the settings shown below.

Click the Inner Glow to activate it and then enter the attributes shown in the following image.

Click the Drop Shadow to activate it and set the settings as shown below.

Click the plus button next to your Drop Shadow effect to duplicate it. Select the new effect and replace the existing settings with the ones shown in the following image.

5. How to Add Extra Shading

Step 1

Pick the Gradient Tool (G) and focus on the Options bar. Check that Radial Gradient button and then click the Gradient thumbnail to set the color of your gradient.

Double-click the left gradient slider and set the color to R=34 G=52 B=33, and then double-click the right one and set the color to R=253 G=247 B=225.

Step 2

Focus on the Layers panel and click that plus button from the bottom side to add a new layer. Drag it to the top of the panel and keep it selected.

Move to the canvas and use the Gradient Tool (G) to fill the selected layer with your radial gradient, roughly as shown below.

Step 3

Focus on the Layers panel and make sure that your top layer is still selected. Lower its Opacity to 50% and change the Blending Mode to Overlay.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Now that you know how to fill text with an image in Photoshop, feel free to use these techniques in your future projects.

You can find some great sources of inspiration at Envato Elements, with interesting solutions to improve your designs.

Popular Text Effects From Envato Elements

Now that you learned how to fill text with an image in Photoshop, you can head over to Envato Elements where you can get unlimited downloads of add-ons, music, graphics, photos, and fonts, and find inspiration on how to fill a font with an image.

These templates are a perfect example of how you can creatively fill text with images in Photoshop:

Keep it sweet and lovely with this detailed cookie text effect. The warm colors and the smooth outline will make your design stand out.

Foil Balloon Text Effect (PSD)

Take it to the next level with this realistic balloon text effect. The design is fully editable, so feel free to add your own text and adjust it as you wish.

Text Photoshop Action (ABR, ATN, PAT)

This effect could be the perfect solution if you're looking for a simple yet elegant design. Try these actions to easily fill text with images in Photoshop.