Create a text portrait in Adobe Photoshop

Published on July 1, 2022

Create a text portrait

In this blog I’ll show you how to create a text portrait in Adobe Photoshop!

Rather watch the video tutorial? Then click here or scroll down to the end of this page.

Download the images I used:
Portrait
Word cloud

Step 1: Prepair image

Open the photo or image you want to place inside of the text. I’m using an image with text. You can also type your own text, in that case use the horizontal type tool and type your text over the photo or image you want to place inside of the text. Then continue with unlocking the background layer (see step 2) and follow the rest of the steps.

If you’re also using an image with text, open that file. Your text image needs to have a transparent background. If your image doesn’t have a transparent background, remove the background first. If you don’t know how to do that, read this blog to learn how to remove a solid background.

Step 2: Create text portrait

Select the move tool and drag the text towards the file with your photo or image. Place the text over the photo. Press CTRL+T to activate free transform. You can now resize or move the text.

Unlock your background layer (the layer with the image or photo you want to place inside the text). Drag this layer above the text layer. Then navigate to ‘Layer > Create clipping mask‘ or press ALT+CTRL+G. Your image is now inside of the text.

Step 3: Add background

Create a solid color layer to add a background. I make my background black, but you can also use a different color.

Drag the color fill layer below the other layers. Your background is now behind the text portrait.

Step 4: Adjust text portrait

You can still adjust the placement of the image inside of the text. To do that, select that layer and select the move tool. Then press CTRL+T to activate free transform. You can now adjust the size and the placement of the image, without adjusting the text.

If you only want to adjust the text, without it affecting the image, select the text layer. Again select the move tool and press CTRL+T. You can now move or resize your text, without making changes to the image.

If you want to move or resize both the text and the image, select both layers. Again select the move tool and press CTRL+T. You can now adjust the entire text portrait!

And that’s how you create a text portrait in Adobe Photoshop. You can see the result below!