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Do you want to learn how to quickly add shadow to text in Photoshop? Then, you’ve come to the right place!

Adding shadow to text in Photoshop is a valuable skill to acquire. It can give your images and designs a captivating, three-dimensional, and glossy appearance. Once you master this technique, the creative possibilities become boundless, allowing you to unleash your imagination.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to add shadow to text in Photoshop to make your designs pop.

Let’s get started!

Why Add Drop Shadow to Text?

how to add shadow to text in photoshop

Adding shadow to text in Photoshop is a skill that can benefit everyone. Not only can it enhance your text styles, but it can also be used for images and icons. 

While drop shadows may not be commonly used, they still have their place for headers, buttons, watermarks, and images.

Knowing how to add shadows to text opens up countless creative possibilities, allowing you to craft better designs. 

However, many people either don’t know how to use shadows properly or go overboard with them, resulting in an unprofessional look. 

So, let’s strike a balance and learn how to apply just the right amount of drop shadows to keep our designs clean and polished.

How to Add Shadow to Text in Photoshop (Step-by-Step)

Learning to add shadows to text in Photoshop is easy. Let’s start with creating a white or transparent background to add text and shadows.

Create a White or Transparent Background

Step 1. To get started, create a new document in Photoshop by selecting File > New and then clicking Create. Choose a white or transparent background.

Create a White or Transparent Background

We now have a blank canvas to add the text.

Type Your text

Step 2. Okay, so here’s what we’re gonna do next. First, we’ll create a Text Layer, and then we’ll work our magic to add a Drop Shadow effect. 

Navigate to the left tool menu in Photoshop and click on the Horizontal Type Tool to create the text.

how to add shadow to text in photoshop

Then, simply type your text using your preferred text color, size, and font style. 

Add Drop Shadow to Text

Step 3. Now, in your Layers panel, click on the FX icon at the bottom of the panel and this will open a window with Blending Options where you can choose Drop Shadow.

how to add shadow to text in photoshop

Additionally, you can also choose Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow from the main menu.

how to add shadow to text in photoshop

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Make Adjustments to the Drop Shadow

Step 4. Once you’ve chosen Drop Shadow in Blending Options, a new window will open where you can adjust the drop shadow’s settings.

Make Adjustments to the Drop Shadow

You can choose the color of your choice for the drop shadow and press OK. In this example, we’ll choose Black.

To adjust the angle, you can use the Conversion Ratio. We recommend trying out 45 or 150 degrees as they tend to work well with simple text but feel free to play around with the angles.

In addition, there are other adjustments like Distance, Spread, and Size (which we’ll explain in more detail in Step 5).

When it comes to adding shadows in Photoshop, it’s important to keep in mind that hard, dark shadows often appear artificial.

You have the freedom to choose what works best for your image but remember that real-world shadows are typically soft and subtle. This will create a more realistic look.

Also, to enhance the realism of your drop shadow, consider moving it around a little. The default position is usually fine, but if you want to make adjustments, you can use the Angle slider to rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise to your liking.

Fine Tuning Your Drop Shadow

Step 5. Alright, let’s now dive into customizing the drop shadow, which is the final step. To tweak its appearance, we’ll play around with four sliders: Distance, Spread, Size, and Opacity.

  • Distance: This changes the distance of your shadow from your text
  • Spread: This setting controls how wide your drop shadow is in relation to the layer
  • Size: This adjusts the size of the shadow and will make it wider or narrower
  • Opacity: Lastly, you can also change the opacity of your shadow by dragging the Opacity Slider
Fine Tuning Your Drop Shadow

So, go ahead and play around with these sliders to witness how different settings can alter the look of your text and shadow. 

And once you’re happy with your settings, click OK to exit the Drop Shadow window and that’s it!

You’ve now learned how to add shadow to text in Photoshop!

FAQ

What’s the use of adding shadow to text in Photoshop?

Text shadow is a technique where you add layers to the text, creating a shadow effect. It can be used to enhance, highlight, or give depth to specific text, making it visually appealing.

Should I use drop shadow on text?

When you’re working with text overlay on an image and there are multiple colors in the background, using a drop shadow can make a big difference.

For example, if you have black text, it might blend in with the darker parts of the image, making it hard to read.

On the other hand, using a drop shadow with a contrasting color can help the text stand out and be more easily readable.

When to not use drop shadow in text?

Drop shadows can make the text less readable, so if making it too dramatic, it can make the text difficult to read. Try to always aim for a soft and realistic shadow.

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We hope this guide helped you learn how to quickly add shadow to text in Photoshop. If you found this blog post useful, you may also want to check out the following resources:

Stina Pettersson

Professional Blogger

Stina is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, and professional blogger who's passionate about real estate photo editing, being outdoors with her pup, and sweaty gym sessions. She loves the written word and has been writing for publications like Forbes and Thrive Global. Originally from Sweden, she's called South Florida her home since 2013.

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