Photoshop CC 2015 changed all of that by allowing us to stack Layer Styles on a single object making it much easier to create the multiple stroke effect. Each stroke had to be applied to a separate Smart Object which meant that if you did want to edit the text, you would often need to open multiple Smart Objects to drill down to the actual text object to make an edit, after which you’d perform multiple save/close operations to complete the edit. Smart Objects are amazing, don’t get me wrong, but this technique had its limitations. This was a powerful feature as it allowed us to edit the text if needed while still maintaining the overall stroke effect that we wanted. Not only could we get the desired look, but the text also remained live. With the advent of Smart Objects in Photoshop we gained a powerful tool to achieve the effect of having multiple strokes on text. Keep in mind, there was a time when Photoshop didn’t have layers! To be fair, it’s always been possible, but the methods used to achieve the result haven’t always been ideal. Since the very first time I launched Adobe Photoshop, I’ve had project after project where I’ve wanted to add more than one stroke to text in a design. Editing the text is as simple as choosing the Type tool and double-clicking in the main window. Repeat the group and stroke application as many times as you wish. Begin with steps 1 and 2 above, but then, instead of converting the text to a Smart Object, choose New Group from Layers in the Layers panel fly-out menu. Those of you with Photoshop CS6 can take advantage of a new feature: the ability to apply layer styles to a group. You can also edit the text later in your project by repeating this step. You can now add more strokes, if you wish. psb files in the order in which Photoshop opened them. But finally, you’ll be able to make edits by choosing the Type tool and clicking inside the text.īe sure to close the. psb.ĭepending on how many strokes you applied, you’ll have to double-click the Smart Object icon in the Layers panel and say OK to that File > Save message two, three, or more times. psd, but look closely at the file name: It ends in. The contents will appear identical to your. Once you click OK, Photoshop opens a new file. Photoshop then displays a message that tells you to choose File > Save after you make your edits to the contents of the Smart Object, and to save the edited file in the same location. Step 6: Edit the Textĭouble-click the Smart Object icon in the Layers panel: Now you can add an infinite number of strokes by repeating steps 3 and 4.īut what if you realize you made a typo? No need to start from scratch-you’re too “Smart” for that. In the Layer Style dialog, choose a new Stroke Color and, if you like, a new Stroke Size.Ĭlick OK, and the results will look like this: Once again, go to the Layers panel, click the fx icon, and mouse down to the word Stroke. You’ll know it works when Photoshop changes the brackets around the Type layer and adds a funky icon to the lower-right corner of the layer. In the Layers panel fly-out menu, choose Convert to Smart Object. Step 3: Convert the Text to a Smart Object The result will look something like this: In the Color Picker dialog, choose a color for the stroke that will be next to the fill color in the type.īack in the Layer Style dialog, select a stroke Size in the Structure area. In the Fill Type area, click on the Color swatch. More after the jump! Continue reading below↓įree and Premium members see fewer ads! Sign up and log-in today. In the Layers panel, click the fx icon and go down to the word Stroke. Select Photoshop’s Type Tool (T) and type a word. If you have Photoshop CS6, see the end of this tutorial for an even easier method. Once you know one simple trick-converting your text into a Smart Object-you can easily add multiple strokes, each with its own color and size. If you use CS5 or earlier, Photoshop’s Smart Objects is the better choice. There is a workaround that involves making copies of your text, each with its own stroke of a different size, but it’s laborious, especially if you need to edit the text after you build up a couple copies. Have you ever tried to add more than one stroke to text using Photoshop’s Layer Styles panel? You can’t do it the traditional way.