How to Make Text Transparent in Photoshop

A transparent text can add effects to your real estate photography edits. However, you must do it seamlessly so viewers can still read the text. For this reason, I'm giving you a step-by-step guide on the different ways how to make the text transparent in Photoshop.

How to Make the Text Transparent in Photoshop

You can make transparent text in Photoshop by creating a transparent outline of the text within a shape. You can also use Layer Style's Stroke effect and Bevel and Emboss settings to make texts transparent in images or designs. You'll need to modify the Blending Options to get your desired transparency.

Photoshop allows you to create various typography effects. Despite that, there's no transparent option in the color palette. The good thing is that there are various ways to make transparent texts in Photoshop.

Method 1: Creating a Transparent Text Within A Shape

The first way to make transparent text in Photoshop is to create a border behind the text or put the text inside a shape. You will normally encounter this style in real estate marketing efforts, including social media posters and website headers.

Step 1: Create the Shape and Text

The advantage of this technique is that you can move the text to any position within the shape, and it will remain transparent because of the underlying layer.

1. Use the Shape tool to form a rectangle in your real estate photo or a blank document. First, go to the Toolbar, then click and hold the Shape tool. Next, pick the Rectangle tool from the options.
2. Press V to launch the Move tool if you need to adjust the shape's size and position.
3. Modify your Fill and Stroke options for the shape. The shape's color can be anything that suits your design.
4. Press T to open the Text tool.
5. Choose your font, then click outside the shape to create a new text layer.
6. Select the text layer, then press V to use the Move tool to place the text within the shape.
7. The shape and text layer should now overlap. Double-click on the text layer to launch the Layer Style Panel.

Step 2: Modify the Layers

The next part involves adjusting the blending options of the layers to create a seamless effect.

1. Go to the Blending Options, and then find Advanced Blending.
2. Choose Shallow for the Knockout settings. The Knockout blending option enables you to control how layers will punch through to show the content from other layers.
3. Tick off the checkboxes for Blend Clipped Layers as Group and Transparency Shapes Layer.
4. Adjust the Fill Opacity value to 0%.
5. Click OK once you are satisfied with the settings.
6. Hold the Shift key while selecting the shape and text layers within the Layers panel.
7. Press Ctrl + G (Windows) or Command + G (Mac) to group the layers.
8. Rename the group to Transparent Text, and you'll see your transparent text within a colored shape.

Method 2: Creating a Transparent Bevel Text

Using the bevel and emboss settings is another way to make the text transparent in Photoshop. This is a common text effect among real estate posters and flyers because the text shows an object being raised from its position.

Step 1: Create the Bevel Effect

A bevel is a graphic design effect that highlights the inner and outer space, creating a 3D dimension.

1. Get the Text tool from the Toolbar.
2. Choose the font, including the size and color.
3. Type your text on the image or blank document.
4. Open the Layer Style Panel by double-clicking on the text layer.

Step 2: Modify the Bevel and Emboss Settings

This part depends on how much you want the bevel to take effect. Regardless, this should keep your text transparent. Keep the Preview box checked to see your adjustments in real time.

1. Go to the Blending Options tab. Set the Fill Opacity value to 0% to make the text invisible.
2. Go back to the Style panel and select the Bevel and Emboss option.
3. Select the Inner Bevel option for the Style setting. This option allows you to apply the bevel effect to the inside or outside of the text.
4. Set the Technique to Smooth and the Direction to Up.
5. For the Depth, choose anywhere between 10% and 1000%. This controls how clear the letters project from the background. The best effect typically ranges from 85% to 250%.
6. Be sure to adjust the Size to control the edge's softness or sharpness. For the Size, you can choose anywhere from 1px to 25px. This can depend on how evident you want the transparent text to appear.
7.  For the Soften setting, you can leave this around 1px to 10px. This is important for softening the overall effect.

Step 3: Add Some Shading

Shading can give a more realistic effect to the bevel and transparent text.

1. Tick the Use Global Light checkbox to add some shading. Click within the angle circle to adjust the shading effect's angle.
2. Check the Anti-Aliased checkbox to set the Gloss Contour.
3. Choose Normal for the Highlight Mode, then pick the white color.
4. You need to select Normal for the Shadow Mode as well, although the color must be black.
5. Adjust the Opacity level between 40% and 70%.
6. Click OK to save the Bevel and Emboss settings before exiting the Layer Style Panel.

Method 3: Making a Transparent Stroke Text

The third technique for creating transparent text in Photoshop is to use a stroke effect. A stroke is a colored outline surrounding a text in your designs. This effect enables the stroke to retain shape while keeping the text's center transparent.

Step 1: Make Your Text Design

Similar to the first method, you'll first need to create the text.

1. Press the T button on your keyboard to launch the Text tool.
2. Set the font, including its size and color.
3. Click anywhere on your document or photo to type the words.
4. With your text typed out, double-click on the text layer to launch the Layer Styles Panel.

Step 2: Adjust the Blending Options

This is an essential step where you'll control the opacity and stroke effect for transparency.

5. Look for the Blending Options tab under Advanced Blending. Adjust the Fill Opacity to 0%.
6. Move to the Stroke tab. Set the stroke's size depending on the font and size.
7. Set the Position option to Inside.
8. Choose Normal for the Blend Mode.
9. Set the Fill Type to Color. This allows you to pick any color you need for the stroke.
10. Save your changes once you are satisfied with the adjustments.

Related Questions

Conclusion

You can use shapes, the Stroke effect, and Bevel and Emboss settings to make transparent texts in Photoshop. Learning how to make the text transparent in Photoshop lets you do a range of creative edits to add depth to your real estate images.