How to Make a Gradient in Photoshop

Regardless of the color, a real estate logo or an image cutout with a solid background color might not be aesthetically appealing. Learning how to make a gradient in Photoshop will help you transform the solid color into an appealing color gradient.

How to Make a Gradient in Photoshop

The color gradient is the gradual blending and transitioning from one color to another, forming a range of position-dependent colors. Photoshop allows you to create gradients using multiple colors of the same tone, like navy blue and light blue, or different tones like yellow and blue.

In most cases, you will use gradients in Photoshop to fill a region, such as the background of a text in a Photoshop document, or to create an appealing background for an image after removing the initial background. The following steps will help you create gradient presets and apply gradient fills.

Create a New Document

The easiest way to create a new document in Photoshop is from Photoshop's Home Screen. Usually, this is when you launch Photoshop without opening an image. You can also go to the home screen by closing all open documents in Photoshop.

You can also navigate to File in the top bar menu and then choose New or hit the keyboard shortcut keys Ctrl + N if you are using a Windows PC or Command + N if you are using a Mac. It's advisable to leave the resolution to 72 pixels/inch and the background white.

Although you can input custom document canvas sizes, it's advisable to use preset document sizes, especially if you are a beginner. Usually, this will open a blank canvas where you can create the gradient fill, import an image, or add text. 

Pick the Gradient Tool

You can pick the gradient tool in Photoshop by clicking on the rectangular gradient icon from the toolbar on the left side of the interface. You can also open it by hitting the G key on the keyboard. 

If you can’t locate the tool, you can click and hold the paint bucket tool on the toolbar and then select the gradient tool from the list of the options that pop up. Usually, a new gradient bar with the default gradient colors will appear on the top bar.

Open the Gradient Editor

The Photoshop gradient editor allows you to apply the gradient fill using the preset gradients or create custom gradients by adding, removing, and rearranging colors. It also allows you to adjust the color transition, blend, and even apply transparency to the gradient.

You will have an option to use the Gradient Editor, which will give you the ability to adjust the gradient fill or apply a simple gradient using the Gradient Picker presets. Usually, the Gradient Editor is the best option for your real estate jobs as you can make a unique gradient and save.  

For the Gradient Picker, you can click on the small drop-down arrow on the right-hand side of the gradient preview bar and choose a preset. If there is no preset to use, use the following steps to create a custom gradient or adjust an existing preset.

Open the Editor Dialog Box

You can open the Gradient Editor dialog box by clicking on the gradient preview bar. Keep in mind that clicking on the arrow area will open the Gradient Picker. 

Usually, the Gradient Editor is divided into two sections, with the lower section being the editing section and the upper section being the presets area, just like the Gradient Picker.

Choose a Gradient Preset

Instead of creating a new gradient from scratch, it’s advisable to choose a preset from the upper section of the dialog box and use it as a starting point. It’s advisable to pick a preset almost similar to the gradient fill you want. 

You can also load more preset sets by clicking on the gear icon. Typically, the different gradient preset sets feature the following different themes:

• Color Harmonies 1
• Color Harmonies 2
• Spectrums
• Special Effects
• Simple
• Photographic Toning
• Pastels
• Metals
• Noise Samples
• Neutral Density

You can append the new preset to the existing ones and make them appear below the initial ones by clicking on Append. However, it’s advisable to replace the initial presets with the new ones to avoid clutter. 

Customize the Gradient

Click on a thumbnail on the upper side of the dialog to pick one of the presets. Since you want to customize, choose a simple gradient such as a Black, White preset, and then follow the steps below to customize it.

1. The preset gradient you have selected will appear on the gradient bar. Start by setting the Gradient Type to Solid to smooth the color transition.
2. The color stops on both ends of the gradient bar are indicated as small square color swatches. Click on the first color stop box on the left, and then click on the color swatch to choose the color you want to transition from in the color picker that pops up.
3. Click the second stop box on the right, and then click on the color swatch to choose the color you want to transition to in the color picker that pops up. Alternatively, you can double-click the small stop box to open the color picker.
4. Usually, there will be a little diamond-shaped icon right below the gradient bar that shows the midpoint of the color blending. You can change this point by clicking and dragging the icon to the right or the left. Typically, the midpoint shifting will also reflect as a percentage on the Location option, which you can still use to input the midpoint directly.
5. If you want a transition of multiple colors, you can add another color by placing the mouse arrow right below the gradient bar where you want the new color. 
6. Once the mouse arrow changes to a hand icon, click to add a color stop. You can then double-click on the box to open the color picker.
7. You can rearrange the colors by entering a percentage of the right or left shift you want for the selected color. For instance, entering 50% in the Location options will shift the selected color to the middle of a three-color gradient.
8. You can remove a color from the gradient by clicking on its stop box and then dragging it down until the box disappears. 
9. Once the gradient is set, you can save it as a preset for easier application. Enter the name of the preset in the Name field, click New to add the preset as one of the thumbnails of the existing presets, and then click OK to close the editor.

Apply the Gradient

Choose a gradient style such as angle, radial, or linear from the Options Bar. Choose your preset and apply the gradient by clicking and dragging the cursor across your canvas. Usually, an arrow will appear showing the direction of the gradient. You can also reverse it by ticking the Reverse check box.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Draw a Perfectly Horizontal Gradient?

You can draw a near-perfect horizontal gradient by holding the Shift key on your keyboard to limit your drawing angle. Note that you should release the mouse button before releasing the Shift key for the method to work.

How Can I Make a Gradient Transparent in Photoshop?

You can make the gradient transparent in Photoshop by choosing the Foreground to Transparent option in the Gradient Editor. You can then apply the effect as a normal gradient by clicking and dragging on your canvas.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to make a gradient in Photoshop can help make your real estate cutouts and logos unique. Instead of limiting yourself to Photoshop presets, you can use the Gradient Editor to customize your gradient with multiple colors and midpoints.