PicMonkey Help & Support

Putting Photos Inside Text or Graphics (Masking)

Putting an image inside text or graphics is called masking. To create an image mask in your design, start with some text that is bold and thick enough to let an image show through, or a shape graphics. We’re going to show you how to use make the photo show inside the text and graphics.

Quick steps for making image masks:

  1. Select a text or graphic layer to fill with an image

  2. Click Fill with image on the tool palette & choose an image

  3. Select Edit image fill on the Text Tools panel

  4. Adjust the image behind your text or shapes, then click Done

Add text or graphics to your canvas

  1. Head to PicMonkey.com and start with a blank canvas.

  2. Place the graphics or type the text onto your canvas that you want to fill with images. Use a font with chunky letters so your picture will show through.

Choose a chunky font for filling with an image so more of the photo shows through

3.  Select a layer (or multi-select 2 or more layers) that you want to fill with an image. Use the Layers panel or simply click the layer(s) on the canvas.

4. Click the Fill with image button on the left Text Tools panel, or Graphic Tools panel. Choose an image from stock photos, your desktop or elsewhere to fill the layer.

Adjust the image mask

Before you finish applying your mask, you can transform it by rotating it, flipping it, changing its size, and moving it around within the confines of the shape mask. Move the Saturation slider to make your mask more or less colorful.

Add additional image masks to different layers

Why stop with just one image mask when you don't have to? Select another layer of your design, like a shape graphic, and repeat the exact same steps above. If you put an image-filled layer on top of another one, play with the Blend Mode to experiment with different looks.

Edit your layer post-mask

Once your mask layer is applied, you can continue to edit the text or graphic layer just like you normally would, including cropping, resizing, adding a shadow or outline, or erasing parts off.

To replace or delete the image fill select the layer you want to modify, click Edit image fill on the Text Tools panel or Graphic Tools panel. You can select a new image to fill your layer, or just delete the existing one.


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