How to Outline Text GIMP Tutorial

How to Outline Text

Posted by	kasrak
Created	Dec 31, 2006
Category	Tips & Tricks
Views	93,951
Favourites	6

A quick an easy way to add an outline to any text.

Step 1 Open up the GIMP if it's already not open and create a new file. The defaults are ok for the purposes of this tutorial.

Step 2 Now using the text tool (Shortcut: T), add some text to your canvas. I didn't make the color of the text have too much contrast with the color of the background. We'll make the text stand out by giving it a dark outline.

Step 3 While the text tool is still selected, select the text you just created. Next, go into tool options and click "Create Path from Text":

Step 4 Now create a transparent layer under your text layer. I called it "Outline":

Step 5 Then go to Select > From Path (Shortcut: Shift+V):

Step 6 Next, go to Select > Grow and select the width of your outline. I chose 5px. After you have grown the selection, fill it with the bucket tool (Shortcut: Shift+B). Then press Ctrl+Shift+A to Select None and there you have it: outlined text!

14 Comments

Aug 15, 2007, GimpUserJazmine said:

thanks ive been trying to find out how to outline
Nov 21, 2007, piminger said:

Are you serious? 6 steps to outline text?
Jan 27, 2009, mamboze said:

Since nobody else has thought to ask the obvious question, I will.

How would you do it then? Why not enlighten us?
Apr 12, 2009, relsqui said:

After you create the path from text, go to the paths window, right-click the text outline, and select "stroke path." Done in four steps.
Aug 15, 2009, AiYume said:

I just finished trying both methods. And perhaps it was the font I was using, but I got slightly different results. The original method looks nicer to me by placing the outline behind the original text. The 4-step method creates an effect over the text. It looks interesting and will have applications for some people, but it didn't give me what I was looking for.
Sep 11, 2009, tenebrae said:

Fabulous tut! This worked flawlessly save for one issue I had with v:2.6.6. For the record, I'm not sure if it's something with the version or if perhaps I'm missing something but what's happening is the layer remains above the text after choosing "select>none". A simple solution however was to select the text the layer belongs to then go to Layer > Stack > Raise Layer. The pathing may vary for different versions of the software.

Thanks again for the tut!
Sep 14, 2009, goodtimesathome said:

thanks for the tutorial. i accidentally closed a window and now can't seem to be able to find it. The image under step 3 above is the screen i've managed to make disappear. It is the one with the different font options and the 'create path from text' button. how can i get that back? thanks!!
Dec 6, 2009, CandyKane said:

great tutorial now if i can do it in neon colors :)
Apr 29, 2010, thorne51 said:

@goodtimesathome go to Windows -> Dockable Dialogs -> Tool Options

@CandyKane try drop shadow with no offset in your favorite neon color :)
Apr 29, 2010, thorne51 said:

@CandyKane try out this tut: http://gimpology.com/submission/view/super_glowy_rainbow_text_effect/
Oct 21, 2010, GLyonsks said:

I'm running AutoCAD 2010 and in trying to follow these directions my boxes and tool files are not same. Do you have a process for the latest version of AutoCAD?
Nov 23, 2010, sbrbot said:

Thank you! Great "How to". Also trick with "stroke path" works as well (mentioned in commend by relsqui).
Sep 27, 2011, ameme said:

Thanks, very simple and worked. You are AWESOME :)
Oct 1, 2011, askita said:

Thanks so much for this! I'm super happy with it!
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