How to Place Multiple Images in Text with Photoshop
Learn how to place multiple images inside text in Photoshop! This step-by-step tutorial teaches you how to split a word into individual letters and use clipping masks to fill each letter with a unique photo. Fully updated for Photoshop 2026.
Download the PDF: How to Place Multiple Images In Text
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to place multiple images inside text in Photoshop by splitting a word into individual letters and filling each one with a different photo!
Previously, we covered how to place a single image into an entire word. But what if you want a unique image in every single letter? That's exactly what we'll do here.
We’ll start by adding text and dividing it into separate letter shapes. Then, we'll place a photo into each letter. Finally, you'll learn how to change or remove the background, apply layer effects (like strokes and drop shadows) to all the letters at once, and perfectly center your final design.
Here's an example of what the final images in text
effect will look like when we're done:
Let's get started!
Which Photoshop version do I need?
I'm using Photoshop 2026. You can get the latest Photoshop version here.
How to place images in text with Photoshop
In this first part, we will create the main effect by filling each letter in our word with a different image.
Step 1: Create a new Photoshop document
(Note: If you have already created a document and added your text, you can skip ahead to Step 5).
Go to File > New to create a new Photoshop document.
In the New Document dialog box, enter your settings.
For this tutorial, set the Width to 3000 pixels, the Height to 1800 pixels, and the Resolution to 300 pixels per inch. Leave the Color Mode set to RGB, the Background Contents to White, and the Color Profile to sRGB.
Click Create.
Step 2: Add your text
To add text to your document, select the Type Tool from the toolbar.
In the Options Bar, choose your font. Because we're placing images inside the letters, thick heavy fonts work best.
I'm using HWT Artz (available through Adobe Fonts).
Set the type Size to 72 pt or higher to start with a size that's easy to read (we'll resize the text later).
To make centering the text easier, set the Justification to Center.
Click the color swatch to set your text color.
In the Color Picker, set the R, G, and B values to 0 to choose black. (Once we place our images inside the text, this color won't matter).
Click OK to close the Color Picker.
Click in the center of the document and type your word. I’ll type the word FUN.
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to accept it:
Step 3: Resize and move the text with Free Transform
To resize the text, go to Edit > Free Transform.
Resize the text by dragging the transform handles. Hold the Alt (Win) / Option (Mac) key while dragging to resize the text from its center.
Click and drag inside the transform box to move the text into position.
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to accept it and close Free Transform.
Step 4: Adjust the letter spacing (optional)
Depending on your font, the letters might be too close together.
To increase the spacing, open the Properties panel.
Look for the Character options.
Click inside the Tracking value box.
Use the Up Arrow key on your keyboard to increase the tracking value (e.g., from 0 to 20).
Press Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) to accept it.
This spaces the letters further apart, making room for our individual images.
Step 5: Convert the type into a shape
Currently, the text is on a standard Type layer. To place a different image inside each letter, we first need to split the word into individual letters. To do that, we need to convert the text into a shape.
With the Type layer selected, go to Type in the Menu Bar.
Choose Convert to Shape.
You'll know the letters are now shapes by the path outlines surrounding them.
In the Layers panel, the thumbnail icon confirms the layer is now a shape layer.
Step 6: Make a copy of the shape layer for each letter
We need to place each letter on its own separate layer. To do this, duplicate the shape layer so you have one layer for every letter in your word. Since FUN
has three letters, we need three shape layers in total.
Click and drag the shape layer down onto the Add New Layer icon.
Release your mouse button, and the first copy appears above the original.
Click and drag this new copy down onto the Add New Layer icon.
You now have three shape layers, one for each letter. (If your word has more letters, continue duplicating until you have enough layers).
Step 7: Delete the unwanted letters on each shape layer
Next, we'll isolate one letter per layer by deleting the extras.
Let's start with the original shape layer at the bottom.
Isolating the first letter:
First, hide the duplicate layers above it by clicking their visibility icons.
Click on the original shape layer to select it.
Select the Path Selection Tool from the toolbar.
Click on the second letter to select it (a path outline will appear around it).
Press Backspace (Win) / Delete (Mac) to remove it.
Click on the third letter to select it.
Press Backspace (Win) / Delete (Mac) to remove it. You now have only the first letter remaining on this layer.
Isolating the second letter
Now, let's isolate the second letter on the second layer. Turn off the original shape layer's visibility.
Turn on the visibility for the second shape layer.
Click on the second shape layer to select it.
On this second layer, we only need the second letter in the word.
Click on the first letter to select it.
Press Backspace (Win) / Delete (Mac) to remove it.
Click on the third letter and press Backspace (Win) / Delete (Mac).
Only the second letter remains on this layer.
Isolating the third letter
Turn off the second shape layer.
Turn on the visibility for the third shape layer.
Click on the third shape layer to select it.
Since we only need the third letter, we can delete the first two quickly.
Click and drag a selection box over a portion of the first two letters to select them both at once.
Press Backspace (Win) / Delete (Mac).
Now, only the third letter remains on the third shape layer.
If your word has more than three letters, repeat this process for the remaining layers.
Turn all shape layers back on by clicking their visibility icons.
The entire word reappears on the canvas, but each letter is now safely isolated on its own layer.
Step 8: Place the first image into the document
We're ready to add our images!
To place an image inside the first letter, select the first shape layer in the Layers panel.
Turn off the visibility for the other letters so we can focus on just this first one.
Go to File > Place Embedded.
Navigate to your image folder, select your first photo, and click Navigate to your image folder, select your first photo, and click Place.
The image opens in the document and is automatically resized to fit. (Woman with tulips from Adobe Stock).
Photoshop leaves the Free Transform box active, but we need to clip the image to the letter before adjusting it.
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to accept the placement for now.
Step 9: Create a clipping mask
In the Layers panel, the image is now on its own layer directly above the first letter.
Learn how to open multiple images as layers into Photoshop!
To place the image inside the letter, click the Layers panel menu icon.
Choose Create Clipping Mask.
The clipping mask hides any part of the image that sits outside the letter, creating the illusion that it's inside.
Step 10: Resize and move the image inside the first letter
Go to Edit > Free Transform.
Drag the subject into position inside the letter.
Drag the handles to resize the image. Adjust the size and placement until you're happy with the composition.
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to close Free Transform.
Step 11: Place the second image into the document
Repeat the process for the second letter. Turn on the visibility for the second shape layer in the Layers panel.
Click on the second shape layer to select it.
Go to File > Place Embedded.
Select your next image and click Place.
The image opens with Free Transform active. (Bearded man from Adobe Stock).
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to accept it.
Step 12: Create a clipping mask
The new image is placed directly above the second letter.
Click the Layers panel menu icon.
Choose Create Clipping Mask.
The image is now clipped inside the second letter.
Step 13: Resize and move the image inside the second letter
Go to Edit > Free Transform.
Drag your subject into view.
Drag the handles to resize the image as needed.
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar.
Step 14: Place the third image into the document
Turn on the visibility for the third shape layer.
Click on the third shape layer to select it.
Go to File > Place Embedded.
Select your third image and click Place.
The image opens in the document. (Smiling woman from Adobe Stock):
Click the checkmark in the Options Bar.
Ensure the image is directly above the third letter in the Layers panel.
Step 15: Create a clipping mask
Click the Layers panel menu icon.
Choose Create Clipping Mask.
The image is now inside the third letter.
Step 16: Resize and move the image inside the third letter
Go to Edit > Free Transform.
Drag your subject into view.
Drag the handles to resize the image.
Click the checkmark to accept it.
Every letter in the word now has a unique image placed inside it!
Placing the letters and images into a group
The main effect is complete! Now let's look at how to enhance it.
To easily add layer effects (like a stroke or drop shadow) to the entire word at once, we first need to group all of our image and shape layers together.
Step 1: Select all shape and image layers
In the Layers panel, click the top image layer to select it.
Hold the Shift key and click the original shape layer at the bottom (the first letter).
This selects both layers and everything in between.
Step 2: Place the layers into a group
Click the Layers panel menu icon.
Choose New Group from Layers:
Step 3: Name the new group
Name the group Text and images and click OK.
Your layers are now neatly organized inside the group. You can twirl the group open or closed using the arrow next to the folder icon.
How to remove the background behind the letters
If you want to save your design with a transparent background, simply turn off the Background layer by clicking its visibility icon.
The background becomes a checkerboard pattern, representing transparency.
If removing the background was not what you wanted to do, turn the Background layer back on to continue with the next steps.
How to change the background color
To change the background color, select the Background layer in the Layers panel.
Click the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.
Choose a Solid Color fill layer.
Option 1: Choosing a color from the Color Picker
You can choose any custom color from the Color Picker. Black is the default and often looks great, but feel free to experiment.
Option 2: Sampling a color from an image
While the Color Picker is open, hover your mouse over your images to switch to the Eyedropper tool.
Click to sample a color directly from your photos (like the yellow from the woman's dress).
For a subtle look that won't distract from the photos, try a light gray.
Set the Saturation (S) to 0% and the Brightness (B) to 90%. Click OK to close the Color Picker.
The new background color is applied.
In the Layers panel, notice the new Solid Color fill layer above your Background layer. You can toggle it on or off at any time.
Adding a stroke around the letters
Let’s finish the effect by adding a stroke and a drop shadow. Because we grouped our layers, we can apply these effects to the entire word at once.
Step 1: Select the layer group
Click the layer group in the Layers panel to select it.
Step 2: Add a stroke
Click the fx icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
Choose Stroke.
Step 3: Choose the stroke color
In the Layer Style dialog box, click the color swatch.
Choose white from the Color Picker by setting the R, G, and B values to 255. Click OK.
Step 4: Change the position to Outside
Set the Position to Outside so the stroke appears on the outer edge of the letters.
Step 5: Adjust the stroke size
Drag the Size slider to set the stroke width. Here, a size of 16 pixels works well.
The stroke is instantly applied to every letter in the group.
Adding a drop shadow behind the letters
Finally, let’s add a drop shadow to lift the text off the background.
Step 1: Select Drop Shadow
from the Layer Style dialog box
With the Layer Style dialog box still open, click the words Drop Shadow on the left.
Step 2: Adjust the shadow's angle, distance and size
You can adjust the shadow's angle and distance by clicking and dragging directly inside the document.
Related: Add a long shadow effect to your text!
Alternatively, use the sliders in the dialog box. Set the Angle to 120 degrees and the Distance to 50 pixels. To soften the edges, increase the Size to 25 pixels.
Step 3: Close the Layer Style dialog box
Click OK to apply the effects and close the dialog box.
The drop shadow and stroke are now applied to the entire word.
In the Layers panel, your active effects are listed directly below the group.
Tip! How to center the text in the document
Here’s one final tip if you want to make sure your text is perfectly centered in the document.
Step 1: Select the group
Make sure your layer group is selected in the Layers panel.
Step 2: Select the Move Tool
Select the Move Tool from the toolbar.
Step 3: Open the Align and Distribute options
In the Options Bar, click the Align and Distribute icon (the three dots).
Step 4: Set the Align To option to Canvas
Set the Align To dropdown menu to Canvas.
Align Toto Canvas.
Step 5: Click Align Horizontal Centers and Align Vertical Centers
Click the icons for Align Horizontal Centers and Align Vertical Centers.
Your text is now perfectly centered, and we have our final result.
And there we have it! That's how to place multiple images in text with Photoshop!
Don't forget, all of my Photoshop tutorials are available to download as PDFs!
For a similar effect, learn how to place an image in a shape with Photoshop, or how to add transparent text to an image!