--- title: "How To Add Shadows To Text in Photoshop: a simple step-by-step guide" description: Do you want to learn how to add shadows in Photoshop? This simple, step-by-step guide will show you how in no time! image: https://blog.fmctraining.com/hubfs/how%20to%20add%20shadows%20in%20photoshop.jpg --- [![fmc_logo_horizontal_light](https://blog.fmctraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fmc_logo_horizontal_light.png?width=100&height=101&name=fmc_logo_horizontal_light.png "fmc_logo_horizontal_light")](https://www.fmctraining.com/) [![FMC_Logo_Horizontal_Light](https://blog.fmctraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fmc_logo_horizontal_light.png?width=560&height=101&name=fmc_logo_horizontal_light.png "FMC_Logo_Horizontal_Light")](https://www.fmctraining.com/) - [Courses](https://www.fmctraining.com/courses) - [Conferences](https://www.fmctraining.com/conferences/) - [Certifications](https://www.fmctraining.com/certifications/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FutureMediaConferences/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-media-concepts) [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/FMC_Conferences) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fmc_conferences/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@futuremediaconcepts4740) Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## [![fmc_logo_horizontal_dark-2](https://blog.fmctraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fmc_logo_horizontal_dark-2.png?width=3222&height=101&name=fmc_logo_horizontal_dark-2.png "fmc_logo_horizontal_dark-2")](https://www.fmctraining.com/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FutureMediaConferences/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-media-concepts) [Follow us on X](https://x.com/FMC_Conferences) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/fmc_conferences/) [✕](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#atbs-offcanvas-primary) - [Courses](https://www.fmctraining.com/courses) - [Conferences](https://www.fmctraining.com/conferences/) - [Certifications](https://www.fmctraining.com/certifications/) [adobe photoshop](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/adobe-photoshop) [tutorial](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/tutorial) [Adobe](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/adobe) [text](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/text) [skills](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/skills) [photo retouching](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/photo-retouching) [hands-on workshop](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/hands-on-workshop) [photoshop](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/photoshop) [Edit Type](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/tag/edit-type) # How To Add Shadows To Text in Photoshop: a simple step-by-step guide By [Timothy Brauning](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/author/timothy-brauning) 16 Mar 2022 [![author](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/487023430faf4339b49d2692ec47718a)](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/author/timothy-brauning) [Timothy Brauning](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/author/timothy-brauning) 16 Mar 2022 - - - We'd probably all agree that learning how to add shadows in [Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html) is something everyone needs to know. Not only is it useful for text styles, but shadows can also be used for images and even icons.  Although people don't use drop shadows very often, they can still occasionally use them for things like quick headers, buttons, and images. Learning how to add shadow to text in photoshop can lead to countless creative opportunities. Simply put, it can help you create better designs.  Most people don't know how to use this properly, or if they do, it's in an excessive amount which contributes to an unprofessional look to their design. So, let's find a nice middle ground and learn how to add the perfect amount of drop shadows while keeping our designs on the clean side. Learning how to add shadows in Photoshop is pretty straightforward (at least this method will be). ## Table of Contents - [Step by step guide on how to add shadows in Photoshop](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#step-by-step-guide-on-how-to-add-shadows-in-photos) - [Step 1. Create a white background ](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#creat-a-white-background) - [Step 2: Create text](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#create-text) - [Step 3: Ad Layer Effects ](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#ad-layer-effects) - [Step 4: Adjust the Drop Shadow Position](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#adjust-the-drop-shadow-position) - [Step 5: Refine your shadow’s look](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#refine-your-shadow-look) - [Step 6: Click OK for the changes](https://blog.fmctraining.com/fmc-forward/how-to-add-shadow-to-text-in-photoshop#click-ok-for-the-changes) ## ![how to add drop shadow to text in photoshop](https://blog.fmctraining.com/hubfs/TEXT%20SHADY%20(1)-png.png) ## Step-by-step guide on how to add shadows to text in Photoshop Creating a drop shadow to a text in Photoshop is not a difficult task.  ### **Step 1. Create a white background ** To begin, you'll have to create a new document.  To do that, you'll have to select **File ->New** and then click **Create**. ![how to add shadows in photoshop](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OD5X4SPn7iwVjsBp-uHL2zAbyH2_TVf-2mFHZ--9ayh19gfE9U8bOtnrYU_oIHtt4dpWTpBHPJyDBx4o8LhMCCSnrMH4jUQApK5oVCkALcZGy4_3J8O56naRnguTXWlD7I3TdMX7) ![how to add shadows in photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4RknyxtEcDKEMXqcSEUv03Fz-sKzzvmBB9OMAXKYzW3raZ-wrsWNRXbx81bl9Al7mIvyjJBkXsz0DPoT4MhUx1ESdlM1xT3jg5V-sA9qbbFuJE5wtkv35VMIGLqIDWF9S6nRSkMp) And there we have it: a blank background. ![add shadows in photoshop](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Te9xOPafBA9ah-MCnpva76C81u_-zR4Io957DdzCvSrpUxWmlVWCKKkf-BqI9OTw07wjfhy-huQ92ygSpBBm0vRszpwQQCiomLPVym11uWMAUHoP_F3hHJiEMmNIFl8zIajgb_Ef)   ### **Step 2: Create text** To create a drop shadow for any object, we need to use the **Layer Styles** option.  First, we will create a text layer from which we will make the drop shadow.  To do so, go to the left bottom corner of Photoshop and click **Horizontal Type Tool** to create the text. ![how to add shadow to object in photoshop](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W5FRfq2TpcUXShPLp_bxffvxno_cFDnMLKRlXnMLbD-fR4W_c0YqzytrzfVOlVf396ykTWBZHQMM7FeZ1dAs0xoQbgCHMJNDtcFdYrPq66Rd9Oh2diEq_1TRBfU1dVPKLguaOSkv) Then type out your text. Once you're done, select the color, the size, and choose your font. ![how to add a drop shadow in photoshop](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DaEVkm00zCarPZi-RI-AtBajS_63hX3qmOMFuKqWXQ_ddo0me8cLs_kYAH0lfwfzLlsMiL_jwsIQP0r-NMfO3EjE1uGw7CepMn1V3mxyE43VZI0_NioNT_UhHom3K-b6e8fnErM5)   ### **Step 3: Ad Layer Effects ** As I said earlier, learning to add shadows in Photoshop is easy. In your Layers panel, click on the **FX icon** at the bottom of the panel. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cJbp3RkKWnLtVj95JCT92M_Qq-Gtoxql8CQFiOACoRJIzrtkwOdQ3h76oADSU_bV1x7ZLmpNq3-fPzsa8t6cjV2RvIKsD_nQGqCtnWwd25xmVfCShMaCqbEkwaqTEccX52M0Qc10) Then from the list of options, choose **Drop Shadow**, and you'll see different adjustments you can make. You can also choose **Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow** from the menu. ![photoshop drop shadow](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TGu9mb_EEmh2jXYsSOQ03Sotth59gSPm99RADzz4vL144aMULQzrjrq23_8jTagF6fs_VzVVoV4T2sd58nOZqC6I2ZMdqRo6hy62WOHmVvFG5jtgcHPfju4Yry6spbN8rBnOdVmr) ### **Step 4: Adjust the Drop Shadow Position** A new window will open where you can adjust the drop shadow's settings. To start, choose a color for the drop shadow and press **OK**. I chose black. ![drop shadow in photoshop](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jvaWaXVUAhKNUwJy7nuivSeka9ZKEcBU9oWLbwQuIhfPbKox5yP8ZlslNVOgOmoLCYBxaOB-97tDAP90xFuzCRrrDOV7m-rGwFsBTVg26GGAMSfbxbiVZSpmG_pgMVJ_1DGAr-ig) ![how to create shadows in photoshop](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CBj_MZkCMrpGQdRYtVSrB4Cqy9RYTBpPBXlgxBpKWKoBxlAhiKJbCUxhLWfXBSmslPK5KifW-hCQIpHHLgclJibAF22y_-V0yb2jgtcgsaSS81omlcliQOnRQZJXytrT8Mg1Ax-O) You can adjust the angle by using the **Conversion Ratio**. Although I suggest using 45 or 150 degrees (it seems to be the best angle that fits this picture), you can change it if you'd like to. Also, you will find adjustments like **Distance, Spread,** and **Size** (but I will explain it in more detail in the next step.) When learning how to add shadows in Photoshop, keep in mind this; Hard, dark shadows often look fake. You can choose whatever works best for your image, but if you're going for a realistic look, keep in mind that real-world shadows are usually soft and faint.  To make your drop shadow look more realistic, you'll want to move it around a bit.  The default will probably have it in a good spot already, but if you want to make changes, you can use the Angle slider to rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise.  ![photoshop drop shadow](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ugBdWFnl5YT0quBxU5tntlrsABg_TU3mXQ7h9NwwYBzulhPV4qKR4VXAySfxj9a4z1t01bkgO7Oo3vLzIIJmZGG3qddCrGrK7UsqUEv_cWuEvykTg1VdxaN_Z5aQTJfLmUynUW0B) ### **Step 5: Refine your shadow’s look** Now it's time to adjust the look of your drop shadow by using the three sliders called **Distance, Spread,** and **Size.**  **Distance:** This control changes the distance of your shadow from your text.  **Spread:** This controls how wide your drop shadow is in relation to the layer. **Size:** The size setting operates just like the [feather](https://blog.fmctraining.com/blog/how-to-feather-edges-in-photoshop) adjustment of the **Brush Tool.** You can also change your shadow's opacity by choosing 60% or 70% values, for example.  Experiment with these sliders to see how various settings can change the appearance of your text and shadow. That's pretty much it. You have officially learned how to add shadows in Photoshop. ![drop shadow in photoshop](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/biJuhTza0nr5zqEFPkQNAy43c91tcPu9orFYpFqdbrW_x_LwAbZt_cRLtV5NIYHAoI2XWSHvlupc9Q6ht_LOD17tbemzUlzaKHB1yn-SIUqz-ZWw7Amywwu6qqhOa3zD4K4_yFbO) ### **Step 6: Click OK for the changes** When you've finished tweaking the settings, click OK to exit the Layer Style window and make your text look like it has a drop shadow.  Then go **File->Save** to save your document. ![drop shadow photoshop](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1HvIsspXzTyLsir85SEXnqUj3HsHQPLmHPJBuM-HCXYa4w0Ya3kypbRdqPh3H0kM3gmUvKw-cg9c4YxQGs_SOBN6reoe5I51kIwZbzCt12FUzzULXnhNd5WE9_HDbV-uvjQtcYHF) ## **That's it!** Learning how to add shadow to text in Photoshop is a great skill to have under your belt. It can give your images and designs that 3D, glossy feel.  Once you've learned how to apply this effect, the possibilities with it are endless; the only limit is your imagination.  But you'll need to follow specific steps to create the perfect drop shadow. The results speak for themselves.  As I mentioned at the top, this is meant as a quick, friendly guide rather than a how-to on *every* shadow function in Photoshop, so I tried to keep it basic and easy to follow.  I hope you found it useful!  ## Learn Adobe Photoshop If you're looking to up your Photoshop game, take a look at this article on [“How to remove white background in Photoshop.”](https://blog.fmctraining.com/blog/remove-white-backgrounds-adobe-photoshop) You can also check out our [live, online Adobe Photoshop classes](https://fmctrainingnetwork.com/adobe/live-classes/#photoshop) to get more of an in-depth, instructor-led hands-on experience. ## Adobe Photoshop Certifications & Prep Courses Are you looking to get Adobe Certified? FMC Training is the leading provider of [Adobe certification exams](https://fmctrainingnetwork.com/adobe/certifications/). We’ve helped thousands of people just like you pass their certification exam and land that dream job. 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