How to Outline Text
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!
18 Comments
thanks ive been trying to find out how to outline
Are you serious? 6 steps to outline text?
Since nobody else has thought to ask the obvious question, I will.
How would you do it then? Why not enlighten us?
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.
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.
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!
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!!
great tutorial now if i can do it in neon colors :)
@goodtimesathome go to Windows -> Dockable Dialogs -> Tool Options
@CandyKane try drop shadow with no offset in your favorite neon color :)
@CandyKane try out this tut: http://gimpology.com/submission/view/super_glowy_rainbow_text_effect/
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?
Thank you! Great "How to". Also trick with "stroke path" works as well (mentioned in commend by relsqui).
Thanks, very simple and worked. You are AWESOME :)
Thanks so much for this! I'm super happy with it!
time for MEMES! muahahahaha!
Thank you so so much! i definitely prefer my outline behind my test. This tut is perfect.
Hi, I use a Mac, and I was trying to do this tutorial but weirdly when I select all my text, then turn it into a path, some of the text doesn't turn into part of the path. Is there some way to fix this?
Hi, I use a Mac, and I was trying to do this tutorial but weirdly when I select all my text, then turn it into a path, some of the text doesn't turn into part of the path. Is there some way to fix this?