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How to Outline Text in GIMP 2

PhotoShop users may have it easy with their ability to add a stroke to the outline of the text simply by right-clicking. However, there's a way to outline text in GIMP 2 as well. It's not immediately obvious nor as easy as right-clicking...
Method 1 of 2:

Using Color Selection and Stroke Weight

  1. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 1How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 1
    Have a GIMP file open. Have it ready to work on in front of you prior to selecting text by color and adding a stroke to the selection.
  2. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 2How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 2
    Select the text tool from your Toolbox. It's the bold letter 'A' button. You can also click on the Toolbox, and type 't' to select text.
  3. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 3How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 3
    Create the text layer. Do so by clicking and dragging the area for your text on your GIMP file.
  4. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 4How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 4
    Type your text. Do so in the GIMP Text Editor box that appears.
  5. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 5How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 5
    Highlight the text in the GIMP Text Editor box.
  6. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 6How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 6
    Set the text parameters in the Toolbox. Adjust the font and color to how you would like them to look.
  7. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 7How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 7
    Proofread! You won't be able to edit the text after you put an outline around it.
  8. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 8How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 8
    Click the 'Color Selection Tool' in your Toolbox. It's the button with the stacked red, blue, and green boxes. You can also click your Toolbox, and type Shift + O.
  9. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 9How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 9
    Click your text. It should all highlight.
  10. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 10How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 10
    Set the foreground color. Simply go to your Toolbox to set the foreground color to the color you'd like your border to be.
  11. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 11How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 11
    Set the stroke width. In the file menu bar, just click on 'Edit,' and then select 'Stroke Selection." Here you will be able to set the stroke width (5 pixels is pretty standard). Once you've set it, click 'Stroke.' You're done!
Method 2 of 2:

Growing a Selection

  1. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 12How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 12
    Have a GIMP file open. Have it ready to work on in front of you prior to selecting text by color and adding a stroke to the selection.
  2. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 13How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 13
    Select the text tool from your Toolbox. It's the bold letter 'A' button, or you can click on the Toolbox, and type 't' to select text.
  3. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 14How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 14
    Create the text layer. Do so by clicking and dragging the area for your text on your GIMP file.
  4. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 15How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 15
    Type your text. Do so in the GIMP Text Editor box that appears.
  5. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 16How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 16
    Highlight the text in the GIMP Text Editor box.
  6. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 17How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 17
    Set the text parameters in the Toolbox. Adjust the font and color to how you would like them to look.
  7. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 18How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 18
    Proofread! You won't be able to edit the text after you put an outline around it.
  8. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 19How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 19
    Decide if you're happy with the text. Afterwards, click the 'Color Selection Tool' in your Toolbox by selecting the button with the stacked red, blue, and green boxes or by clicking on the Toolbox and typing Shift + O and selecting the text.
  9. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 20How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 20
    Click on 'Select' in the file's menu bar, and select 'Grow.'
  10. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 21How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 21
    Set the amount you want to grow the selection. Do this in the dialog box. This equates to the stroke weight, or size of the text outline. Five pixels is pretty standard.
  11. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 22How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 22
    Create a new transparent layer. Simply click on 'Layer' in the menu bar to create one.
  12. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 23How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 23
    Place the new layer under the first layer. To do this, in the 'Layers, Channels, Paths, Undo' box, click the new layer you just created, and drag it below the text layer you had created earlier.
  13. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 24How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 24
    Set the background color. This can be any color you wish the outline to be. Click 'Edit' in the menu bar of the file, and select 'Fill with BG Color.'
  14. How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 25How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 25
    Finish outlining the text. Right-click the text layer in the 'Layers, Channels, Paths, Undo' box, and select 'Merge Down.' Your text should now be sporting an outline.
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