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

How 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.
How 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.
How 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.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 4

Type your text. Do so in the GIMP Text Editor box that appears.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 5

Highlight the text in the GIMP Text Editor box.
How 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.
How 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.
How 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.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 9

Click your text. It should all highlight.
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Set the foreground color. Simply go to your Toolbox to set the foreground color to the color you'd like your border to be.
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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

How 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.
How 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.
How 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.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 15

Type your text. Do so in the GIMP Text Editor box that appears.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 16

Highlight the text in the GIMP Text Editor box.
How 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.
How 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.
How 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.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 20

Click on 'Select' in the file's menu bar, and select 'Grow.'
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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.
How to Outline Text in GIMP 2 Picture 22

Create a new transparent layer. Simply click on 'Layer' in the menu bar to create one.
How 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.
How 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.'
How 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.

text color click toolbox

Lesley Montoya

Update 05 March 2020

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