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How to Use the Type Mask Tools for Eye-Catching Photo Titles

4 min read

Why Text Filled with Photos Makes Your Projects Stand Out

Imagine spelling out your grandchild's name with letters filled with their smiling face, or creating a "VACATION" title where each letter shows glimpses of sandy beaches and sunsets. That's exactly what the Type Mask tools in Photoshop Elements let you do — and it's easier than you might think.

Unlike regular text that sits on top of your photo in a solid colour, type masks cut letter-shaped holes that reveal whatever image you place beneath them. The result? Stunning titles for scrapbook pages, greeting cards, and photo gifts that look professionally designed.

Understanding the Type Mask Tools

Photoshop Elements includes two Type Mask tools, both found in the Toolbox along the left side of the screen in Advanced mode:

  • Horizontal Type Mask Tool — creates letter-shaped selections that run left to right, perfect for most titles and headings
  • Vertical Type Mask Tool — creates selections that stack letters top to bottom, ideal for decorative side borders

These tools don't create actual text layers like the regular Type Tool. Instead, they create selections shaped like letters. Once you have that selection, you can fill it with anything — another photo, a gradient, a pattern, or a solid colour.

Step-by-Step: Create a Photo-Filled Title

Let's walk through creating a birthday card title where the letters show your favourite photo of the birthday person.

Prepare Your Images

  1. 1Open Photoshop Elements and switch to Advanced mode by clicking the mode selector at the top of the screen.
  2. 2Go to File → Open and select the photo you want to appear inside your letters.
  3. 3Duplicate this layer by pressing Ctrl+J (or Cmd+J on Mac) so you have a backup.

Create the Type Mask Selection

  1. 1Click and hold on the Type Tool in the Toolbox until the flyout menu appears.
  2. 2Select the Horizontal Type Mask Tool — it has a dotted outline around the letter T.
  3. 3In the Tool Options bar at the bottom, choose a bold, wide font like Arial Black or Impact. Thin fonts don't show enough of the photo inside each letter.
  4. 4Set your font size large — try 150 points or higher for a dramatic effect.
  5. 5Click on your photo where you want the text to begin and type your word, such as "HAPPY" or a name.
  6. 6You'll notice Photoshop Elements overlays your image with a red tint. This is the mask preview showing where your letters will be.
  7. 7Click the green checkmark in the Tool Options bar to commit your text.

The red overlay disappears and you'll see marching ants — the animated dotted lines that indicate an active selection — in the shape of your letters.

Turn Your Selection into a Finished Design

Now that you have letter-shaped selections, you can use them in several ways:

Option A: Copy the Photo into Letter Shapes

  1. 1With the selection still active, go to Edit → Copy.
  2. 2Create a new document: File → New → Blank File. Choose a background colour for your card.
  3. 3Go to Edit → Paste. Your letters — filled with the original photo — appear on the new background.

Option B: Create Letters on a Separate Layer

  1. 1With the selection active, go to Layer → New → Layer via Copy.
  2. 2Hide the original layer by clicking the eye icon in the Layers panel.
  3. 3Your photo now shows only through the letter shapes, with transparency everywhere else.

Fine-Tune Your Creation

  1. 1With your text layer selected, go to Layer → Layer Style → Style Settings.
  2. 2Add a Drop Shadow to make your letters pop off the background.
  3. 3Try a Stroke in white or black to give each letter a crisp edge.
  4. 4Adjust Bevel settings for a three-dimensional look that catches the eye.

Tips for Better Results in Photoshop Elements

  • Choose photos with clear subjects — busy, cluttered images become confusing when cropped into letter shapes
  • Position matters — before committing your type mask, click and drag to place letters over the most interesting part of your photo
  • Bold fonts work best — delicate script fonts are beautiful but show too little of the underlying image
  • Scale up — larger letters mean more visible photo detail inside each character

Creative Ideas to Try

Once you've mastered the basics in PSE, the possibilities multiply:

  • Spell "GRANDMA" with letters showing grandchildren's faces
  • Create "2024" for a year-in-review scrapbook page, filled with favourite moments
  • Make "HOME" for a housewarming gift, using a photo of the new house
  • Design "LOVE" for an anniversary card, filled with the couple's wedding photo

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