Lesson 42 of 80 – Text Formatting
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Text Formatting in Photoshop

Text formatting in Photoshop allows you to control the appearance, spacing, alignment and style of text. Proper formatting helps make posters, advertisements, social media graphics and other designs attractive and easy to read.

Note: Photoshop provides text formatting controls through the Options Bar and Character and Paragraph panels.

1. What is Text Formatting?

Text formatting means changing the visual appearance of text.

It includes changing the font, size, color, alignment, spacing and other text properties.

2. Why is Text Formatting Important?

Good text formatting improves readability and gives a design a professional appearance.

  • Makes headings noticeable
  • Improves readability
  • Creates visual hierarchy
  • Improves design balance
  • Makes information easier to understand

3. Selecting a Font

A font defines the basic appearance of characters.

Examples include:

  • Arial
  • Calibri
  • Georgia
  • Verdana
  • Times New Roman

Choose a font that matches the purpose of the design.

4. Changing Font Size

Font size controls how large or small text appears.

Large sizes are generally useful for headings, while smaller sizes are suitable for supporting information.

Heading → 48 px
Subheading → 28 px
Description → 18 px

5. Changing Text Color

Text color can be changed using the text color control.

Choose colors that provide sufficient contrast against the background.

6. Bold Text

Bold text appears heavier than regular text.

It is commonly used for headings, important words and key information.

Regular Text
Bold Text

7. Italic Text

Italic text is slanted and can be used for emphasis or certain design styles.

Use italic formatting carefully so that the text remains easy to read.

8. Underline Text

Underline formatting places a line beneath the selected text.

It can be useful in specific designs, but excessive underlining can make text look crowded.

9. Text Alignment

Text can be aligned according to the layout.

  • Left Align
  • Center Align
  • Right Align
  • Justify options for paragraph text

10. Left Alignment

Left alignment places text along the left side of the text area.

It is commonly used for paragraphs, descriptions and general information.

11. Center Alignment

Center alignment places text in the middle of the text area.

It is often useful for headings, invitations, posters and promotional designs.

12. Right Alignment

Right alignment places text toward the right side of the text area.

It can be useful for specific design layouts and labels.

13. Character Panel

The Character panel provides detailed controls for individual text characters and words.

Common controls include:

  • Font
  • Font Style
  • Font Size
  • Leading
  • Tracking
  • Kerning
  • Color

14. Leading

Leading controls the vertical distance between lines of text.

Increasing leading creates more space between lines, while decreasing it makes lines closer together.

Line 1
       ↕
Line 2

15. Tracking

Tracking controls the overall spacing between characters in a selected range of text.

It is useful for headings, logos and decorative typography.

NORMAL TEXT
W I D E R   T E X T

16. Kerning

Kerning adjusts the spacing between specific pairs of characters.

It helps create visually balanced spacing between letters.

Kerning is particularly useful for large headings and logos.

17. Horizontal Scale

Horizontal Scale changes the width of characters without changing their basic font size in the same way as simply selecting a different font size.

Use this control carefully because excessive scaling can make text look unnatural.

18. Vertical Scale

Vertical Scale changes the height of characters.

Like horizontal scaling, it should be used carefully to maintain a professional appearance.

19. Baseline Shift

Baseline Shift moves selected characters upward or downward relative to the normal text baseline.

It can be useful for special typography and small design adjustments.

20. Text Case Options

Photoshop provides character formatting options that can change how text appears in uppercase or lowercase styles.

SOOPRO PATHSHALA
Soopro Pathshala
soopro pathshala

Choose a case style that fits your design.

21. Paragraph Panel

The Paragraph panel provides controls for paragraph alignment, indentation and spacing.

It is especially useful when working with paragraph text rather than short headings.

22. Text Formatting for Posters

Posters often require clear visual hierarchy.

Use a large font for the main heading, a medium font for supporting information and a smaller font for contact details.

MAIN HEADING
Course Details
Date and Time
Contact Information

23. Text Formatting for Social Media

Social media designs need text that can be understood quickly.

  • Use readable fonts
  • Keep important information prominent
  • Use sufficient contrast
  • Avoid overcrowding
  • Create a clear hierarchy

24. Text Formatting with Layer Styles

Formatted text can be enhanced with Photoshop Layer Styles.

Common effects include:

  • Drop Shadow
  • Stroke
  • Outer Glow
  • Color Overlay
  • Gradient Overlay

25. Choosing the Right Font Combination

You can combine fonts to create hierarchy, but using too many different fonts can make a design confusing.

A simple combination of one heading font and one body font is often easier to manage.

26. Common Text Formatting Mistakes

  • Using too many fonts
  • Using extremely small text
  • Poor contrast between text and background
  • Excessive letter spacing
  • Incorrect line spacing
  • Using decorative fonts for long paragraphs
  • Overusing text effects

27. Beginner Practice

Create a simple text design:

  1. Create a new Photoshop document.
  2. Select the Type Tool.
  3. Write a main heading.
  4. Choose a suitable font.
  5. Set the heading size.
  6. Change the text color.
  7. Center the heading.
  8. Create a smaller description.
  9. Adjust leading and tracking.

28. Practical Example

Create a promotional design using different text sizes and formatting.

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Use font size, weight, color and spacing to create a clear hierarchy.

29. Recommended Workflow

  1. Select the Type Tool.
  2. Create the required text.
  3. Select an appropriate font.
  4. Set the font size.
  5. Choose the text color.
  6. Adjust alignment.
  7. Use leading and tracking where necessary.
  8. Check readability.
  9. Add effects only when required.

30. Summary

Text formatting allows you to control the appearance and readability of text in Photoshop.

Important formatting controls include font, size, color, style, alignment, leading, tracking and kerning.

Good typography creates clear visual hierarchy and makes Photoshop designs look more professional.

📌 Key Points

  • Text formatting changes the appearance of text.
  • Font determines the basic character design.
  • Font size controls text size.
  • Character panel provides detailed text controls.
  • Leading controls vertical line spacing.
  • Tracking controls overall character spacing.
  • Kerning controls spacing between specific character pairs.
  • Paragraph controls are useful for longer text.
  • Good contrast improves readability.
  • Avoid using too many fonts or effects in one design.

🧠 Quick Quiz

Question: Which Photoshop control adjusts the vertical spacing between lines of text?