Place Text Behind an Object in Photoshop
This beginner-friendly walkthrough shows how to place text behind a foreground object. You’ll auto-select the subject, refine the selection in Quick Mask, and apply it as a mask to a group that holds your text. You’ll also add subtle transparency through windows for realism and learn why masking the group is efficient.
Step-by-step instructions
Select the foreground object
Go to Select → Subject to create an initial selection.
Press Q to enter Quick Mask to visualize the selection (red overlay = not selected).
Select the Brush Tool (B) and paint with white to add, black to subtract.
Shift-click between two points to draw straight refinements along edges.
Press Q to exit Quick Mask when done.
Group the text and apply the selection as a mask
Select your text layer and press Ctrl+G (Windows) or Cmd+G (Mac) to group it.
With the selection active, click Add Layer Mask to apply the selection to the group.
Invert the mask so text goes behind the object
Click the group’s mask thumbnail to target it.
Press Ctrl+I (Windows) or Cmd+I (Mac) to invert the mask (or use Properties → Invert).
Refine realism through transparent areas (e.g., windows)
Press Z to zoom in where needed.
Select the Brush Tool (B); lower hardness for softer edges.
Click the Foreground color and set Brightness to about 30% gray; click OK.
Paint on the group mask over windows so only 30% of the text shows through.
Preview and fine-tune the mask
Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac) the group mask thumbnail to view/edit the mask directly.
Alt/Option-click again to return to normal view.
Double-click the Hand Tool to fit on screen; use the Move Tool (V) to test the effect by moving the text.
Control multiple text layers with one mask
Add more text layers inside the same group as needed.
The single group mask will govern all text layers, keeping your workflow efficient.
