Highlight Text in Photoshop (Fast, Easy Method)
Highlighting text in Photoshop is quickest with a simple shape layer. In this tutorial, you’ll draw a colored rectangle behind or over your text and choose the best blending approach for your design. You’ll also see how to round the corners and resize the highlight for a polished look.
Step-by-step instructions
Create your text
Select the Type Tool (T).
Click on the canvas and type your text.
Adjust font, size, and color in the Options bar or Window → Character.
Draw the highlight rectangle
Select the Rectangle Tool (U).
In the Options bar, set Fill to your highlight color.
Set Stroke to None.
Click and drag to draw a rectangle covering the text you want to highlight.
Choose your highlight method
Method A (blending): With the rectangle layer selected, change the blending mode to Multiply in the Layers panel.
Method B (layer order): Drag the rectangle layer below the text layer in the Layers panel to place a solid block behind the text.
Round the rectangle corners (optional)
Select the rectangle shape layer.
Use Window → Properties → Appearance → Corners to increase the corner radius, or drag the on-canvas corner widgets to round the edges.
Resize and position the highlight
Select the rectangle layer and press Cmd+T (Mac) or Ctrl+T (Windows) to Free Transform.
Drag side or corner handles to adjust the size; hold Shift to constrain proportions if needed.
Move the rectangle to align perfectly with your text.
Press Enter/Return or click the checkmark to commit.
