How to Add Layers in GIMP

A step-by-step guide to creating more layers in GIMP

Last Updated: May 30, 2022 Tested

The GNU Image Manipulation Program (commonly referred to as "GIMP") is a free and open source image editing application. The software is full-featured, allowing both basic and intricate changes to be made to digital images. Like the popular image editing application Adobe Photoshop, GIMP allows the user to construct images in multiple layers. Each layer consists of 3 color channels and an alpha channel that governs transparency. In this way, images can be composed of "stacked" layers that each contain a small piece of the overall image, such as a line of text. Learning how to add layers in GIMP is essential to being able to use the program to its full potential.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Do this by navigating to GIMP's icon in the Windows Start menu or clicking on its desktop shortcut. On Mac OS X, double-click on GIMP's icon in the "Applications" folder.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

To do this, click on the "File" menu on the application's task bar, and then click "New." A dialog box will appear that will ask you to specify the dimensions of the new image. Specify them as desired, and then click "OK" to create the image.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Make sure the Layers dock is visible. To manage the layers of the image you are working with, you must use the Layers dock. By default, this dock is open and located on the far right side of the application's window. If it is not open, click on "Windows" on the main task bar and select "Dockable Dialogs." Select "Layers" from the menu that appears.
- By default, new images are created with a single layer called "Background." You should see this layer listed in the Layers dock.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This can either be done by clicking the small "New Layer" icon in the Layers dock, or by selecting "New Layer" from the "Layer" menu on the task bar. Either option will generate a dialog box asking you to specify the layer's name, size and color. Note that all of these characteristics can be changed later. Click "OK" to add the layer.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

By placing each bit of your image's content on a separate layer, you can move or edit these bits of content independently of one another; this is why layers are so useful. To do this, select the desired layer first by clicking on its name in the Layers dock. Then, add the content (text, gradient, et cetera) to the main workspace. The content will then be associated with that layer.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The order of your layers is important. For example, if a completely opaque layer is covering another layer, the lower layer will not be visible at all. To reorder your image's layers, click on their names in the Layers dock and drag them to a different spot in the list. Layers at the top of the list will appear in the foreground of your image, while layers at the bottom make up the background.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-7.jpg\/aid1539600-v4-728px-Add-Layers-in-GIMP-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I copy and paste layers in Gimp?

Community Answer

While you have the layer selected, press ctr+c to copy and ctr+v to paste. Alternately, from the menubar, select Edit > Copy. There is also a "duplicate" function accessible under the layer menu or by right clicking on the layers dialog.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 11
Question

Where can I find the creation hub?

KHIZAR KHURSHEED

Community Answer

The term "creation hub" can refer to different platforms or tools depending on the context in which you are looking for it. The Creation Hub on Instagram can be found within the app itself, often as part of the "Create" section where users can make and edit posts, stories, reels, and IGTV videos. YouTube's Creation Hub can be accessed via the YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com), which provides tools for video editing, analytics, and channel management.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do you set an image as the background to a layer?

KHIZAR KHURSHEED

Community Answer

It can be done using various software tools, depending on whether you are working with graphic design, web design or something else.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

GIMP will run on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. On Mac OS X, it will have to run inside of another application called X11 (which is packaged with the GIMP installation file).

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Note that layers will not be preserved when saving your file in an image format. To be able to work with your layers in the future, you must save your file in the GIMP ".xcf " format.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 3

Things You'll Need

Computer
GIMP software

Log in

How to Add Layers in GIMP

Steps

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories