How to Add Transparency in Photoshop

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Photoshop allows you to create images with transparency (transparent backgrounds, layers or portions) using various transparency options through the opacity meter or the background options that appear when you create a new document. Furthermore, you can use the selection or eraser tools to make only some areas of your image transparent. People often add transparency in Photoshop when they are printing on paper with textured design or adding an image to a textured background on a website because the texture shows through in the transparent areas. With a little bit of practice you'll be adding transparency in Photoshop in no time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Creating a Transparent Background

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to File in the top menu and select "New." A new window will pop up where you can assign the properties of your new Photoshop document.
  2. A menu will pop up and under the section which says "Background Contents", where you should choose "Transparent". The button appears at the very bottom of the new document pop-up window.
    Advertisement
  3. Press the OK button.
  4. Look at the Layer Window or the Layers tab in your document properties bar (it should already be open by default). The background layer should look like a checkered gray and white box (indicating that it is transparent).
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Making Layers Transparent

PDF download Download Article
  1. Select the layer that you want to make transparent by clicking on it from the list of layers in the Layers tab.
  2. Click on the numeric box that appears next to Opacity at the top of the Layers tab. The default opacity is 100 percent.
  3. Drag the arrow on the opacity meter that appears to change the opacity of the layer. If you want the layer to be completely transparent you should change the opacity to 0 percent.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Creating Transparent Selections

PDF download Download Article
  1. Select a layer that is not transparent, but make sure that the layers underneath it including the background layer are transparent.
  2. Create your selection using one of the selection tools.
  3. Click copy.
  4. Press delete. You should now have a hole in the image.
  5. Paste your copied selection onto a new layer.
  6. The area inside the selection that you had made will become transparent.
    7. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Making Transparent Drawings

PDF download Download Article
  1. Select a layer (must have more than 0 percent opacity, preferably should be 100 percent opaque). All of the underlying layers must be transparent.
  2. Pick the Eraser tool from the tool bar.
  3. Choose the size and shape of the eraser using the Options bar that appears when you have the Eraser tool selected.
  4. Essentially, you will be deleting the areas that you "draw" in, exposing the transparent layers underneath.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can you change the transparency of an object in Photoshop?
    Richard Marczewski Jr.
    Digital Media Specialist
    Richard Marczewski Jr. is a Digital Media Specialist and owner of Creativity Scientist in Worcester, Massachusetts. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in marketing, digital media, and content creation. He works with businesses as their outsourced storytelling partner and offers website development, videography, and e-commerce solutions. He started the hipster mustache trend in 2006 and is a classic Nintendo expert. Richard has an MBA in Management from Fitchburg State University.
    Richard Marczewski Jr.
    Digital Media Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Trace the object using the poly lasso tool or any other selection tool. Copy the object, delete the selection, and then paste the selection. After this, find the opacity bar and adjust it.
    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
    I cannot understand the use of the grey and white transparency. Can you clarify, please?
    Community Answer
    That's a transparent background. It's to show what's transparent. Once you upload the image it'll disappear.
    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 3 Helpful 15
  • Question
    What format do I need to save an image in to keep its transparency?
    Community Answer
    I tried Method 1 above, and it works perfectly. I saved in .PNG format to maintain transparency in the finished product.
    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 3 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      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!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • When you add transparency in Photoshop using any of the transparency options, the information is not stored when an image is saved in JPEG format. It is best to save images with transparency in the Photoshop Document (PSD) format.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Insert an Image in Photoshop
      How to
      Fix "Scratch Disks are Full" Error in Photoshop
      How to
      Trace an Image in Photoshop on Windows or Mac
      3 Ways to Simply Import Fonts to Photoshop
      How to
      Install Plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop
      How to
      Make a Gradient in Photoshop
      4 Easy Ways to Insert a Bullet Point in Adobe Photoshop
      Quickly Change the Color of Background in Photoshop
      How to
      Add a Hyperlink to a JPEG in Photoshop
      Replace Text in Adobe Photoshop: 2 Simple Methods for Removal
      2 Easy Ways to Edit and Change Text Color in Photoshop
      How to
      Design an ID Card Using Adobe Photoshop
      3 Ways to Invert Image Colors in Adobe Photoshop
      How to
      Import an Image Into Photoshop
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about using Photoshop, check out our in-depth interview with Richard Marczewski Jr. .

      References

      1. http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/photoshop/transparent/background.html
      2. https://clippingpathcreative.com/how-to-make-transparent-background-in-photoshop

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click File .
      2. Click New .
      3. Select Transparent from the "Background" menu.
      4. Click OK .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 941,446 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement