How to Add a Double Outline Style Around Text in Photoshop

June 6, 2011 by Brian D'Alessandro

The easiest way to add a single outline to a text layer in Adobe Photoshop is by applying a Stroke to the text in the Layer Style options. But since only one stroke per layer is allowed, how can you add a double outline, or a double stroke? It turns out you can get nearly the same effect by clever use of the Outer Glow style, in addition to the Stroke style. To add a double outline to a text layer, do the following:

Create your initial text layer. I used 48pt Arial for my example.
Create the first outline. Go to Layer > Layer Style > Stroke. Select your desired size and color. Make sure the Position is Outside, Blend Mode is Normal, and Opacity is 100%.
Now add the Outer Glow effect. Click Outer Glow in the Styles list in the Layer Style window. Set the Blend Mode to Normal and Opacity to 100%. Select the color you want for the second outline.
Adjust the Size to any desired number, but make sure it is larger than your previous Stroke size.
Reduce the Range setting to a low value, somewhere between 1%-5%. A lower value will make the second outline appear more crisp, while a higher value will blur the outer edges slightly.

When the proper settings are adjusted, the Outer Glow acts as a second stroke. You now have a double outline around your text!

4 comments

June 1, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Iqbal says:

This blog helped me alot.. Thank you so much JAZAKALLAH..:)

1
May 14, 2015 at 1:46 AM
DJ Chaz says:

Very helpful Thank You!

2
July 18, 2015 at 11:15 PM
K Christensen says:

Exactly what I was looking for. thanks a bunch :-)

3
February 6, 2021 at 1:48 PM
Felipe Mendes says:

Thank you so much!!!!!

4

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