How to Remove Text from a Photo in Photoshop

Removing Text Using Content-Aware Fill Removing Text Using the Clone Stamp in Earlier or Latest Versions of Photoshop

Do you have a great photo or image that is ruined by unnecessary text? This article will show you how remove text from a photo in Photoshop using either content-aware fill for CS5 or later or the clone stamp for earlier versions of Photoshop.

Method 1 of 2: Removing Text Using Content-Aware Fill

1

Open your image in Photoshop.
2

Choose the “Lasso tool” from the toolbar on the left side of the screen.
- Click near the edge of your text and drag the tool until you’ve created a rough outline around the text.
- Make sure that you leave a thin border around the text. This action helps Photoshop to do a better job of blending the background after you remove the text.
3

Click on “Edit” and select “Fill” from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, just press Shift+F5. A box labeled “Fill” will pop up on the screen.
4

Select “Content-Aware” from the drop-down menu next to “Use.”
5

Click “OK.” Wait for Photoshop to fill in the space left when the text is eliminated.
6

Press CTRL-D to deselect the image when the fill is complete.
7

Save the altered image.

Method 2 of 2: Removing Text Using the Clone Stamp in Earlier or Latest Versions of Photoshop

1

Open your image in Photoshop.
2

Click the clone stamp on the tools pallet. Alternatively, press CTRL-S.
- Choose a soft-tipped brush with a flow rate between 10 and 30 percent for most jobs.
- Start with opacity at 95 percent. You can make adjustments as needed.
3

Click the Layers panel. Select the original layer in the Layers panel.
- Drag the original layer to the “Create a New Layer” button, which is the symbol to the left of the trash can.
- Alternatively, hit CTRL+J to create a new layer.
4

Place your cursor over a spot that is as close to the lettering as possible. Hold Alt and then left-click on your selection.
- This spot is called your source. Essentially, you will pick up “paint” from this spot and use it to paint over your text.
- The source will move as you paint over the text, so be careful not to get too close to the lettering. If you get too close, then you will just be copying the spot you were trying to erase.
- If your source is too far away from your lettering, then the color of the background may not be appropriate for camouflaging the spot where the letters were. You will see distortion when you paint over the image.
5

Open the Options menu and choose “Aligned.” This action samples pixels continuously without losing the current sampling point. Every time you stop painting, deselect “Aligned” before you start over and reset it after you choose a new sampling point.
6

Release the Alt key and move the mouse over the lettering that you want to cover up. Left click to paint the source over the lettering.
- Notice the lighting of the background image. Make sure that the spots that you clone are lit in the same direction as the image.
- Paint in small sections rather than dragging the mouse over the letters in large strokes. This action will ensure that your work looks professional instead of blotchy.
7

Continue this process until the project is complete.