How to Change Text Font Size and Color in GIMP

This article provides a straightforward, step-by-step guide on how to modify the font, size, and color of a text layer in the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). Whether you are looking to change settings for new text or edit existing text layers, you will learn how to navigate both the Tool Options dockable dialog and the on-canvas text editor pop-up. By the end of this guide, you will be able to customize your typography efficiently to enhance your digital designs.

Accessing the Text Tool

To make any changes to text in GIMP, you must first activate the Text Tool. You can do this by clicking the Text Tool icon (the capital ‘A’) in the main Toolbox, or by pressing the T shortcut key on your keyboard. Once active, clicking anywhere on your canvas will create a new text layer, while clicking directly on top of existing text will allow you to edit that specific layer.

Changing the Font

GIMP offers two primary ways to alter the typeface of your text layer.

• Via Tool Options: With the Text Tool active, look at the “Tool Options” panel (usually located below the Toolbox). Click on the font button (which displays the current font name) to open a drop-down list of all installed fonts on your system, then select your desired typeface.
• Via On-Canvas Editor: When you click inside an existing text box, a small floating toolbar appears directly above the text. Click the font shape icon on the far left of this toolbar to type in or select a new font.

Note: To apply changes via the on-canvas editor to only a specific part of your text, highlight the target letters or words first. If no text is highlighted, changes applied here may not take effect.

Adjusting the Text Size

Resizing your text helps establish visual hierarchy in your project. You can scale your text using the same two interfaces:

• In the Tool Options Panel: Locate the “Size” field. You can use the up and down arrows to adjust the size pixel by pixel, drag your mouse inside the field, or manually type a specific numerical value. Next to the size value, a drop-down menu allows you to change the unit of measurement (e.g., from pixels px to points pt or inches in).
• In the On-Canvas Editor: Use the size input box on the floating toolbar to quickly change the size of the highlighted text.

Modifying the Text Color

Adding color to your text layer can make your design pop or match a specific brand color palette.

• Using Tool Options: Click on the color rectangle in the Tool Options panel. This opens the “Change Text Color” dialogue box. You can select a color visually from the color scale, use the eye-dropper tool to pick a color directly from your canvas, or input a specific Hex web color code. Click OK to apply it.
• Using the On-Canvas Editor: Click the color box on the floating toolbar to open the color picker. This method is highly precise, as it allows you to change the color of individual highlighted letters within the same text layer rather than changing the entire block.