How to set a background color to a text layer in Gimp so that the background automatically resizes as you type and the text changes size?

Question

I want to add some text to an image in Gimp with the Text Tool, such that the background of the text layer (a rectangle) is of a fixed color instead of the default transparent background to make the text more readable.

I can get it to work by duplicating the layer and using bucket then merging layers, or by removing alpha and color mapping, but those methods are cumbersome, and if I want to edit the text further, I have to start from scratch.

Is there a better method where I can just type and have the background the color that I want it and still be able to edit the text freely, i.e. without rasterizing the text first, and have the background of my chosen color automatically resize to the text?

I saw this question: Can I change the default Gimp transparent background to white? but I don't see how to change the fill type of a text layer, which gets automatically created when I start using the Text Tool.

Tested in Gimp 2.10.18.

Answer 1

In GIMP text layers don't have a background colour. So, what you want isn't possible.

To have a background you'd need to create a new layer under the text layer, select a rectangle to surround the text, then fill it with colour.

If you change the text, you would need to delete the filled layer, make a new rectangle layer to fit the new text, and fill it again.

There's nothing that will do this automatically in GIMP, unless you can find a script, or write one yourself.

Also note that GIMP isn't designed for text/page layout. It's photo editing software. If you find yourself doing things like this regularly, then perhaps consider using some page layout software instead, where it is possible to create filled boxes and to type text inside them.

Answer 2

Using both techniques above worked for me.

I had to replace the dimensions in jpg because they were too small.

1. Add the text box to your image.

2. Make sure the text box is tight to the text (Rectangle on bottom left corner).

3. Duplicate the layer by right-clicking on the layer and selecting "duplicate layer".

4. Select the original layer by clicking on it in the layers list (one below the one you just created).

5. Goto edit and select "Fill with FG color". Assuming that the FG color is set to the color you want behind your text.

Note: One other great tip I found is to hold shift when you have to move text as this causes the selected layer to move. It is hard to select text because most of it is empty.

Answer 3

Add background color to a text box in a photo:

1. Add the text box to your photo
2. Go to Edit top Left
3. Click on Add FG Color from the dropdown menu.
4. Select your preferred color.

Done.

Answer 4

Nobody is looking for "text/page" layout necessarily. They (me, for instance) simply want text on a plain background so's it is readable. That should be easy in a layered image manipulation programme surely? We just need it made on a layer. Well we get a text layer with gimp. But no background. So we need a transparent background layer underneath the text that has an opaque coloured block on it for the text to go over. Extra functionality if we can merge those two layers. Easier to handle. Extra functionality now because we can move that merged layer any place we want. But ignore the 'extras' and merge all down in to one image and there it is. And that's 'image manipulation'. Not 'text layout'.

Answer 5

GIMP 2.8.18

Easy and quick:

Add the desired text - suggest you "pad" the ends of the text string with spaces (will look better when done).

Get the desired background color set up (generally at the bottom of the toolbox). I've selected white as the background color below:

With the newly created text box still selected, Edit -> Fill with BG Color

Said newly created text box will now be a solidly-colored rectangle.

With the Text tool selected, left-click on said solidly-colored rectangle. This will pull up a Confirm Text Editing box. Click the Create New Layer button. You may have to adjust the position of the now-visible text box a bit...

Done.