Use transparent overlays to tell stories with color.

A simple color transparency can do a lot for a photo. Discover how to use one to transform images into recognizable brand assets.

A collage of several people with transparent color overlays and text over them

What is a transparent overlay?

A transparent overlay is a layer of hue used to creatively change the color of an image. Transparent overlays can be a single color or multicolor. Multicolor gradients can be radial, with one color in the center that fades into another at the edges, or linear, with colors that fade into each other from top to bottom or left to right.

Effective uses of transparent overlays.

Transparent overlays are a great way to showcase brand colors in background images or hero images (prominent images in a design). A solid color background can also be effective, but an image with a color overlaid onto it can be more dynamic and have more narrative power.

Stock photos, vector graphics, and clip art are, by definition, generic. Use a transparent overlay of your brand colors to turn these resources into branded assets (images that align with a company’s brand identity).

How to apply basic transparent overlays in Adobe Photoshop.

Open the Layers palette and create a new layer.

Add your base image, the one you want to add an overlay to, onto the new layer.

Open the Layer Style dialog box.

Go to Styles and click Color Overlay.

Select and apply an overlay color.

Click the Blend Modes drop-down and select Overlay.

Move the Opacity slider to the desired level.

Do more with transparency.

Above are basic instructions for covering an entire image with a given color, but transparent overlays can be much more complex. Overlays can also include gradients, and do not have to cover the whole image.

Partial overlay effects, or shape overlays, can be just as effective as a full overlay. A band across the top, bottom, or side of the image can provide a sense of unity just as well as a full overlay can. Text effects on overlays, in your branded font, can further incorporate images and stock assets into your brand story.

Convert between color modes.

There are a myriad of ways to play with color in your projects. In this tutorial, explore how and when to change an image’s color values. Discover how to transform pixels from RGB to CMYK or grayscale, and learn best practices for preserving data when transitioning between different color modes in different media. Add colors, change colors, and convert assets into different file types.

Overlay multiple images.

Gradients and text effects are only the beginning of working with transparency. Transparent images can add a dramatic and otherworldly effect to whatever they are placed upon. With image overlays, you can craft collages, montages, and surreal dreamscapes that go beyond reality. Blend images, add textures, and add effects like double exposure to create unique art and branded assets. Explore the basics of overlaying images and learn how to combine two or more photos into one new image.

Three social media posts side by side that contain people, text, and transparent color overlays

Create with color, transparency, and opacity in Photoshop.

Photoshop has everything you need to transform images with color gradients, transparent backgrounds, text effects, and more. Work with every color effect you can think of, from solid backgrounds to flowing watercolors, and make your vision come to vibrant life.