How Do I Insert a Symbol in Photoshop?

September 8, 2023 photoshop

In this tutorial, we will learn how to insert symbols in Photoshop. Symbols can be useful in various graphic design projects, adding a touch of creativity and uniqueness. Whether you want to use a heart symbol for a love-themed design or a music note symbol for a music-related project, Photoshop makes it easy to incorporate these symbols into your designs.

Step 1: Open Photoshop

If you haven't done so already, open Adobe Photoshop on your computer. Once it's launched, create a new document or open an existing one where you want to insert the symbol.

Step 2: Select the Text Tool

To insert a symbol in Photoshop, you'll need to use the Text Tool. Locate the Text Tool icon in the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen. It looks like a capital letter "T". Click on it to select the Text Tool.

Step 3: Choose your Font

Before inserting the symbol, choose the font that you want to use. Different fonts have different symbols available. To change the font, look for the "Font Family" dropdown menu at the top of your screen. Click on it and select your desired font from the list.

Step 4: Inserting Symbols

Now that you have selected both the Text Tool and your desired font, it's time to insert the symbol into your design.

Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Some symbols can be easily inserted using keyboard shortcuts. For example:

♥: Press Alt + 3 (on Windows) or Option + Shift + K (on Mac) to insert a heart symbol.
♫: Press Alt + 13 (on Windows) or Option + 8 (on Mac) to insert a music note symbol.

Method 2: Using Glyphs Panel

If the symbol you want to insert is not available through keyboard shortcuts, you can use the Glyphs panel in Photoshop. Here's how:

Open the Glyphs Panel: Go to "Window" in the top menu and select "Glyphs" from the dropdown list. The Glyphs panel will appear on your screen.
Select a Symbol: In the Glyphs panel, browse through the available symbols until you find the one you want to insert. Click on it to select it.
Insert the Symbol: With the symbol selected in the Glyphs panel, click on the "Insert" button at the bottom of the panel. The symbol will be inserted at your cursor's location in your Photoshop document.

Congratulations! You have successfully inserted a symbol in Photoshop. You can now resize, reposition, or further customize it as per your design requirements.

Tips for Working with Symbols

Experiment with Different Fonts: Not all fonts have symbols available, so feel free to try out different fonts until you find one that suits your needs.
Create Custom Symbols: If you can't find a specific symbol, consider creating it yourself using shapes and other tools within Photoshop.
Add Effects and Styles: Once you have inserted a symbol, you can apply various effects and styles to enhance its appearance. Experiment with layer styles, blending modes, and filters to make your symbol stand out.

With these simple steps, you can easily insert symbols into your Photoshop designs. Symbols are a great way to add visual interest and convey specific meanings in your graphic design projects. So go ahead and get creative with symbols in Photoshop!