You’ve created a beautiful-looking, complex layer style in Photoshop. Now you want to use the same style on different layers. Don’t worry, you don’t need to recreate the effects all over again. It’s actually very simple to copy effects from one layer to another. This tutorial shows you how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop – with just 3 clicks!
How do you apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop?
Photoshop layer styles are an easy way to create cool effects for text and other objects. Photoshop’s layer style palette offers you altogether ten layer effects that you can apply and modify to your heart’s content. Plus, there’s a whole lot more of blending options you can use to achieve the exact effect you have in mind.
So, now that you’ve added all the Glow, Stroke, Shadow, and Overlay effects to a layer, how can you apply the layer style to other layers without having to recreate the style all over again?
This is exactly what you’re going to learn in this Photoshop tutorial!
It’s actually pretty easy. I’ll show you, step-by-step, how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop. All you need to do is make three clicks!
I’m working with Photoshop CS6 in this tutorial, but you can use the techniques with any other recent version, including Photoshop CC.
To apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop, these are the three steps you'll need to follow:
How to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop
In this tutorial, I’ll be working with a Transparent 3D Text Effect that you can download for free from the Freebie Library.
For the example, I’ve already applied the effect to the first layer that contains the words ‘Layer Styles’.
A look at the layers panel shows you which effects I’ve applied to the layer.
Now, I want to add the same style to all the other layers in my document.
As you can see, I have six more layers above the bottom layer that includes the text effects.
The word ‘Photoshop’ and the letters ‘F’ and ‘X’ are all on separate layers because I’m using different fonts and have rotated the F and the X a little bit.
Then there are still the two little hearts and the dots on individual layers, too.
Right now, my picture looks like this, with black text and shapes to which I want to apply my layer style.
This is my starting point… Now let’s jump straight into our tutorial on how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop!
STEP 1: Copy the layer style
The first thing we need to do is copy the layer style.
To copy a layer style, go to your layers panel and right-click on the layer you want to copy the style from.
Then select ‘Copy Layer Style‘ from the pop-up menu.
STEP 2: Select the layers to apply the layer style to
Next, you want to select the layers that you want to apply the style to.
To select multiple layers in Photoshop at the same time, click on the top layer, hold the Shift key, and then click on the bottom layer you want to copy the style to.
This selects the first and the last layer, plus all layers in between.
STEP 3: Paste the layer style to the selected layers
With the layers selected, right-click on any of the layers to bring up the pop-up menu again.
This time, select ‘Paste Layer Style‘ from the menu.
Taking a look at your layers panel, you’ll see that all the selected layers you pasted the style to are now marked with the fx icon.
That means you’ve applied the layer style to all those layers.
A click on the little down arrow at the right will reveal the same layer effects that you have on your bottom layer.
And that was already it. Congratulations, you’ve just learned how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop! ♥
How do you change and apply an effect to multiple layers in Photoshop at the same time?
Now, let’s say I’m still working on my layer style, editing some of the effects, or switching one effect off and another one on.
If I want all layers to look the same, I would have to copy and paste the modified layer style to all layers again – each time I’m making a change to it.
But wait… there’s still an easier way for how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop. A way that also allows you to edit the effects for all layers at the same time!
… and that is by placing all layers with the same layer style into one group!
Applying a layer style to a group of layers
Let’s say I want to switch off the Bevel & Emboss Effect for all the layers.
So instead of clicking on the Eye icon next to Bevel & Emboss of all my seven layers, I’ll just need to make one click on the group effect.
So let’s see how that goes:
Step 1: Select the layers to place into the group
First of all, select all the layers that you want to place into one group.
Click on the bottom layer, then hold the Shift key, and click on the top layer.
Step 2: Create a new group from the selected layers
There are two ways you can create a new group from the selected layers.
Number 1, you can click on the Layers Panel Menu icon (the little arrow next to the four lines) in the top right corner of the layers panel.
From there, select ‘New Group from Layers‘ from the pop-up menu.
Way #2: Drag the selected layers down to the folder icon at the bottom of your layers panel.
This will create a new group from the layers, too.
You can type in a new name for the group, or simply keep the default name.
Step 3: Copy the layer style
Now we need to copy the layer style that is already applied to one layer within the group to all the layers in the group.
Open the group by clicking on the little arrow and go to the layer with the style you want to copy.
Right-click on the layer again and select ‘Copy Layer Style‘ from the pop-up menu.
Step 4: Paste the layer style to the group
Instead of selecting all the individual layers you want to apply the style to, you now right-click on the group itself and choose ‘Paste Layer Style‘ from there.
Once you’ve pasted the layer style to the group, you’ll see all the effects appear right below the group name.
But you’ll also notice that the layer you copied the style from looks different.
That’s because it now has the same layer style applied to it twice: on the layer itself, and then again from within the group.
Don’t worry, it’s very easy to fix that.
Go to the layer in the group that still has the layer style applied to it. Right-click on it and select ‘Clear Layer Style‘ from the pop-up menu.
Now all the layers in the group look the same, and you can easily make changes to all the layers in the group by just editing an effect once.
For example, if I now switch off the Bevel & Emboss Effect by clicking on the Eye icon, the changes immediately apply to the entire group. Super-practical… 😊
Step 1 to 4 of applying a layer style to a group of layers.
How do you copy edits from one picture to another?
One last thing at the end of this tutorial on how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop.
These techniques do not only work if you want to copy a layer style to other layers in the same document. You can also copy and paste a style from one Photoshop document to another!
No need to recreate the effect in the new document all over again.
Just make sure to have both documents open, and then simply follow the same steps to copy your edits from one picture to the other!
Copying layer styles from one picture to another in Photoshop.
Get your FREE Transparent 3D Text Effect
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I hope that this tutorial on how to apply a layer style to multiple layers in Photoshop was helpful. If you found any value in it, please feel free to share it with other artists so they can also learn from it!
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments. Make sure to sign up for my email list below so you don’t miss out on new Photoshop tutorials, perks for subscribers and other cool stuff. ♥
Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great layout.
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