Outline text in GIMP

(GIMP 2.10 is used)

Problem

We want to add text with outline to image.

Here is what we expect. (This is Matsumoto castle from Japan. I took this photo in 2017.)

Solution

We can use GIMP (it's free) to do it.

1. Open you image (File => Open...)

2. Use the Text tool by clicking icon with a character "A"

Select font style you want (e.g. font type and size). I prefer "Impact Condensed" font.

Use white color as text color.

3. Add the text to the image

4. Right click the text layer and choose Alpha to Selection

Only the text is now selected.

5. Grow the selection. (Select => Grow...)

Put the size you want to grow the selection and click OK.

Selection is grown.

6. Add a new layer (Layer => New Layer...)

Make sure Fill with is set to Transparency and click OK.

A new layer is created.

7. Use the Bucket Fill tool by clicking the bucket icon.

Select black for foreground color.

Select FG color fill for Fill Type.

8. Click on the text to fill it with black color.

9. Drag the new layer under the text layer

That's it.