Text Variation - Text on Text- Using a Mask

This sort of overlaid text effect was once fairly common in advertising.

To create "space" around the overlying text, you need to make a selection of your uppermost text, expand your selection and using that "expanded" selection  "cut out" your underlying text.

Now that is fine if your underlying text is a raster layer, but what if that layer is a vector? And what if you wish to move your uppermost text a smidgeon? It is certainly annoying to have to "undo/redo multiple steps".

The answer is to use a mask and link it to the top text layer:

1 First create a background layer [not absolutely necessary but I find it helps :) I used white

2 Create your bottom vector text . I used a red fill and no outline but any would do.

3 New mask layer  -show all

4 Create new vector layer for your uppermost text make sure it is NOT within this layer group but in a separate vector layer above it. [Layer > new vector layer]
 Place it in the approximate final position

5 Carefully select the actual text vector. Create a selection from vector layer. [Selection>selection from vector]

Selection>Modify> expand by 2 [or a value which suits i.e. creates a little space around your topmost text]

6 Keep selection. Go down to your mask and fill with black #000000. 

7 Select none. Notice how now part of that underlying text is masked out.
We will now link the actual mask to the overlying text.

8 While the mask layer is still selected, hold down the control Ctrl key and also select your top text and link these two.

This will enable you to move the mask and top text as one -important if you want to shift its position.

You can now alter your background to whatever you like and your bottom text layer  will stay "cut out" .

You can also convert your text layers to rasters and apply any effects or simply alter their properties. At any time later, you can move that top text layer and the cutout effect on the lower text layer will "follow" it.

Judy