Add a stroke to a frame

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to add a stroke to a frame in Adobe Photoshop to create borders around your images or design elements.

Adding a stroke to a frame in Photoshop creates a defined border around your image, enhancing its visual impact and helping it stand out. You can customize the stroke's color, width, and alignment to achieve different design effects.

Before you begin

Draw a frame with the Frame Tool and place an image into it.

Adobe Photoshop deeplink

Try it in the app
Use the Frame tool to create a placeholder frame in a few simple steps.

Select the frame layer in the Layers panel.

Select fx at the lower-left corner of the Layers panel.

In the Properties panel, select the Stroke options section. The Layer Style dialog box opens.

Tip

Select Window > Properties to open the panel if the Properties panel isn't visible.

Select a stroke type, solid Color, Gradient, or Pattern from the Fill Type dropdown menu.

Select the color swatch to choose a color from the Color Picker.

Adjust the stroke width by entering a value in the Size field or using the slider.

Set the stroke Position by choosing InsideCenter, or Outside to determine where the stroke appears relative to the frame edge.

For Gradient or Pattern strokes, you can adjust the angle value to rotate the strokes.

Select OK to apply the changes. The stroke appears around the frame.

Photoshop interface with a selected circular frame containing an image, and stroke effect applied via Layer Style.
Apply a stroke to highlight framed content to make it visually distinct and enhance design clarity.