Raster effects

Recraft Studio effects let you add visual treatments to any raster image on the canvas, such as illustrations, photos, or painted textures. These effects do not apply to vector images.

You can combine multiple effects, reorder them, or remove them at any time. Effects are non-destructive; you can remove them without modifying the original image.

Accessing raster effects

Raster effects are accessed through the Adjust colors control in the context panel.

To open raster effects:

1. Select a raster image on the canvas.
2. In the right sidebar (context panel), click Adjust colors.
3. Click + in the Effects section to add an effect, such as Blur, Drop Shadow, or Stroke.

The Effects section is available only when a raster image is selected.

Drop shadow

Drop shadow adds depth by placing a soft shadow behind your image.

To add a drop shadow:

1. Select a raster image on the canvas.
2. In the right sidebar, open the Effects section and choose Drop Shadow.
3. Adjust the available controls:
   • Position (X, Y): Offsets the shadow horizontally and vertically
   • Blur: Controls how soft or sharp the shadow edge appears
   • Color: Sets the shadow color (use darker tones for natural shadows)

Tip: Drop shadow also works with images with transparent backgrounds.

Stroke

Stroke adds an outline around the frame of your raster image.

To add a stroke:

1. Select a raster image.
2. In Effects, choose Stroke.
3. Customize your outline using:
   • Weight: Controls the thickness of the outline
   • Color: Sets the outline color
   • Position:
     • Inside – stroke sits just inside the image boundary
     • Outside – stroke sits outside the image boundary
     • Center – stroke is placed half inside, half outside the boundary

Blur

Blur softens the entire image for atmospheric or stylistic effects.

To apply a blur:

1. Select a raster image.
2. In Effects, choose Blur.
3. Adjust the Strength slider to increase or decrease the blur intensity.

Blur is frequently used to create depth, soften textures, or reduce detail behind foreground elements.

Removing an effect

Each effect added appears as an entry under Effects in the right sidebar. Click – next to any effect to remove it. Removing an effect immediately resets all of its settings to default.