How to Add Text Balloons to Pictures

Some people say that a picture is worth a thousand words; however, adding a speech balloon to your digital image can say so much more. Speech balloons, which are also known as thought balloons and speech bubbles, can be used to add humorous text to a personal photo. If you don’t own a graphics program, such as PhotoShop, you can easily create a digital image with speech balloons using one of a handful of free, graphics generator websites.

Instructions

Speechable

1. Go to the Speechable website. Click on the “From Your PC” icon. Locate the digital image on your computer and click “Open.” Your image will be imported and shown on the main screen.

2. Click the “Bubble” icon on the toolbar. A generic speech bubble will be inserted on top of your original image.

3. Edit the style of the bubble by clicking on one of the available bubble styles in the “Properties” pop-up menu.

4. Position the speech bubble at your desired location. You can move and stretch different areas of the bubble by clicking and dragging the green dots.

5. Click on the “Color” box and select a background color for your speech bubble. Next, click on the “Border” box and select a color for the bubble’s frame.

6. Choose a font style, font size and font color from the “Properties” menu.

7. Click on the “Type Here” message, which is located in the center of the speech bubble. Type your message.

8. Click the “Save” button on the main toolbar. When your new image appears, click the “Full Size” option. Right click on the photo, select the “Save Image As” option, name your image and save the new image to your computer.

Phixr

1. Go to the Phixr website and click the “Get Started” arrow button on the main page.

2. Click the “Browse” button, locate the digital image you want to use and click “Open.” Next, click the “Upload the chosen photo to Phixr” button.

3. Click the speech bubble icon on the graphics toolbar. Select the positioning of the speech bubble by clicking on one of the eight available options.

4. Edit the background color of your bubble by clicking on the “Bubble Color” box. Using your mouse, click on an area of the large color palette. If you want to add an effect to your background color, select one of the options from the “Effects” drop-down menu. Click the “Execute” button when you’re finished editing the color.

5. Select the “Text Box” icon from the graphics toolbar. Type your personal message in the text box. Next, select a font style, font size and font color. Click the “Execute” button when you’re finished editing the text inside your speech bubble.

6. Click on the “Download/Save” link at the bottom of the screen. Select a file format for your image (i.e., JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.). Click on the “Download/Save” button and save the new file to your computer.

SuperLame

1. Go to the SuperLame website and click on the “Add Comic Balloons to Your Photos” link.

2. Click on the “Upload Image” tab. Locate a personal, digital image on your computer and click on “Open.”

3. Click on the “Add a Balloon” tab. A speech bubble will be placed on top of your personal image. Position the bubble by clicking and dragging it to your desired location. Next, create a tail for your bubble by clicking on the small, blue bubble icon. Drag the icon in a horizontal or diagonal direction to position the tail of the speech bubble.

4. Double click on the “Type Here” message, which is located in the center of the speech bubble. Type your personal message in the text box.

5. Edit the text font by clicking on the “A” icon, which is located on the right side of the bubble. Continue clicking the “A” icon until you are satisfied with one of the presented fonts.

6. Click on the “Save Image” tab at the top of the screen. Your new image will appear on the main screen. If you’re satisfied with the overall look, click on the “Good” button. If you want to keep editing the overall look of the image, click on the “Back” button.

7. Click on the “Save to Disk” button at the top of the screen. Check the box next to “Save File” and save the new image to your computer.

References

• Speechable: How Many Words Are Your Pictures Worth?
• Phixr: Online Photo Editor
• SuperLame: Comic Word Balloons, Speech Bubbles and Thought Balloons