Photoshop: Frosted Glass Signature Photo

Step 1: Open the source image

① In Online PS (zaixianps.cc), click File → Open (or simply drag the file in)

② Choose the portrait you prepared (1080×1080 PNG/JPG recommended).

Step 2: Draw the rectangle

① Select the Rectangle tool in the toolbar on the left (U)

② Drag out a rectangle on the canvas; size and position are up to you (see the example below).

③ In the options bar, set Fill to #00000000 (fully transparent) and Stroke to #ffffff at 2px, so you can find it again later.

Step 3: Duplicate the original layer and move it to the top

① Select Layer 0 (the original portrait) on the left.

② Ctrl + J (Windows) / ⌘ + J (Mac) to duplicate → you get Layer 1.

③ Drag Layer 1 to the top of the Layers panel (above the rectangle).

Step 4: Clip Layer 1 to the rectangle

① In the Layers panel, select the rectangle layer first, then hold Alt (Windows) / Option (Mac) and click the lower edge of Layer 1 until the clipping mask icon appears.

Result: Layer 1 is now only visible inside the rectangle.

Step 5: Gaussian Blur (the frosted glass)

① Keep Layer 1 selected (the clipped one).

② Menu Filter → Blur → Gaussian Blur… (or Ctrl + Alt + G)

③ Set Radius to 20 px and click OK.

Step 6: Filter Gallery → Distort → Glass

① Keep Layer 1 selected.

② Filter → Filter Gallery… → go to Distort → Glass.

③ Recommended settings:

    • Distortion: 5

    • Smoothness: 2

    • Texture: default (or pick your own)

Click OK.

Step 7: Add a ripple distortion to the rectangle layer

① In the Layers panel, select the rectangle layer (not Layer 1).

② Filter → Distort → Ripple… (or Filter → Distort → Wave — either one works)

Recommended settings (Ripple):
  • Amount: 30
  • Size: 20
This puts a slight ripple on the glass edge and gives it more depth.

Step 8: Add a drop shadow (layer style)

① Right-click Layer 1 → Blending Options….

② Tick Drop Shadow and set:

  • Blend Mode: Multiply
  • Opacity: 60%
  • Angle: 120° (light from the upper left)
  • Distance: 10 px
  • Spread: 0%
  • Size: 15 px
Click OK.

Step 9: Load the highlights with Ctrl + Alt + 2

① Press Ctrl + Alt + 2 (Windows) or ⌘ + Option + 2 (Mac). Photoshop creates a new layer called Highlight containing a copy of the highlights in the current selection.

② Move the Highlight layer above Layer 1.

Step 10: Duplicate the highlight layer → Radial Blur

① Select the Highlight layer and press Ctrl + J to duplicate it into Layer 2.

② Menu Filter → Blur → Radial Blur…

Recommended settings:
  • Method: Zoom
  • Blur amount: 60
  • Center: click the center of the canvas, so it lines up with the middle of the rectangle.
Click OK.

③ In the Layers panel, change Layer 2's Blending Mode to Overlay to strengthen the glow.

Step 11: Add the text (the signature)

① Select the Type tool in the toolbar on the left (T).

② Click inside the rectangle and type your nickname or signature.

Recommended fonts: PingFang, STXihei, Pacifico (a script face).

Adjust the size and color (white or pale pink are the usual picks), and add a touch of glow under Layer Style → Outer Glow / Drop Shadow for legibility.

Done 🎉

You now have a frosted glass signature photo.

Export: File → Export As → PNG/JPEG, save it locally and use it on social media.