Effects — Print
Cross-hatch effect
Shade your photo with pen-and-ink cross-hatching. Adjust spacing, line width and angle for sketchbook and engraving styles.
- Status
- Live
- Category
- Settings
- 5
What is the Cross-hatch effect?
Cross-hatching is a drawing technique where sets of parallel lines cross each other at angles to build up shadow. The more layers of lines overlap, the darker the area, so a light surface may have a single set of lines while deep shadows are densely crossed.
This effect applies that logic to a photo, turning tones into pen-and-ink lines. It gives images an illustrated, editorial feel and works well for portraits and architecture.
Cross-hatch settings
- Spacing
- Line width
- Angle
- Ink
- Paper
Best photos for it
- Portraits with clear lighting
- Architecture and still life
- Editorial and sketchbook-style illustrations
Tips for better results
- Tip 01
Narrow lines with tight spacing mimic a fine technical pen; wide lines look like a marker or woodcut.
- Tip 02
Rotate the angle to suit the subject. Diagonal hatching feels natural to the eye.
- Tip 03
Pair warm paper with dark brown ink for a vintage drawing.
Common questions
What photos make the best cross-hatch drawings?
Portraits with strong side lighting give the clearest shading, because the tonal steps are easy to see.
Similar effects
- Linocut / engravingCarve your photo into engraved lines. Control line spacing, wave, wavelength and angle for linocut and engraving looks.Available
- Pencil sketchConvert a photo into a pencil drawing with adjustable detail and darkness.Available
- StippleBuild your photo from thousands of tiny dots, like a pointillist ink drawing. Set density and dot size, and choose ink and paper.Available
Also searched as: Hatching filter, Pen and ink effect, Etching-style effect.