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
Print
Settings
5
01

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.

02

Cross-hatch settings

  • Spacing
  • Line width
  • Angle
  • Ink
  • Paper
What each setting does →
03

Best photos for it

  • Portraits with clear lighting
  • Architecture and still life
  • Editorial and sketchbook-style illustrations
04

Tips for better results

  1. Tip 01

    Narrow lines with tight spacing mimic a fine technical pen; wide lines look like a marker or woodcut.

  2. Tip 02

    Rotate the angle to suit the subject. Diagonal hatching feels natural to the eye.

  3. Tip 03

    Pair warm paper with dark brown ink for a vintage drawing.

05

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.

06

Similar effects

Also searched as: Hatching filter, Pen and ink effect, Etching-style effect.