Have you downloaded overlays with motifs or image effects in JPG format and want to know how to remove the black, white or gray background? We explain how to merge the motifs or effects with your image.

Your image editing program needs these functions

To apply overlays with a background, you need layer-based image editing software that also offers you so-called blending modes.

Examples of such blending modes are multiply, copy into each other and multiply negative . They cause images that are on different layers to interact with each other in a certain way and to be offset against each other.

Programs in which this is possible include Photoshop, Affinity Photo and GIMP.

Use blending modes to remove the background from overlays

To incorporate the motifs or effects of the JPG overlays into your images, you don't need to do any complex cropping. Instead, simply use layers in combination with blending modes. This is how you proceed:

1. Add the overlay to a new layer above your image.
2. Now set the blending mode of the layer into which you have inserted the overlay (a) to Multiply Negative for a black background, (b) to Multiply for a white background and (c) to Soft Light for a gray background.
3. The motifs or effects will now appear directly in front of your image. From here, you can adjust them further, for example by changing the size, position, opacity or alignment.

You can also try out other blending modes to create different looks. If you want to understand the principle, here are three packages with motifs against different backgrounds:

• Raindrops against a black background
• Blood textures against a neutral gray background
• Autumn leaves against a white background