How to Use Stamp Visible Layer vs Flatten Image in Photoshop

How to Use Stamp Visible Layer vs Flatten Image in Photoshop

Professional photo editing requires flexibility to make adjustments without destroying your original work. Photoshop's Stamp Visible feature combines all visible layers into one new layer while preserving your adjustment layers underneath.

This approach keeps your workflow intact and allows you to continue editing, unlike flattening which destroys all individual layers permanently.

Watch the Video

Video by SandraD Imagery. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips for Using Stamp Visible

  • Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+E (Mac) to quickly create a stamp visible layer
  • Apply stamp visible when you need to use removal tools, patch tools, or other pixel-based editing on combined layers
  • Rename your stamp visible layers for better organization, especially when using multiple stamps in one project
  • Remember that stamp visible layers act as a "wall" - you cannot adjust layers beneath them after creation
  • Choose stamp visible over flatten image to maintain your adjustment layers for future edits

More Tutorials about Photoshop Layer Techniques

Explore additional creative effects and layer management techniques in Photoshop.

Unlocking the Power of Layer Masks in Photoshop
Layer masks are a fundamental feature in Photoshop that allow for greater control over images. They enable you to hide or reveal portions of a layer without permanently altering the original content. This non-destructive editing approach is beneficial for making precise adjustments to your designs. You can use layer masks
Rotate and Flip Images and Layers with Precision in Photoshop
Often in image editing, photographs or design elements are not oriented correctly or require a creative re-orientation for a new composition. This common challenge can be frustrating when simple rotation tools affect the entire canvas, disrupting other layers, or when precise control over individual elements is needed. This tutorial demonstrates
Advanced Color Grading with Apply Image Layer Masks in Photoshop
Professional color grading can transform ordinary photos into cinematic masterpieces, but heavy adjustments often create that obvious “filtered” look that screams amateur editing. The difference between natural-looking color enhancement and overdone processing lies in how the adjustments interact with your image’s existing tonal structure. This advanced technique uses layer masks

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

How to Use Gemini 2.5 Nano Banana AI in Photoshop 2026

Photoshop 2026 introduces Gemini 2.5 Nano Banana, a powerful AI model that transforms how you edit images. This advanced tool maintains scene coherence while allowing dramatic changes to poses, backgrounds, and camera angles. The technology understands context and lighting, creating realistic results that feel naturally integrated into your original...

How to Access Adobe's Free Stock Photos in Photoshop and Create Photo Collages

Adobe now includes thousands of free stock photos directly in Photoshop, making it easier than ever to find professional images for your projects. These royalty-free images work perfectly for creating dynamic photo collages without leaving the application. This tutorial covers three different methods to access these free stock images and...

Adding Atmospheric Texture Layers in Photoshop for Moody Images

Victorian London emerges from fog-shrouded streets in classic Sherlock Holmes films, where every shadow tells a story and atmosphere becomes a character itself. The interplay of light, mist, and aged textures creates that unmistakable cinematic mood that draws viewers into another world. This video demonstrates how texture layers transform ordinary...

Master Layer Comps in Photoshop for Faster Design Workflow

Design iterations can quickly spiral into chaos without proper version control. Layer Comps in Photoshop offers a powerful solution that most designers overlook, letting you save snapshots of your layer panel's visibility, position, and appearance at different stages of your project. This hidden feature transforms how you approach...

How to Create a Can Mockup in Photoshop Using Smart Objects and Masks

Professional can mockups transform flat designs into realistic product presentations that clients can instantly visualize. This technique combines precise measurement, smart object workflow, and blending modes to wrap your graphics seamlessly around curved surfaces. The process creates reusable templates that automatically apply proper perspective and lighting effects to any design...

Cutting Out Complex AI Images Using Channel Masking in Photoshop

AI-generated images often contain intricate details that challenge standard background removal tools. When automatic selection methods fail to capture complex edges and fine details, manual techniques become essential. This technique demonstrates how to use channel masking to create precise selections that preserve every detail of your AI artwork. Watch the...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.