How to draw a text string image horizontally by using imagestring() function in PHP?

The imagestring() function is a built-in PHP function used to draw a text string horizontally on an image. It requires the GD extension to be enabled for image manipulation.

Installation: Ensure PHP GD extension is installed and enabled in your PHP configuration.

Syntax

bool imagestring($image, $font, $x, $y, $string, $color)

Parameters

The imagestring() function accepts six parameters −

• $image − An image resource created by functions like imagecreate() or imagecreatetruecolor().

• $font − Font size ranging from 1 to 5 for built-in fonts (1 is smallest, 5 is largest).

• $x − Horizontal position (X-coordinate) of the upper-left corner where text starts.

• $y − Vertical position (Y-coordinate) of the upper-left corner where text starts.

• $string − The text string to be drawn on the image.

• $color − A color identifier created using imagecolorallocate().

Return Value

Returns true on success or false on failure.

Example 1

Drawing multiple text strings with different font sizes −

<?php
   // Create the size and image by using imagecreate() function
   $img = imagecreate(700, 300);

   // Set the background color of the image
   $background_color = imagecolorallocate($img, 0, 0, 255);

   // Set the text color of the image
   $text_color = imagecolorallocate($img, 255, 255, 255);

   // Function to create an image that contains the string
   imagestring($img, 5, 180, 150, "Tutorialspoint", $text_color);
   imagestring($img, 3, 160, 120, "Simply Easy Learning", $text_color);
   
   header("Content-Type: image/png");
   imagepng($img);
   imagedestroy($img);
?>

Example 2

Creating an image with custom colors and single text string −

<?php
   // Create the size of the image or blank image
   $img = imagecreate(700, 300);

   // Set the background color of the image
   $background_color = imagecolorallocate($img, 122, 122, 122);

   // Set the text color of the image
   $text_color = imagecolorallocate($img, 255, 255, 0);

   // Function to create an image that contains a string
   imagestring($img, 4, 30, 60, "Tutorialspoint: Simply Easy Learning", $text_color);
   
   header("Content-Type: image/png");
   imagepng($img);
   imagedestroy($img);
?>

Key Points

• Font sizes range from 1 (smallest) to 5 (largest) for built-in fonts.

• Coordinates (0,0) represent the top-left corner of the image.

• Always use imagedestroy() to free up memory after image processing.

• The function draws text horizontally only; use imagestringup() for vertical text.

Conclusion

The imagestring() function provides a simple way to add horizontal text to images in PHP. It's ideal for creating basic text overlays, watermarks, or simple graphics with textual content.