Apply Stippling to images and videos online
Describe a photograph with black dots and a textured paper surface. Stippling turns light and shade into a dense ink-style pattern for portraits, objects, and monochrome editorial artwork.
Before
After
Ideas for using the effect
Pen-and-ink portraits
Keep a face's silhouette and lighting readable while replacing smooth shading with dots.
Botanical illustrations
Use leaves, flowers, and seed heads as subjects for a dotted natural-history-inspired treatment.
Monochrome packaging art
Prepare a textured illustration that sits comfortably beside a limited-color identity.
Zine interiors
Unify photographs from different sources through a shared black-dot treatment.
Made with this effect
More inspiration on Instagram @effect_app
Use Stippling in Photoshop, Figma or on your desktop
One account, the same effect everywhere.
In Photoshop
Apply it to a layer in Photoshop 2022 and later, on macOS or Windows. The plugin renders on your own GPU and hands the result back as pixels on a new layer.
get the Photoshop plugin →In Figma
Run it on images and frames without leaving the canvas. The Figma plugin is this same editor, pointed at whatever you have selected.
get the Figma plugin →On desktop
Install the macOS or Windows app when you want a window of its own, with your account and your presets already there.
download the desktop app →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply Stippling online?
Open the Stippling preset, add your image or video, and adjust the loaded effect layers to suit your source. Preview the result before exporting.
What creates the stippled shading?
The preset uses Curves, black circular marks from Scatter, Paper Scan, and sharpening. Dot placement and the source's tonal structure create the impression of shaded ink.
How do I avoid solid black patches?
Ease the first Curves layer, then adjust Scatter density and mark size. Preserve small gaps in dark regions so the dots remain visible instead of becoming a single mass.
Is this the same as a halftone filter?
This preset uses scattered marks for an irregular dotted appearance. A regular Halftone Screen creates an ordered printing pattern; both describe tone, but their spacing and overall texture differ.
Can it work on video?
Yes. The dots respond to the changing image. Start with slow movement and a clear subject, then preview at delivery size to check that the fine pattern stays readable through motion.