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Learn how to create a beautiful slice effect in Photoshop using a classic insider trick called “step and repeat”. We’ll show you how to build custom vertical bars, convert them into a non-destructive layer mask, and shift your artwork to pull off two totally different looks. This is a complete manual technique from start to finish, no AI or generative credits required!
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AFTER
BEFORE
Shift, Slice, Repeat
Learning how to build effects manually in Photoshop is one of the best ways to sharpen your editing skills. Instead of relying on automatic tools or spending generative credits, this non-destructive slice effect gives you complete control over every line, gap, and pixel. It’s a quick, fun technique that you can tweak endlessly, save as a template, and apply to any photo in your workflow.
Getting Started
1. Start by double-clicking your default Background layer to convert it into a fully editable regular layer.
2. Next, duplicate this layer by pressing Cmd/Ctrl + J so you have a working copy on top of your original image.
3. Create a brand-new blank layer on top of your stack by clicking the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
4. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (Keyboard Shortcut “M”), click and drag to draw a thin vertical selection, and fill it with solid white by going to Edit > Fill and choosing White.
Step and Repeat
5. With your new white line selected on the top layer, press Option + Cmd + T (Mac) or Alt + Ctrl + T (PC) to open the transform box for the initial step.
6. Hold Shift, drag the white bar slightly to the right to define your spacing, and press Enter or click the checkmark to accept the change.
7. Next, execute the repeat command by holding Shift + Option + Cmd and hitting T repeatedly (Mac) or Shift + Alt + Ctrl and hitting T repeatedly (PC) to automatically duplicate the bar across the canvas.
8. Once your canvas is filled with vertical bars, press Cmd/Ctrl + D to deselect.
Create the Mask
9. Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click directly on the thumbnail of your vertical bars layer to turn all the lines into an active selection.
10. Turn off the visibility of the bars layer by clicking its eye icon in the Layers panel.
11. Select your duplicated image layer, then click the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the panel to turn that active selection into a clean vector-based mask on your top photo.
Shift Your Image
12. Select the top photo thumbnail on your masked layer and grab the Move Tool (Keyboard Shortcut “V”).
13. Hold Shift while clicking and dragging left or right to slide the image, creating a bold, overlapping duplicate effect.
14. For a completely different look, click the Chain Link icon between the photo thumbnail and the mask thumbnail to unlink them. Unlinking allows you to drag the photo independently behind the mask, sliding the subject seamlessly inside the cuts without creating double images.
