May 25, 2021 iStock Photoshop Plugins. Shutterstock Photoshop Plugin. Unsplash’s Photoshop Plugin. Getty Photoshop Plugin. Pexels Photoshop Plugin. Use this article to fill up your creative library with useful Photoshop plugins that will save you hours during the photo-editing process. Ink is a Photoshop plugin that allows you to see additional information on a design you're creating - this includes text size, font name, color codes, and the size of your image in pixels. It also gives you grid lines to help you center and level your artwork. Image Credit: Chrometaphore. Best free Photoshop plugins: Super PNG. SuperPNG is a handy open-source Photoshop plug-in specifically for using with PNG files. It has more comprehensive support for the format than Photoshop's included plug-in and provides control over alpha-channel handling.

• January 03, 2021
• 23 min to read

Photoshop boasts countless different possibilities - no wonder it’s an all-time favorite tool amongst designers and photographers. Though, to unleash the full potential of Photoshop, you might need some extra help… This is where plug-ins fit into the picture. The following are 22 of the best plug-ins, in no particular order, that you need to add to your to-download list today.

1. Luminar AI

If you often work with raw photos, Luminar AI is a plug-in that you’d find rather helpful. With the help of AI and preset effects, it makes editing jobs like object removal and masking significantly easier. It’s available for both Lightroom as well as Photoshop.

If you’re using Photoshop CS5 or higher, you’ll love the Photoleumr 3 plug-in. This automatic photo editor uses AI to make your photos pop. Why do all the hard work, when there’s a plug-in that was created for this job? From recovering color to correcting your exposure, Photolemur 3 will make your photos just as magical as your special moments.

3. RH Hover Color Picker

The RH Hover Color Picker is ideal for designers and artists who want better color control. Published by Rico Holmes, this plug-in boasts color sliders that you can customize giving you much better control. It’s definitely better looking and less awkward than the color picker offered by Photoshop.

4. Double Exposure Photoshop Plugins

If you want to transform your ordinary photo into the one with the Double Exposure effect, you should have a closer look at this universal bundle consisting of 26 cool actions. There are tools producing Color Double Exposure, Dispersion, Splashes, Silhouette and Advanced Double Exposure effects in a matter of seconds. To get even more flexibility while editing your pictures, you can use any of 13 Photoshop brushes included in the pack. The cost is reduced to $50.

5. Texture Anarchy

If need to include rich textures into your designs, Texture Anarchy will help you to get the job done. In addition to the wide range of filters that you can use for your designs, it also enables you to create fractals.

6. ALCE 3

Photographers will love this easy-to-use plug-in. With the help of ALCE 3, you can add more depth to your photos by enhancing the contrast. What makes it so great is that it’s much easier to use than Photoshop’s unsharp mask filter.

7. GuideGuide

Designers who often make use of grids when they’re creating layouts will find the GuideGuide plug-in oh-so-useful. It allows you to save your preferences which means that you will save loads of precious time whenever you want to access it again. In addition to enabling you to create extremely accurate grids, you can also use negative margins with the help of GuideGuide.

8. Low Poly Photoshop Plugins

To make viewers look at your photos again and again, you need to give them an unusual feel. With this idea in mind, FixThePhoto has created a new collection of Low Poly Photoshop actions and supplemented them with 3 brushes and 5 nice-looking patterns. You can get all these tools just for $24.

9. Blow Up 3

Blow Up 3 will blow your mind. Thanks to this practical plug-in, you can create piercing sharp enlargements. As a matter of fact, the algorithm that this plug-in uses is better than the filters that Photoshop boasts. Next time that your client emails you a low-resolution photo, Blow Up 3 will see to it that your project will not be blown off course.

10. SuperPNG

If you work with PNG files often but don’t have access to the latest version of Photoshop yet, you’ll love the SuperPNG plugin. With the help of this plug-in, you can gain better control over the exporting process. Battling to render your PNG files will be a thing of the past!

11. 3D Invigorator

Let’s face it, the 3D process can be challenging, even for experienced designers. Though with 3D Invigorator in your arsenal of design tools, you can create 3D elements and polished final renders without breaking a sweat. This Photoshop plug-in boasts an easy-to-use object editor that will make it a lot easier to draw and edit your shapes.

12. ParticleShop

Thanks to the ParticleShop plug-in for Photoshop, you can now play around with Corel Painter tools. From fabric to fur, ParticleShop boasts over 10 brushes! These brushes will boost your productivity and help you to take your creativity to the next level.

13. Machine Wash Deluxe

Machine Wash Deluxe is definitely no washout! With the help of this Photoshop plug-in, you can add a realistic scratchy weathering effect to images. It works especially well with typography. So, if you want to add an attractive aging effect to design, this is the tool for the job.

14. B&W Effects

If you’re serious about digital photography, B&W Effects is an essential plug-in. What makes this plug-in so great is that it lets you create black and white photos that really stand out. Thanks to its conversion engine, you can transform your colored photos into magnificent monochrome pics that have just the right texture and tone.

15. Dream Suite Ultimate

Dream Suite Ultimate is one of the most comprehensive plug-ins for Photoshop that’s available on the market. It boasts an impressive range of effects that include borders, textures and tonal correction to mention only a few. What makes this plug-in so great is that it gives you access to many options in a single plug-in which means that don’t have to buy countless different plug-ins.

16. Texture Tools Industrial

If you’re in need of a metal texture to magnify your photo, the Texture Tools Industrial Photoshop plug-in offers everything that you’ll need. With 50 metal textures on offer, designers and artists can first put the metallic filters to the test before reaching for their credit card. What’s more, the plug-in also allows you to manipulate the texture so that it fits your photos.

17. Shutterstock

Designers who regularly have to work with Shutterstock can make their workflow more efficient with the help of the Shutterstock plug-in. In short, it offers you direct access to the countless stock images that the Shutterstock library boasts. This means that while you’re working inside of Photoshop, you can quickly search Shutterstock’s complete library, select and insert. Voila!

18. Watercolor Painter Plugins

Those inspired by watercolor paintings, will definitely appreciate this bundle designed by professionals. It includes 3 watercolor Photoshop actions, 14 brushes and 3 patterns aimed at giving your photos that specific look and mood. These actions are compatible with all Ps versions and cost only $35.

19. PageCurl 2

Although the functionality of this plug-in is very limited, what it does it can do brilliantly. It’s ideal for graphic designers who need to create a realistic fold and page-turn effects. So, if you regularly work with ebooks, get PageCurl 2 to promote your page-turner.

20. FlatIcon

Adobe Photoshop Plug-ins

If you need access to a large database of free vector icons, FlatIcon will make sure that your designs will not fall flat. With the help of this Photoshop plug-in, you can search for icons within Photoshop that you can download in different formats including PNG, SVG, and PSD.

21. Eye Candy

Published by Alien Skin, Eye Candy is a well-known plug-in among Photoshop users. It boasts a really impressive collection of effects which you’ll find quite handy for plenty of projects. If you find that the effect is too obvious and boring, just fiddle with the default settings to create a better effect. This plug-in might just be a lifesaver next time that you’re battling with a tight deadline.

22. Subtle Patterns

Another great plug-in that will save you a lot of time is Subtle Patterns. By adding Subtle Patterns to your plug-in list, you get access to a library of tileable, textured patterns. It’s oh-so-convenient to use as you simply click on the thumbnail of the pattern that you want to use and it will be applied to the layer that you’re currently working on.

23. Portraiture

Calling all portrait photographers! If you’re searching for a plug-in that can help you to smooth skin tone and remove imperfections without removing skin texture altogether, this is the tool just for you. What makes this plug-in so great is that it’s compatible with Aperture, Photoshop as well as Lightroom.

24. Fixel Edgehancer

Photoshop Plug-ins Mac

Fixel Edgehancer is the perfect plug-in for those who are just starting to use Photoshop. In short, it’s a quick way to emphasize the edges without increasing the surrounding pixels’ contrast.

With the help of these popular plug-ins, you’ll be able to turn Photoshop into an even more powerful tool. So, which one of these 22 plug-ins will become your favorite new tool?