Ultimate Roundup of Photoshop Custom Shapes
For graphic designers, custom shapes for Photoshop can prove to be a huge timesaver. Custom shapes are a preset similar to brushes, gradients, patterns, and layer styles. Photoshop comes with a small selection of shapes pre-installed and you can download and install other sets of shapes, or create your own.
Custom shapes are vectors, so they can be scaled to any size, making them extremely versatile. If there is a particular shape or element that you re-use frequently, having it in custom shape format will save you a lot of time. You can also make use of shapes to avoid the need to design or create something from scratch.
Thankfully, there are many quality sets of custom shapes that can be downloaded for free. We’ve searched high and low to find the best custom shapes available today, and we’ve compiled them here on this page especially for you.
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The Best Free Photoshop Custom Shapes
You’ll find shapes that are silhouettes of people, animals, objects, decorative elements, and much more.
Laurels and Calligraphy Shapes
My favorite pack of free custom shapes for Photoshop, this one includes a total of 65 different elements that will prove to be extremely useful for your web and graphic design projects.
With this large pack of 72 Photoshop custom shapes, you’ll be able to add a wide variety of elements to your designs, from hand-drawn elements to other shapes that would be useful in kid-friendly designs.
This pack includes 60 different shapes that feature people. There are shapes of people walking and standing.
Add your choice of 8 different skateboarders with the help of this free pack.
With the help of this free set, you can add silhouettes of basketball players to your designs instantly. There are 36 different options included.
Use this set of 29 fashion silhouettes to add a variety of different poses to your designs.
We think you’ll love this set of 15 shapes of robots and spaceships. The rocket shape is especially awesome.
This pack includes 12 house silhouettes of different sizes.
With these 15 different flames shapes at your disposal, you’ll be able to add awesome elements to your designs with almost no effort.
Download this set of 10 shapes and you’ll be able to add a variety of decorative designs very easily.
This set includes five tags that could be used in many different ways.
You’ll find this set of 15 badge and shield shapes to come in very handy. These are the types of shapes that get used frequently and having the custom shapes already in Photoshop will save you a lot of time.
This set of 10 banners and ribbons is perfect for easily adding decorative elements to your designs.
This massive collection of 300 shapes will give you just about any type of star you can imagine.
The 200 shapes in this pack are more like sunbursts and swirls than standard stars, but they can be equally useful.
This 3rd pack includes another 200 star shapes to give you even more options.
This pack includes 51 different custom shapes that you can use to add decorative ornaments to your design.
This volume is a follow up with an additional 65 ornaments. Some of the shapes in this pack are more intricate and detailed compared to the first pack.
You’ll get 8 custom shapes created from paint splatters by downloading this free pack.
Get 24 different types and styles of snowflakes with this free set. No two snowflakes are the same, and with this set you’ll get plenty of variety to use different shapes.
With this free pack you’ll have 31 different sun styles and shapes that can be inserted to your designs in Photoshop.
Looking for a ribbon that could be used in Photoshop? This set includes three custom shapes. All three are pretty similar with only minor differences.
Use this collection of 21 shapes to add a variety of different types of trees within your designs.
Here you’ll find 24 different shapes of dead trees, as opposed to the live trees above.
In case the previous set didn’t give you what you’re looking for, here are another 24 dead tree silhouettes from the same designer.
This pack offers 18 leafless winter trees that will add some variety to the trees from the previous packs.
Download this free set of Photoshop custom shapes to be able to quickly and easily add animal silhouettes to your designs. The pack includes 20 different animals to give you plenty of variety.
Easily add birds to your nature-inspired designs with these 12 custom shapes. Most include a single bird but there are two options that include multiple birds.
This set of 21 shapes includes butterflies and insects. The edges are intentionally a bit rough and textured in places, which adds some character to the design.
Here you’ll get 20 shapes of insects and different types of bugs.
This is probably the best set of Photoshop custom shapes that you’ll find for sea animals and creatures. By downloading the set you’ll get 27 different shapes to include in your arsenal.
This set of 12 shapes includes some fish and sea animals as well as boats and other sea-related shapes.
With this free pack, you’ll get a total of 27 custom shapes (not all of them are shown in the image below) that include ships, submarines, an anchor, and skulls.
Download the aircraft custom shapes and you’ll be able to add a variety of jets, planes, and helicopters to your designs. There is even a shape for a hot air balloon. There are 21 total shapes in this set.
While the previous set includes shapes for modern aircraft, this pack gives you ten shapes from World War 2 era planes.
There could be many scenarios where it would be helpful to have map shapes that could be easily used in Photoshop. This free set includes 3 shapes: a full world map, a US map, and a UK map.
Custom Shapes Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Photoshop Custom Shapes?
Custom shapes are a Photoshop preset (CSH file format). They can be saved or installed in Photoshop and then re-used to save time. Although they are called shapes, they do not have to be traditional shapes like squares and circles. You can create custom shapes for other things like design elements, people, animals, etc.
How Do I Get Custom Shapes?
A small selection of shapes comes pre-installed with Photoshop. You can also download sets of shapes or create your own. To save your own shapes, go to Edit > Define Custom Shape.
How Do I Install Custom Shapes in Photoshop?
If you have Photoshop open, all you need to do is double click on the CSH file and it will be automatically installed. To use the shapes, go to the Custom Shapes Tool (keyboard shortcut 'U').
What Are the Limitations of Photoshop Custom Shapes?
Because they are vector shapes, they will not include high levels of detail. Brush presets would be a more appropriate way to save detailed designs. Shapes are often silhouettes and other simple designs.
Are Custom Shapes Vectors?
Yes, they are vectors and can be scaled to any size without losing sharpness or quality.
