How to blur background in Figma

In this guide, you will learn how to apply a blur effect to a frame in Figma using the design menu. Follow the detailed steps to achieve the desired blurring of an element in your design project.

Step 1

To begin applying a blur effect in Figma, first select the frame you wish to blur.

Navigate to the design menu located on the right side of the interface. Within this menu, find the effects section and click on it.

In the effects section, click on 'Add a new effect' by clicking the '+' symbol within it.

Step 2

Once the new effect is added, a drop-down menu will appear. Click on this menu and select 'Layer Blur.' The blur effect has now been successfully applied to your chosen frame.

Pro tips to blur background in Figma

1. Apply Blur to an Object:
   Select the object (image, shape, or frame) you want to blur. In the right sidebar under the Effects section, click the + icon and choose Background Blur or Layer Blur from the dropdown.

2. Adjust Blur Intensity:
   After applying the blur, use the slider to adjust the blur intensity. You can increase or decrease the amount of blur to achieve your desired effect.

3. Use Gaussian Blur for More Control:
   For more precise control over the blur effect, use Gaussian Blur, which gives you smoother and more gradual blurring.

4. Blurring Images or Frames:
   If you’re blurring an image or frame, ensure that the image is selected. You can blur the image without affecting other design elements.

5. Multiple Blurs on Layers:
   You can apply multiple blur effects to different layers. For example, if you want a blurred background with clear text, apply the blur to the background layer only.

Common pitfalls to blur background in Figma

1. Blurring the Wrong Layer:
   Fix: Double-check the layer you’ve selected before applying the blur. Use the Layers Panel to ensure you’re editing the correct layer.

2. Overusing the Blur Effect:
   Fix: Don’t apply too much blur to important elements like text or logos, as it can reduce readability. Use blur sparingly for design emphasis.

3. Unintended Clarity After Blur:
   Fix: If applying blur to images results in unwanted clarity, adjust the blur amount and experiment with different effects like Gaussian Blur to achieve the desired look.

4. Blur Not Showing on Export:
   Fix: If the blur effect isn’t showing when you export, ensure you are exporting in a high resolution (PNG or SVG) for better quality.

Common FAQs to blur background in Figma

1. Can I blur text in Figma?
   While you can blur vector shapes and images, you cannot directly apply a blur to text in Figma. However, you can rasterize text into a shape and then apply the blur effect.

2. How can I blur the background of a design?
   Select the background layer or image, apply the Layer Blur effect, and adjust the intensity. This is great for creating focus on the foreground elements.

3. Can I control the blur’s direction?
   Figma’s blur effect applies uniformly. If you need a directional blur (like motion blur), you’ll need to use external image editing tools like Photoshop or Illustrator before importing the image back into Figma.

4. Will the blur effect stay after exporting the design?
   Yes, the blur effect will stay in the exported design as long as the file is saved in a supported format like PNG or JPG.

5. Is there a way to blur only part of an image?
   Yes, you can use a mask in Figma to isolate a specific area of the image and apply the blur effect only to that part.

This is a step by step guide on how to blur background in Figma