Adding a Vertical Gradient to Text in GIMP. Sure you can create plain solid-colored text in the Gnu Image Manipulation Program, but sometimes your text needs a little more pizzazz.

Try adding brightly colored text with a bold halftone line gradient. The character panel can’t create this kind of text effect, but you’ll find it easy enough to do yourself.

Every aspect of type in Adobe Illustrator can be treated as a vector-drawing object with a fill and a stroke, or even a gradient fill, while preserving the ability to edit the text later.