How to open a Layer Style in Photoshop?

How to Open a Layer Style in Adobe Photoshop: A Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial on Working with .ASL Files

Whether designing dramatic text effects, adding texture to your artwork, or creating mockups that pop, Photoshop Layer Styles will be a game-changer. These handy presets will automatically create complex visual effects—like shadows, bevels, texture, glows, etc.—with just the click of a button. But if you're new to Photoshop or just don't know the secret to importing layer styles, the .asl file format may seem a bit confusing.

In this tutorial, we'll walk you through everything you want to learn about .ASL files, installing and utilizing them, and why they're so immensely handy for designers.

✅ What Is a Photoshop Layer Style?
Let's begin by first explaining what a Photoshop Layer Style is before we dive into the technicalities.

A Layer Style is a collection of one or more effects on one layer in Photoshop. These effects could include:

Drop Shadows

Inner and Outer Glows

Bevel and Emboss

Satin

Color Overlay

Gradient Overlay

Pattern Fill

Stroke

All of these kinds of effects, when saved together, can be reused as presets to another project. That's what the .asl file is used for.

What Is an .ASL File?
.ASL is Adobe Style Layer. It is a Photoshop file type used for saving sets of layer style presets. Think of it as a virtual toolbox where all the pre-created effects are at your fingertips. When you bring an .asl file into Photoshop, you're opening the gates to all the pre-stored layer styles inside.

These files are especially common in:

Design marketplaces

Creative bundles

Texture and text effect packs

Artist and studio custom toolkits

If you’ve downloaded a pack of Photoshop styles—such as metallic text effects, vintage print textures, or neon glow effects—you probably have an .asl file ready to go.

How to Import a Layer Style (.ASL) in Adobe Photoshop
Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing and using .asl files in Photoshop.

Step 1: Open Photoshop
Open Adobe Photoshop on your computer. These directions are for most recent versions of Photoshop CC, but the same procedure is used for Photoshop CS6 or any previous versions of Photoshop.

Step 2: Open the Styles Panel
Click the top Window menu and make sure Styles has a checkmark next to it.

Window > Styles

This will open up the Styles panel, and you'll see all your loaded styles in there.

Step 3: Access the Styles Panel Menu
In the top-right corner of the Styles panel, click the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) to bring up the fly-out menu.

Step 4: Select "Import Styles" or "Load Styles"
In newer versions of Photoshop, choose:

Import Styles…

In older versions, it might read:

Load Styles…

It will bring up a file browser window.

Step 5: Find Your .ASL File
Go to the .asl file you downloaded. These should typically be in your Downloads folder or where you have saved the design resource pack.

Double click the .asl file and click Open.

Step 6: Done! Your Styles Are Now Loaded
You'll see the new layer styles appear in the Styles panel now. Each style is represented by a small thumbnail. Hover over them to see their names (if offered), or just start applying them to your layers.

Applying a Loaded Layer Style
It's easy to apply a layer style:

Select the layer you want to style (text, shape, image, etc.)

Click one of the thumbnails in the Styles panel

Effects take immediate effect!

All styles are editable. You simply need to double-click on the "fx" icon on the layer to launch the Layer Style dialog box, from where you can modify each effect individually.

Pro Tip: Save Your Favorite Layer Styles
After changing or downloading new styles, save them as a new .asl file to reuse them.

Here's how:

Open the Styles panel

Click the hamburger icon

Choose Export Selected Styles…

Save the .asl file wherever you wish

This is great for creating personal libraries or having style share with your team or other designers.

Why Use .ASL Files and Layer Styles?
Layer Styles save time and maintain consistency. Instead of having to create the same bevel, shadow, or gradient on several text or icons manually, click to apply a pre-built preset. That frees up more time designing—and less time tweaking settings.

Designers use .asl files for:

Maintaining branding elements consistent

Speeding up prototyping

Adding visual effects without extra layers

Creating reusable design systems

They are especially useful for mockups, text treatments, social media, and print-ready work.

Removing or Resetting Styles
If your Styles panel is becoming cluttered or you want to return to the default selection:

Open the Styles panel menu

Select Reset Styles

Choose to append or overwrite current styles

This gives you a blank slate or sets up multiple style sets for a specific project.

⚙️ Troubleshooting: Can't See the Style Effects?
Nothing occurs when you click on a style:

Check to make sure that the layer you're putting it on isn't locked

Check if it's a smart object — try rasterizing it first

Double-click the layer to access the Layer Style window and see if the effects were done but hidden

Also, check that the style will be usable in your document's existing resolution. Some styles (e.g., grunge or texture effects) will look different smaller or larger.

Where to Find Quality .ASL Files
Want to expand your collection of Photoshop layer styles? You can find .asl files in:

Design marketplaces like Our Website, Creative Market, Envato, and Gumroad

Free content on Behance and Dribbble

Product packs that offer hundreds of layer styles in theme-based collections (metallics, neon, vintage, etc.)

Influencer or design studio custom tools

Make sure the pack includes high-resolution previews and is for your version of Photoshop.

Final Thoughts
Photoshop Layer Styles and .asl files are a simple but powerful way to take your workflow to the next level. If you can import and use them, you unlock a new level of speed, consistency, and creative ability.

Whether you're using dingy old textures, neon glowing goodness, or shiny metallic coatings, the ability to quickly apply and adjust styles to multiple layers simplifies your design workflow and makes you look like a pro.

Now that you know how to open a layer style in Adobe Photoshop, go ahead and experiment with some of the .asl files and see how they can elevate your next project to the next level.

Happy designing!⚡

Want to get started with some free Photoshop styles? Check out our free layer styles pack or browse through our complete collection of premium styles tailored for creators who like robust, plug-and-play effects with minimal setup.