Anti-aliasing is the term used to describe how the edges of shapes - or text, get rendered with pixels. With anti-aliasing turned off, pixels are either just “on” or “off” and you see jagged edges. In some scenarios, turning off anti-aliasing is the best option.  With anti-aliasing on, the edges of shapes have semi-transparent pixels applied to give a smoother appearance.

Therefore, the very best solution for crisp, smooth edges, is to try different Fonts and Anti-aliasing settings, (or turn Anti-aliasing off altogether), and discover the best course of action for your text’s/shape’s needs.

Tip
To retain the crispness of your text; (unless it is made up of lots of colours - or is a gradient): always save it as a GIF - as opposed to saving it as a JPEG or a PNG.   [1] Paint Shop Pro Explanation - [2] Photoshop Explanation.

If you are working with very large text, and are keeping it large - the different Anti-aliasing and Text settings matter much less. However, with a block of small text, you are able to see how dramatically the different types of anti-aliasing matter.

When creating small shapes or text, I find the best approach is to open a fairly large New Image, much larger than is necessary, (600 pixels X 600 pixels or similar dimensions), then set the Resolution to a minimum of 300.  Now, activate the Text/Type or Custom/Preset Shape Tool, and apply your Text or Custom Shape as usual; - making it large enough to nearly fill the large canvas.  Then reduce the Text’s/Shape’s size, as demonstrated further down this page.

Note
I tend to utilise one of the Arial family fonts when creating small text, (with a Bold setting); however, for personal results, experiment with your Font collection.  For maximum readability, don’t choose a font-size that is too small: regardless of how you prepare very small font-sizes, they will never look sharp and crisp.

Tip
Duplicating the text’s Layer can produce a stronger result: if necessary, you can then reduce the Opacity of the Duplicated Layer.

After you have applied your Text or Shape; Rasterise it if necessary, (Layer then Rasterise/Convert to Raster Layer).  Then from the top menu, Photoshop students, choose Edit then choose Transform then choose Scale.  Paint Shop Pro students, from the Toolbar, activate the Deform/Deformation/Pick Tool, (depending on your version).  Then, Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 X3 Photo, from the Tool Options Ribbon, change the Mode to Scale. Paint Shop Pro 7, as you resize the Deformation Bounding Box, (at the same time), press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Alt Key - this resizes your Text/Shape in proportion.

Now, (Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro students), reduce your Text/Shape’s size by grabbing the top-right transformation handle (that is attached to the large Transformation/Deformation Bounding Box), and move it in the opposite direction - towards the bottom-left.  This in turn reduces your Text or Shape’s size, retaining its scale; and should produce a sharper/crisper edge.

Remember, for optimum results, you need to experiment with different Fonts and Anti-aliasing settings.

Best Wishes.

[3] Wendi E M Scarth. (17th July 2009).

[4]

[5]