How to Install GIMP on Linux and Edit an Image

You can edit photos or add text to an image on Linux with GIMP, a free and open-source image editor. GIMP saves your work in its own project file so you can keep editing later, and exports a regular image such as a PNG to share.

I’ll walk you through installing GIMP from Flathub and adding a text label to a photo.

What Is GIMP?

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source editor for creating and changing raster images, with XCF files preserving editable projects inside GIMP.

I chose the official Flatpak route because the GIMP Downloads page publishes the install and launcher commands together, and the Flathub build supports x86_64 and AArch64.

Prerequisites

The official Flathub build supports x86_64 and AArch64. Flatpak’s –user flag keeps this install within the account running the command.

• A Linux desktop with an x86_64 or AArch64 processor.
• Flatpak installed on the system. If you need to set it up first, follow the Flatpak setup steps for Linux.

Install GIMP from Flathub

The GIMP project links to a Flatpak reference file for Linux, which installs the app from Flathub for the account running the command.

Step 1: Install GIMP for your user

The command accepts Flatpak’s confirmation automatically through the –assumeyes option. Remove that option if you want to inspect the runtime and permission list before answering the prompt.

flatpak install --user --assumeyes https://flathub.org/repo/appstream/org.gimp.GIMP.flatpakref

The official downloads page lists GIMP 3.2.6 as the current stable release and offers Flatpak beside AppImage and Snap packages. The reference-file command follows the stable Flatpak branch rather than pinning the install to a numbered release.

Open an Image and Add a Text Layer

GIMP’s Text tool creates a separate layer for text, so you can revise a label without painting it into the photo. The canvas and Layers dock sit beside each other in the single-window workspace.

Step 2: Open a local image

Choose File > Open, select an image, and click Open. GIMP loads the image onto the canvas as a project that you can save in its native format.

Step 3: Add text as a separate layer

Select the Text tool and click or drag on the canvas where you want the label. GIMP creates a separate text layer, so you can revise its wording without changing the photo.

Save the Editable Project and Export a Copy

GIMP’s Save command creates an XCF project, while Export As writes a different image format. The XCF keeps the layers and text editable, so a PNG cannot replace it when you need to make changes.

Step 4: Save an editable XCF

Choose File > Save to store the project as an XCF file. GIMP keeps its layers and editable text available for later edits.

Step 5: Export a shareable image

Choose File > Export As and select PNG or JPEG to make an image file for sharing outside GIMP.

The GIMP 3.2 manual explains the Save and Export distinction and lists the formats handled by each command.

Verify the Installed Version

This version check prints the GIMP release without opening the desktop editor. A successful run prints “GNU Image Manipulation Program version 3.2.6”.

flatpak run org.gimp.GIMP//stable --version

The version option exits after printing. Open GIMP from your desktop’s application menu to edit an image.

If the menu entry is missing, run the official launcher command from a graphical terminal.

flatpak run org.gimp.GIMP//stable

The launcher is documented on GIMP’s official downloads page. It starts the graphical editor from a Linux desktop session.

Fix Package and File-Access Problems

A missing Flatpak command and a file outside the app’s allowed folders need different fixes. Use the package manager that matches the source you chose.

• Flatpak is missing. Set it up for your distribution using the Linux Flatpak setup guide before installing GIMP.
• GIMP cannot open a file. Open it through GIMP’s file chooser and grant access to that selected file when the desktop asks. Flatpak portals provide access to files opened through a native chooser, so avoid giving the app access to the entire host just to open one image.
• You need recurring folder access. Inspect GIMP’s per-app permission scope with the Flatseal permissions walkthrough.
• You prefer another package source. GIMP also lists Snap and AppImage builds. Read how Snap packages work or how to install an AppImage before choosing one.
• Your distribution’s package is already installed. Check its version before adding another source, then remove it through the same manager if you choose another build. Ubuntu readers can search the package index with apt or follow the Ubuntu package-removal guide.

Keep the XCF for the Next Edit

Keep the XCF beside the exported image, because it preserves the layers and text you may want to change later. Use the PNG or JPEG as the copy you share outside GIMP.

Before a later editing session, update the GIMP package in the same per-user Flatpak scope:

flatpak update --user org.gimp.GIMP

GIMP Installation FAQ

Use the official GIMP link to confirm the package source. Keep the XCF when you need to preserve editable layers.