Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater · freeOne free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.
Scan My Drivers Free →ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Use Photoshop’s Sponge tool to increase or reduce color saturation in a specific image area: select Saturate or Desaturate, set Flow, and paint over the target. Start around 20–30% Flow, make smooth strokes, and release between passes to assess the cumulative effect. For broader or reversible adjustments, use an adjustment layer instead.
What the Sponge tool does
The Sponge tool makes localized, brush-based changes to color saturation. Use Saturate to intensify color or Desaturate to reduce it—for example, to draw attention to a detail or make a distracting area recede.
In Grayscale mode, the tool changes contrast by moving gray levels toward or away from middle gray; it does not adjust color saturation. Adobe describes the tool as one that “subtly changes the color saturation of an area.”
How to use the Sponge tool in Photoshop desktop
- Open the image and select the Sponge tool. If it is not visible in the toolbar, click and hold the Dodge tool to reveal its related tools. You can also press O to select the tool group.
- In the Options bar, choose a brush tip and adjust its Size and Hardness for the target area.
- Set Mode to Saturate to intensify color or Desaturate to reduce it.
- Set Flow, which controls how quickly the adjustment is applied. Adobe suggests beginning around 20–30% and building gradually.
- Optionally enable Vibrance to help minimize clipping at saturation extremes and protect skin tones from oversaturation.
- Paint smooth strokes over the intended area. Release between strokes and review the result, including at 100% zoom.
Repeated strokes over the same area accumulate. Use fewer, lighter passes for a subtle change, and use a selection to constrain the adjustment when nearby pixels should remain untouched. A duplicate layer can preserve the original for comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
Choose between the Sponge tool and adjustment layers
| Approach | Scope and control | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|
| Sponge tool | Brush-local changes controlled with brush size, Flow, and a selection. | Direct painting changes pixels; use a duplicate layer as a safeguard. |
| Hue/Saturation adjustment layer | Adjust color with an editable layer and refine its reach with a mask. | Editable; preserves the original image data. |
| Vibrance adjustment layer | Enhances muted colors while protecting already-saturated colors. | Editable; applying Vibrance directly through the Image menu permanently modifies pixels. |
For broader or more precisely controlled changes, Adobe recommends a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer with a mask. For a reversible way to enhance muted colors while protecting already-saturated colors, use a Vibrance adjustment layer.
Photoshop on the web
Photoshop on the web has a related Saturation (Sponge) tool under Retouch. It includes brush presets, Size and Hardness, Flow, Saturate and Desaturate modes, and Vibrance options. Its interface path differs from desktop, so follow the controls shown in the web app rather than assuming the desktop Options bar applies.
Rank #2
- Word-first 16K Pressure Levels: The upgraded stylus features 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity and supports up to 60 degrees of tilt, delivering smoother lines and shading for a natural drawing experience. With no battery or charging needed, it operates like a real pen, making it easy for beginners to create effortlessly. This functionality helps novice artists develop their skills and explore their creativity without the intimidation of complex tools
- Designed for Beginners: This drawing pad desinged with 8 customizable shortcuts for both right and left-hand users, express keys create a highly ergonomic and convenient work platform
- Perfectly Adapted for Android: The XPPen Deco 01 V3 art tablet supports connections with Android devices running version 10.0 and above. It is recommended to download the XPPen Tools Android application, which adapts to your smartphone's screen aspect ratio, ensuring accurate mapping. It also supports mapping on Android screens with different aspect ratios in portrait mode
- Large Drawing Space, Bigger Bold Inspiration: This expansive drawing pad has10 x 6.25-inch helps you break through the limit between shortcut keys and drawing area
- Easy Connectivity for Beginners: The Deco 01 V3 offers USB-C to USB-C connectivity, plus adapters for USB C. This ensures easy connection to various devices, allowing beginner artists to set up quickly and focus on their creativity without compatibility concerns. Whether using a laptop, tablet, or desktop, the Deco 01 V3 provides a seamless experience, making it an ideal choice for those just starting their digital art journey
FAQ
How do I find the Sponge tool in Photoshop?
In desktop Photoshop, click and hold the Dodge tool in the toolbar to reveal the related tools, then select Sponge. Press O to access the Dodge, Burn, and Sponge tool group.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What is the difference between Saturate and Desaturate?
Saturate increases color intensity; Desaturate reduces it. Choose the mode that matches the change you want.
Rank #3
- Battery-free Stylus - Only COMPATIBLE to Huion Inspiroy H640P/H950P/H1060P/H610Pro V2/HS610/HS64/H420X/H580X/H610X; Never worry about pen-charging, and eco-friendly of use; Without operating battery, the pen is only 16g in weight, and its front end is made of wearable silicone for soothing feel.
- NOT COMPATIBLE with iPad, other Graphics Tablet or Huion Graphics Monitor GT Series; Huion provides one year warranty.
- Two Customizable Pen Buttons - Set the function to your reference like eraser, fasten your working efficiency; Palm rejection design of dual keys on both sides of the pen helps reduce touch frequency and realize most effective creation.
- Long-lasting Lifespan - First of Huion's products features battery-free stylus, say goodbye to charging cables; Don't need to worry about the potential battery leakage and run-out.
- 8192 Levels of Pen Pressure Sensitivity - Enjoy the accuracy and precision when drawing; Having 233 PPS report rate, 5080LPI resolution, you can paint or draw or sketch smoothly on your Huion Inspiroy series Tablets.
What Flow should I use with the Sponge tool?
Adobe suggests starting around 20–30% Flow and building gradually. The change accumulates with repeated strokes, so release between passes and assess the result before adding more.
How can I make a Sponge-tool edit reversible?
Use a duplicate layer to preserve the original for comparison. For an editable adjustment, use a Hue/Saturation or Vibrance adjustment layer; you can refine its effect with a mask.
Rank #4
- Exclusive for Ugee's S640/S640W/S1060/S1060W/M708 V3 digital drawing tablets: The Ugee stylus is specifically designed to work with these devices, giving you precise and intuitive control over your artwork
- Not compatible with iPads or other graphics displays: This pen is specifically designed for digital drawing boards, so your customers won't have to worry about accidentally contaminating their devices with other pens or devices
- EMR technology: The Ugee stylus uses an EMR，which means it doesn't require a battery or charging socket. Simply place the stylus on the graphics drawing tablet and it's ready to go
- Two quick-access buttons: The Ugee stylus features two built-in buttons, allowing you to quickly switch between your pen stroke and eraser without ever having to take your hand off the tablet
- 8192 pressure sensitivity and ±60°tilt: The Ugee stylus features high-resolution pressure sensitivity and precise side peaks, allowing you to create detailed and expressive artwork
What does the Sponge tool do in Grayscale mode?
It changes contrast by moving gray levels toward or away from middle gray, rather than changing color saturation.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ultra thin tablet: Active Area 4 x 3 inches. Fully utilizing our 8192 levels of pen pressure sensitivity―Providing you with groundbreaking control and fluidity to expand your creative output. Please note: The 4 x 3 inches is very small, please confirm that it will meet your needs before you purchase it
- OSU game: Designed for OSU! gameplay, drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures etc. No need to install drivers for OSU! It's also designed for both right and left hand users
- Accurate Pen Performance: StarG430S computer graphics tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Compact and Portable: The G430S art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it’s as slim as all primary level graphic tablets,Ultra-thin and portable, allowing you hold it in one hand and carry it on the go. This graphic drawing tablet supports Mac. However, since the product interface is micro USB to USB-A, if your computer is a Mac and does not have a USB-A port, you will need to purchase an OTG transfer adapter to ensure compatibility with your Mac. So please confirm your computer port before you purchase it
- PLEASE NOTE: The XPPen StarG 430 is compatible with the Windows system 11/10/8/7(32/64 bit), and the Mac OS X version 10.10 or later, but it is incompatible with iOS and iPad OS. If your computer is a Mac, you need to grant permission to the Mac preferences first. Please go to our official website, and according to the guide: XPPen>Support>FAQ, find out the Star G430 and click, then click the question according to your Mac system. There are detailed guidelines for installing the driver so your tablet will work correctly. It's possible incompatible with the customer's own EMR system or other signature system. Please feel free to contact us to confirm the compatibility before your purchase
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
