Besides the regular raster layers, there a several special purpose layer types available in GIMP.

Text layers are used to add text to your image. A text layer can use one or more fonts and colors for the text, as well as other text properties. To add a new text layer you use the Text Tool.

Vector layers, are layers based on paths, with their own fill and stroke settings, which can be edited at any time. To add a new vector layer, you first create a path with the Path Tool and then use the Create new vector Layer button in the Path Tool Options to create a vector layer from that path.

Link layers connect a layer in your image to an external image available elsewhere on your computer or a connected device. This can be advantageous if you use the same image in multiple projects, e.g. a logo.

When an external image is updated, GIMP automatically detects the change and updates the version you are using as a link layer too. Any image that GIMP can load can be used as a link layer.

One important consideration when using link layers is, that the external image needs to stay available in the same location, or GIMP won't be able to update your image that uses it as a link layer.

By default, the location of the external image is stored relative to the location of the image where you include it as a link layer. Which means that you can move your image somewhere else, as long as you also move the external image to the same relative location.

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	Link layers are similar to “Smart Objects” available in some other image editors.