li>Background: Wall Texture by Jay Leonhart
Texture: Old Film 10 by Lost and Taken
Before commencing, ensure that you closely observe the settings demonstrated in my screen captures, particularly those related to Layer Style Blending Options. These settings must be duplicated to replicate the desired effects.
In Photoshop, initiate a new document by navigating to File > New (Ctrl/Cmd+N). Configure the Width to 600 pixels, Height to 300 pixels, and Resolution to 72 pixels/inch.
Utilize the Horizontal Type Tool (T) to input the text “Design Instruct”. I’m employing Franklin Gothic Heavy, but any bold font of your preference is acceptable.
Before proceeding, it’s essential to establish a new action to record the sequence of steps. Access the Actions panel via Window > Actions (Alt/Option+F9), and create a new set by clicking the folder icon at the bottom. Name this set “Metal Text”. Then, create a new action by selecting the Post-it note icon.
Once the new action is created, it should automatically begin recording, indicated by a red circle icon at the bottom of the Actions panel.
Proceed to Select > Load Selection, and then create a new layer (Shift+Ctrl/Cmd+N). Fill this layer with white (#FFFFFF) and hide the original text layer. This approach is chosen over rasterizing the text to ensure the action is adaptable to text, logos, and single-color images. Duplicate the text layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer) and position it beneath the top text layer.
Since we will be working with two light sources, the text layer will serve as the first source. Navigate to Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow. Remember to uncheck Use Global Light to ensure varied shadows and embossing angles.
Both light source layers should be positioned above the original text layer. Select the top text layer and go to Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow.
Now, add a Bevel and Emboss Layer Style to the text.
Introduce a Satin Layer Style to add texture and realism to the text’s surface.
The final Layer Style to add to the text is a Gradient Overlay, using a gray/white gradient to create light stripes across the text.
Apply a metal texture to the text by ensuring the top text layer is selected, then go to Select > Load Selection. Create a new layer (Shift+Ctrl/N) and fill the selection with white. Apply Filter > Noise > Add Noise to introduce texture.
Deselect the text by going to Select > Deselect (Ctrl/Cmd+D) and then Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Set the Angle to 42 degrees and the Distance to 38 pixels. Delete the selected area to remove noise outside the text. Change the blend mode to Multiply.
Press Stop in the Actions panel to complete the Photoshop action.
For the background, import the Wall Texture by Jay Leonhart as the background image and place it beneath all layers.
Overlay the Old Film 10 texture by Lost and Taken, adjusting its size to approximately 30% using Edit > Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd+T). Change the Blend Mode to Overlay.
Enhance the image with color consistency and warmth by adding a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer, selecting the Yellow to Purple Gradient and checking the reverse box. Set the Blend Mode to Overlay and the Opacity to 30%.
To darken the edges, use the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) with a Feather of 50 pixels. Create a new layer (Shift+Ctrl/N), inverse the selection (Shift+Ctrl/I), and fill it with black. Change the Blend Mode to Color Burn.
Give the text extra shine using a Brush Tool (B) with a Size of 20 pixels and Hardness of 0%. Create a new layer beneath the Old Film texture layer and use white as the brush color. Apply dots to the edges of the text. Change the Blend Mode to Soft Light.
Finalize the image by flattening it (Layer > Flatten Image) and duplicating the layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer). Apply Filter > Other > High Pass with a Radius of 10 pixels. Change the Blend Mode to Color Burn and the Opacity to 30%. Flatten these two images.
Enter Quick Mask Mode (Q) and use the Gradient Tool (G) with a Radial Gradient to create a circle in the center of the document. Exit Quick Mask Mode (Q).
With the area still selected, go to Filter > Blur > Lens Blur and apply the settings provided.
With these simple Photoshop techniques and stock textures, we have crafted a gritty metal text effect. Shadows and highlights were added using various methods, filters were incorporated, and textures were used to bring the scene to life. Importantly, you can achieve the same metal effect by playing the Photoshop action. I hope you’ve found this tutorial enjoyable and learned some useful techniques.
tyler_denis_metal_text_tut_resource (ZIP, 4.15MB)
