How to create a simple and elegant text effect

Preview:

Support Files:

• Creampuff font

Step 1

If you observe the final result, you can notice that it’s composed by 2 elements: the text and the outline shape. The easiest way to create a text and its outline is with Illustrator. So create a 2000×1500 pixels document in Illustrator and write something using the Creampuff font. The font size is 280 pt.

Step 2

We have to turn the text into a path. Then go to Type>Create Outlines. With the text still selected go to Object>Path>Offset Path and enter a value of 25 px.

Step 3

Use the direct selection tool (A) to select only the outline letters. Merge them using the pathfinder (Window>Pathfinder).

Tip: if you want to select more then one element, hold down shift while clicking on each element

Step 4

Hide the offset path (uncheck its layer visibility) and select the letters with the direct selection tool (A). Group them (ctrl+G) and change their color to distinguish them from the outline path. It’s not important the color you choose. Now you can replace outline shape visibility.

Step 5

Open Photoshop and create a 2000×1500 pixels document. Fill the background with grey (#3f3f3f)

Step 6

Copy and paste the text and the outline path in 2 different layers. Make sure to paste them as smart objects. In this way they can be resized without lose image quality.

Step 7

Lets start working with the outline shape, then hide the text for the moment. Right-click on the outline layer and select Blending Options.  Let’s start reducing the fill opacity to 0%.

Step 8

Add a dark grey (#242424) color overlay.

Step 9

How to create the pressed effect? Simply adding inner shadow.

Step 10

At this point you can make the text visible. We will still work with blending options. Start reducing fill opacity to 0%. Then fill the text with the same background color (#3f3f3f).

Step 11

Add a bevel and emboss effect:

Step 12

Our text is complete. The last step consists in adding a noise effect. Create a new layer and fill it with grey (#3f3f3f). Now set the same grey as foreground color and white as background color. Go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise.

Step 13

Set the layer blending mode to screen with opacity 10%. We’ve finished!