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Curled Ribbon Text Effect

This tutorial will show you how to create a curled ribbon text effect, then decorate it with thin stripes of glitter. The curl will be created using simple shapes and gradient overlays, and then, it will be placed all over the text using some techniques and tips and tricks. After that, the glitter stripes will be created and styled, and finally, you’ll learn how to change the color of the final result as you like.

The Final Result

Tutorial Details

  • Software Used : Photoshop
  • Version : CS6 Extended
  • Time : 1:15 – 2:30

Resources

Step 1

Create a new 1100 x 750 px document. Set the Foreground color to #fdfdfd and the Background color to #9e9a97. Pick the Gradient Tool, choose the Foreground to Background gradient fill, and click the Radial Gradient icon.

Then, click and drag from the center of the document to one of the corners to create the background gradient, and duplicate the Background layer.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 1

Double click the copy Background layer to apply a Pattern Overlay effect:

  • Blend Mode : Linear Burn
  • Pattern : White plaster
Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 1

This will add a subtle pattern to the background.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 1

Create the text using the font ETH (Black). The text will be used as a reference only, so choose a bright blue color to keep a high contrast between the ribbon curls and the original text. The Size is 330 pt, the Tracking is 75 pt, and if you’re using more than one line of text, set the Leading value to 250 pt.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 1

Step 2

Create a new 300 x 300 px document. Pick the Rectangle Tool and create a 160 x 102 px rectangle in the center of the document.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 2

Pick the Direct Selection Tool, then click and drag to select the two left anchor points.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 2

Use the Down Arrow key to move the left points downwards. Then, select the right anchor points and use the Up Arrow key to move them upwards. You need to achieve a shape similar to the one shown below.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 2

Pick the Add Anchor Point Tool, then click to add a point near the upper left point.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 2

Click to add 3 more points near the other corners.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 2

Next, use the Direct Selection Tool to select and move the points in order to create the shape below.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 2

Step 3

Change the Shape’s Fill color to #b23636.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Double click the shape layer to apply a Gradient Overlay effect:

  • Blend Mode : Overlay
  • Style : Reflected
  • Angle : -5
  • Use a White to Black gradient fill
Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

This will create an illusion of a 3D curved ribbon.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Duplicate the shape layer and change the copy’s Fill color to #2f1616.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Double click the copy shape layer to change its Gradient Overlay effect’s Settings:

  • Angle : -27
  • Scale : 150%
Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Go to Edit > Transform Path > Flip Vertical.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Drag the copy shape layer below the original, then move it downwards to connect both seamlessly.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Select both shape layers, then go to Edit > Transform > Scale, and scale them down to fit within the document. Hit Enter/Return when done to accept the changes.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 3

Step 4

With both layers still selected, go to Layer > Duplicate Layers, and choose the original document’s name from the Document drop down menu under Destination.

Save the shapes’ document (File > Save) and close it (File > Close) to go back to the original one.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 4

For each shape layer, right click it then choose Rasterize Layer Style. If you’re using < CS6 versions, then you’ll need to group each layer (Layer > Group Layers) then merge the group (Layer > Merge Group).

This will make sure that the gradient maintains its angle when the curl is rotated later.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 4

Select both layers again, then go to Edit > Transform > Scale to scale them down until they have the same width of the text. Hit Enter/Return when done.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 4

Duplicate the two layers, then go to Layer > Merge Layers. These are the original parts that you’ll use to create the text effect. You have each individual part, and the curl.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 4

You can make the individual parts invisible (by clicking the eye icons next to each of them), then duplicate the curl to start creating the text.

(If you need to use the invisible layers, you can make them visible again by clicking the empty box where the eye was).

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 4

Step 5

The trick while placing the curls is to pay attention to the order of the layers, so that the front and back of the curls don’t get mixed up.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

In order to place the curls all over the text, you need to make use of the:

Arrow Keys : To move the curls easily and accurately.
Edit > Transform > Rotate : To rotate the curls where needed.
Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical / Flip Horizontal : To keep the order of the front and back sides of the curls.

You can also use the Eraser Tool to get rid of any parts that overlap outside the actual curls.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

When you’re done creating a letter’s curls, it’s a good idea to group them in a group that has the letter’s name. This will keep things organized.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

Here’s a trick to help you create the “O” letter. Place the curl horizontally at the top of the letter, with the light side to the left. Then duplicate that curl’s layer, enter the Rotate mode, then rotate the copy 36Β° CW, and move it so that it is connected with the horizontal curl, then hit Enter/Return.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

Press the Alt + Ctrl + Shift + T or Option + Cmd + Shift + T keys a couple of times until a full circle is created (leading back to the horizontal curl).

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

Ctrl/Cmd + click the horizontal curl’s thumbnail to create a selection.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

With the last curl’s layer selected, hit Delete or use the Eraser Tool to get rid of the overlapping part.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

Use those techniques, and duplicate any similar parts (instead of recreating them) for any similar letters, to finish adding the curls.

When you’re done, make the original text layer invisible. Now, you can see the ribbon curls without the text behind them. Make any needed changes to enhance the final result.

Click the image below to see the final result of this step.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 5

Step 6

When you’re done, group the original curl layers (if you still have them) in a group called Original, and the text letters’ groups in another group called Final.

Duplicate the Final group, and make it invisible along with the Original group.

Then, with the copy Final group selected, go to Layer > Merge Group.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 6

Double click the merged layer to apply a Drop Shadow effect:

– Drop Shadow

  • Opacity : 35%
  • Distance : 10
Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 6

This will add a simple shadow to the curls.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 6

Step 7

Ctrl/Cmd + click the merged layer’s thumbnail to create a selection, then create a new layer on top of all layers and call it Glitter.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 7

Double click the Glitter layer to apply the following Layer Style:

– Bevel and Emboss

  • Check the Anti-aliased box
  • Highlight Mode : Vivid Light
Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 7

– Contour

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 7

– Texture

  • Pattern : 3px tile
  • Depth : 432%
Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 7

Set the Foreground color to #ffb94a, pick the Brush Tool, choose a 3px brush with 95% Hardness value, then start adding stripes in the middle of each curl. This might take some time, so it’s optional, but it adds a really nice final touch to the effect. πŸ˜‰

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 7

You can always erase and recreate any stripes you don’t like. When you’re done, go to Select > Deselect to get rid of the selection.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 7

Step 8

This is an optional step for changing the text color.

Click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon down the Layers panel and choose Hue/Saturation.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 8

Place the adjustment layer below the Glitter layer.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 8

Change the Hue value to -40. Almost any other value will work, so you can choose any other color you like.

Curled Ribbon Text Effect step 8

And you’re done!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and found the tips and tricks used helpful πŸ™‚


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