textuts

This tutorial will explain how to use the layer styles to achieve a leather-like text effect, and how to create a nice glossy stroke to add more depth to the final effect.

The Final Result:

Notes:

* the software used in this tutorial is Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended
* the size of the final result image is 1024 * 768
* you might want to check the Basix Page to see some useful topics on dealing with Photoshop basics, such as loading palettes and some shortcuts.

Resources:

* S. Weaver Texture Stock by =redwolf518stock.

Step 1:

- Open the S. Weaver Texture Stock and place it in your document. You might need to rotate the image to fit in the document (Image -> Image Rotation -> 90° CW).

- Create the text using the color #e3cdab, the font used is Spatha Sans, and the size is 370px.

Step 2:

Double click on the text layer to apply the following styles.

- Drop Shadow: Change the color to #212121, the Distance to 0, the Spread to 20, the Size to 25, the Contour to Half Round, and check the Anti-aliased box.

- Inner Shadow: Change the color to #734d17, the Distance to 0 and the Size to 16.

- Bevel and Emboss: Change the Depth to 450 and the Size to 24. Also, change the Gloss Contour to Valley – Low, and check the Anti-aliased box. Finally, change the Shadow Mode color to #907248.

- Contour: Just check the Anti-aliased box. We want the effect to be smooth.

- Texture: Choose the Satin Pattern, and change the Depth to +5. You can change the value as you like to make the texture softer or harsher, or more suitable to the font and text size you’re using. This is the part that gives the text a leather-like feel, as it uses the texture to create the bevel.

- Satin: Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, the color to #57472e, and un-check the Invert box.

You’re text should look like this:

Step 3:

- Right click on the text layer and choose Create Work Path.

- Create a new layer on top of all layers and call it “stroke”.

- Choose a Hard brush, and set the Size to 10, or whatever value you like (a higher value will create a thicker stroke).

- Set the Foreground color to #9e865b, and grab the Direct Selection Tool. Make sure that the “stroke” layer is selected, and right click on the path, then choose Stroke Path.

- Choose Brush from the Tool drop down menu, and make sure that the Simulate Pressure box is un-checked.

- Hit Enter to get rid of the path.

Step 4:

- Press the Ctrl key, and click on the layer’s thumbnail (icon) to create a selection.

- Press the Delete button to get rid of the inner part of the stroke.

Step 5:

Double click on the “stroke” layer to add the following styles:

- Drop Shadow: Change the color to #322618, the Distance to 0, and the Size to 7.

- Bevel and Emboss: Change the Depth to 378, the Soften to 1, the Gloss Contour to Ring Double and check the Anti-aliased box, and change the Shadow Mode color to #734c13.

- Contour: Change the Contour to Log, and check the Anti-aliased box as well.

This will create a nice stroke that adds more depth to the text.

Step 6:

Finally, this is optional, but this adds a nice final touch to the colors of the effect. So, create a new layer on top of all layers and call it “Gradient”. Set the Foreground color #797979, and use the Radial Gradient tool to create a Foreground to Transparent Gradient from the center of the document to one of the corners. Don’t forget to check the Reverse box to get the color on the corners.

- Finally, change the “Gradient” layer’s Blend Mode to Soft Light.

And this is the final effect.