Glossy Futuristic Text Effect

A simple way for creating a super glossy reflective text effect, and adding a nice texture for a more futuristic appearance.

The Final Result

Tutorial Details

• Software Used : Photoshop
• Version : CS5 Extended
• Time : 0:30 – 0:45

Resources

• Background Image.
• Alba font.

Step 1

Open the Background Image, and create the text using the color #77a5c2. The font used is Alba, and the Size is 500 px.

Duplicate the text layer, and change the copy’s Fill value to 0.

Double click the original text layer and apply the following Layer Style:

– Drop Shadow

• Color : #51626a
• Uncheck the Use Global Light box
• Angle : 30
• Distance : 17
• Size : 8

– Bevel and Emboss

• Depth : 500
• Size : 43
• Gloss Contour : Steps
• Check the Anti-aliased box

– Contour

• Contour : Half Round<
• Check the Anti-aliased box.

The result should look like this.

Step 2

Double click the copy text layer to add another Layer Style:

– Bevel and Emboss

• Depth : 215
• Size : 18
• Gloss Contour : Cove Deep
• Check the Anti-aliased box

– Contour

• Contour : Steep Slope Rolling
• Check the Anti-aliased box.

The text should look more glossy now, and even more reflective.

Step 3

Create a new layer between both text layers and call it texture. Ctrl/Cmd + click one of the text layers’ thumbnail to create a selection.

Set the Foreground color to #164b7c and the Background color to #b2ebfc. Go to Filter > Render > Clouds. Then press Ctrl/Cmd + D to get rid of the selection.

Go to Filter > Brush Strokes > Crosshatch, and change the Stroke Length to 50, the Sharpness to 20, and the Strength to 1.

You should get a similar texture to this.

Finally, change the texture layer’s Blend Mode to Overlay.

This is the final result.