How to Create a Futuristic Metal Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

In this quick tip, we are going to create a simple Layer Style text effect, similar to thetext effects that can be purchased onEnvato Market. So you'll be just using a texture, a pattern, and a couple of layer styles to create a bright, futuristic-themed text effect. Let's get started!

Tutorial Assets

The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial:

• Street Credfont


• by Hexe78


• by mslooten
• Center Gradient fill


• by Supertuts007 (Load the METALS.grd file)

1. Create the Background

Step 1

Create a new 800 x 600px document, fill the Backgroundlayer with the color #252525, and then duplicate it.

Step 2

Double click the Background copy layer to apply a Pattern Overlay effect using the Fine diagonal lines pattern from the 30 Simple Patterns pack.

This will add a subtle texture to the background.

Step 3

Place the Free Texture Stock - Lights 1 (2560x1600px) image on top of both Background layers, resize it as needed, and then change its layer's Blend Mode to Color Dodge.

Step 4

Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels, and change the Shadows value to 50.

Step 5

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, and change the Hue value to -13.

2. Create the Text Layers

Step 1

Create the text using the font Street Cred. The Color is #a2a2a2 and the Size is 200pt.

Step 2

Duplicate the text layer, change the copy's Fill value to 0, and then duplicate the copy.

3. Style the Original Text Layer

Double click the original text layer to apply the following layer style:

Step 1

Add a Bevel and Emboss with these settings:

• Size: 18


• Uncheck the Use Global Light box


• Angle: 59


• Altitude: 58


• Check the Anti-aliased box

Step 2

Add an Inner Shadow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Burn


• Color: #585858


• Opacity: 35%


• Distance: 0


• Size: 7

Step 3

Add an Inner Glow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Vivid Light


• Opacity: 100%


• Color: #a39a7b


• Source: Center


• Size: 29

Step 4

Add a Satinstyle with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Hard Light


• Color: #d0d0d0


• Distance: 5


• Size: 8


• Check the Anti-aliased box


• Check the Invert box

Step 5

Add a Gradient Overlay with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Multiply


• Opacity: 35%


• Scale: 150%


• Use the Violet, Orange gradient fill

Step 6

Add a Pattern Overlay with these settings:

• Pattern: Fine diagonal lines

Step 7

Add a Drop Shadow with these settings:

• Opacity: 50%


• Distance: 10


• Size: 10

This will style the original text layer.

4. Style the First Copy Text Layer

Double click the first copy text layer to apply the following layer style:

Step 1

Add an Inner Shadow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Burn


• Color: #585858


• Opacity: 80%


• Distance: 0


• Size: 13

Step 2

Add a Gradient Overlay with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Soft Light


• Use the Center Gradient gradient fill

Step 3

This will style the first copy text layer.

5. Style the Second Copy Text Layer

Double click the second copy text layer to apply the following layer style:

Step 1

Add a Bevel and Emboss with these settings:

• Style: Stroke Emboss


• Size: 2


• Uncheck the Use Global Light box


• Angle: 119


• Altitude: 37


• Gloss Contour: Ring - Double


• Check the Anti-aliased box


• Highlight Mode: vivid Light

Step 2

Add a Contour with these settings:

• Contour: Rolling Slope - Descending


• Check the Anti-aliased box

Step 3

Add a Stroke with these settings:

• Size: 3


• Position: Center


• Fill Type: Gradient


• Use the Gold 18k - L gradient fill

Congratulations! You're Done!

In this tutorial, we used a simple pattern, and modified a texture to create the background.

Then, we created three text layers, and styled each one of them to create the text effect and the stroke.

Please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions, and outcomes below.