Photoshop’s text and layer tools can be used to create some really awesome effects. We’ve put together a list of 60 of the best tutorials we could find to help you stay up to date on the latest trends and techniques. You’ll find some really cool grunge and glass styles (plus a few surprises!) and learn how some of the best designers create their unique effects.
Courtesy: LemonDesign
Instead of listing 100 plus tutorials that you’ll bookmark never to come back, we’ve decided to take you through the basics of typography, hopefully inspiring and then teaching you. Typography is an art just like any other. You have to feel the form, admire the curves and connect with the flow.
You may want to take a look at the following related posts:
- Digital Photography Photoshop Tutorials
- Beauty Retouching Photoshop Tutorials
- Modeling Photoshop Tutorials
- Grunge Photoshop Tutorials
- Vintage and Retro Photoshop Tutorials
- Rainbows, Glows and Light Effects With Photoshop
Introduction to Typography
Typography is the art of arranging type, designing type, and modifying type glyphs. The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces, point size, line length, line spacing (leading), adjustment of space between groups of letters (tracking) and adjustment of space between pairs of letters (kerning).
Here are some resources to give you further insight:
- Brief introduction to typography
- Five simple steps to better typography
- More about vertical metrics for true typography lovers
- 10 common typography mistakes
The Wisest Mind Has Something Yet to Learn
And we, too, never stop being inspired, learning and creating:
- 21 stunning typography artworks, from DeviantArt
- 30 inspiring type treatments
- Breathtaking typographic posters
- Typography is sexy
- 70 minimalist typography examples
How to Choose the Right Type
Guess if you can, choose if you dare. Typeface can make or break your design. Let the type speak for itself: its dimensions, curves, strength and space should define your purpose.
- On choosing type, from iLoveTypography
- 15 tips to choose a good text type
- From kerning to hierarchy: this is one resource you will surely bookmark
Resources to Live by
Finding quality fonts can be overwhelming because there are literally millions out there and finding the right one is a painful process. Here are a few resources I use to find a font for a project I am working on.
- 50 incredible fonts for professional Web and print design
- Fonts: the skinny, thin and beautiful
- 40+ excellent freefonts for Professional design
- How to create a font
Here Come the Tutorials
Now that you understand the importance of typography, let’s move on to the awesome Photoshop tutorials we were talking about. The above resources on type were pretty general, whereas these tutorials deal mainly with text effects that you could use in posters, magazines or whatever you wish. The basics of typography apply to most of the work you will do with the tutorials below.
Go Crazy with 3D
3D texture
Create amazing 3D-textured text with Illustrator and Photoshop in this in-depth tutorial.
Create amazing 3D-textured text with Illustrator and Photoshop in this in-depth tutorial.
Create a spectacular flaming meteor effect on text
Take typography one step further by having text falling from the sky in a burning inferno. Yes, this is the text-on-fire tutorial to end all text-on-fire tutorials. It uses a little Illustrator for the text and a lot of Photoshop to burn up the screen!
Take typography one step further by having text falling from the sky in a burning inferno. Yes, this is the text-on-fire tutorial to end all text-on-fire tutorials. It uses a little Illustrator for the text and a lot of Photoshop to burn up the screen!
Funky 3D-style letters
A straightforward guide to creating funky 3D-style letters.
A straightforward guide to creating funky 3D-style letters.
How to create high-quality metal 3D text in Photoshop
This tutorial shows you how to create 3D text and give it a high-quality metal look using only Photoshop.
This tutorial shows you how to create 3D text and give it a high-quality metal look using only Photoshop.
Light and shade
In this tutorial we are going to take some very basic principles of light and shade to make a rather impressive-looking text effect.
In this tutorial we are going to take some very basic principles of light and shade to make a rather impressive-looking text effect.
Create Destructive Black and White Lettering with a Dramatic Splash Effect
Learn how to make some expressive lettering, which includes thoughts connected with a central word. You’ll turn standard text into a stunning, destructive illustration, and give it a final unique look.
Learn how to make some expressive lettering, which includes thoughts connected with a central word. You’ll turn standard text into a stunning, destructive illustration, and give it a final unique look.
Chunky 3D letters
Create big chunky 3D letters with this colorful tutorial!
Create big chunky 3D letters with this colorful tutorial!
Stunning 3D effects in 30 minutes
Together, with a pinch of this and a dash of that, we’ll figure out how to create this cool effect in just 30 minutes.
Together, with a pinch of this and a dash of that, we’ll figure out how to create this cool effect in just 30 minutes.
How to Quickly Create a Stylish Retro Text Effect
Learn how to create a quite cool retro text effect. You will learn how to use the Perspective tool to create depth and how designers can use default gradients in unusual ways.
Learn how to create a quite cool retro text effect. You will learn how to use the Perspective tool to create depth and how designers can use default gradients in unusual ways.
3D text with a touch of grunge
A pretty detailed tutorial that shows you how to create grungy 3D text.
A pretty detailed tutorial that shows you how to create grungy 3D text.
Design soft stylized 3D type
Learn the basics of creating polished 3D type using Illustrator and Photoshop.
Learn the basics of creating polished 3D type using Illustrator and Photoshop.
Create a dream-like design with 3D typograph
This detailed tutorial shows you how to create a 3D typography-based design. All the elements revolve around the theme of dreaming.
This detailed tutorial shows you how to create a 3D typography-based design. All the elements revolve around the theme of dreaming.
Elements of Nature
Quick and dirty Photoshop text effects from scratch (six tutorials in one)
Learn how to make six different effects using just layer styles. So really, this is like six tutorials in one!
Learn how to make six different effects using just layer styles. So really, this is like six tutorials in one!
Create a spectacular grass text effect in Photoshop
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a rather cool-looking grass text effect.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a rather cool-looking grass text effect.
Plastic text
Turn text into plastic using Photoshop’s layer styles.
Turn text into plastic using Photoshop’s layer styles.
Icy cold
Get ready for winter: create icy cold text!
Get ready for winter: create icy cold text!
Paint-splodged text
This is a quick text effect tutorial. It shows you how to simply create paint-splodged text.
This is a quick text effect tutorial. It shows you how to simply create paint-splodged text.
Text in stitches
In this Photoshop tutorial, you will learn how to convert text to a path and stitch that path using a custom brush set.
In this Photoshop tutorial, you will learn how to convert text to a path and stitch that path using a custom brush set.
Wet watercolor
A watercolor on wet paper effect. Experiment to create different painting effects.
A watercolor on wet paper effect. Experiment to create different painting effects.
How to create a gold text effect in Photoshop
Learn how to create a gold text effect. I personally love this effect, so subtle yet powerful.
Learn how to create a gold text effect. I personally love this effect, so subtle yet powerful.
Colored chrome
Make chrome text and then color it!
Make chrome text and then color it!
Reflective liquid type
Create liquid text, a very handy trick.
Create liquid text, a very handy trick.
Wood inlay
A decorative wood-inlay text effect.
A decorative wood-inlay text effect.
Paper-craft text effect
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create paper-craft text effects.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create paper-craft text effects.
Dramatic text-on-fire effect in Photoshop
Learn how to use a photograph of fire to strike text to the match. This is a beautiful tutorial, a must-see.
Learn how to use a photograph of fire to strike text to the match. This is a beautiful tutorial, a must-see.
Grunge & Co.
How to Create a Copper Photoshop Text Effect
This is a strong and eye-catching text effect, though relatively simple to create. You’ll be using bevel and emboss styles, pattern overlays, and combining different techniques to mock-up the text into a related background.
This is a strong and eye-catching text effect, though relatively simple to create. You’ll be using bevel and emboss styles, pattern overlays, and combining different techniques to mock-up the text into a related background.
Vanity License Plate
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to create a custom vanity license plate using a few basic Photoshop tools a piece of reference material and some creative layer stylings.
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to create a custom vanity license plate using a few basic Photoshop tools a piece of reference material and some creative layer stylings.
Star Wars text effect
A step-by-step guide to creating a Star Wars text effect.
A step-by-step guide to creating a Star Wars text effect.
Create a trendy typographic poster design
Using simple shapes, you can produce some great-looking contemporary designs that create a big impact on posters; another good example being the recent Trendy Geometric Lines tutorial.
Using simple shapes, you can produce some great-looking contemporary designs that create a big impact on posters; another good example being the recent Trendy Geometric Lines tutorial.
Graffiti with Photoshop
When you don’t have the guts to pull this off in the real world, Photoshop to the rescue. Learn how to make graffiti with Photoshop.
When you don’t have the guts to pull this off in the real world, Photoshop to the rescue. Learn how to make graffiti with Photoshop.
Super-cool frilly bits typography
In this tutorial, you will learn how to mix some vectors with letters to create a really nice design. This one is a personal favorite.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to mix some vectors with letters to create a really nice design. This one is a personal favorite.
Typography wallpaper in Photoshop
Why not design your own typographic wallpaper from now on?
Why not design your own typographic wallpaper from now on?
Dirty grunge text
Create dirty grunge text in Photoshop.
Create dirty grunge text in Photoshop.
Rusty text
Make text rusty by following this easy tutorial.
Make text rusty by following this easy tutorial.
Warm neon glow
Six simple steps to create a warm neon glow.
Six simple steps to create a warm neon glow.
Floral
Learn how to make stylish floral typography.
Learn how to make stylish floral typography.
Splattered blood
Blood-splattered mafia-style text!
Blood-splattered mafia-style text!
Worn and torn
Create worn and torn text with this easy-to-follow guide.
Create worn and torn text with this easy-to-follow guide.
Grunge rubber stamp.
Create a grunge rubber stamp effect in seven simple steps.
Create a grunge rubber stamp effect in seven simple steps.
Distorted letters
Learn to distort letters using Photoshop brushes with this amazingly easy tutorial.
Learn to distort letters using Photoshop brushes with this amazingly easy tutorial.
Decorative text
Learn how to decorate text with colorful floral patterns in this tutorial.
Learn how to decorate text with colorful floral patterns in this tutorial.
Rough metal
Create a rough-metal text effect with this tutorial.
Create a rough-metal text effect with this tutorial.
Light and Glass
A slick supernatural text effect
Create a smoky night effect with text, giving it an eerie supernatural feel. It’s a good exercise in using the wave distortion filter.
Create a smoky night effect with text, giving it an eerie supernatural feel. It’s a good exercise in using the wave distortion filter.
Smoke type in Photoshop in 10 steps
Learn how to create a smoke typography effect by playing with some brushes and adjustment layers. It’s a very easy tutorial, and you will be able to finish the whole process in 5 to 10 minutes.
Learn how to create a smoke typography effect by playing with some brushes and adjustment layers. It’s a very easy tutorial, and you will be able to finish the whole process in 5 to 10 minutes.
Moonshine effect
In just a few simple steps, you can add a soft, calm, easy-going moon-like text effect.
In just a few simple steps, you can add a soft, calm, easy-going moon-like text effect.
Transparent glass lettering in Photoshop
In this tutorial, you’ll use some super layer effects and a bit of magic to make a lettering style that looks transparent and stunning.
In this tutorial, you’ll use some super layer effects and a bit of magic to make a lettering style that looks transparent and stunning.
Scan-line text
Create a style dubbed “Scan-Line Text,” which is basically text that glows like bright scan lines, with a smart reflection as well. Learn how to create this amazing yet simple effect with this easy-to-follow tutorial.
Create a style dubbed “Scan-Line Text,” which is basically text that glows like bright scan lines, with a smart reflection as well. Learn how to create this amazing yet simple effect with this easy-to-follow tutorial.
Create a layered glowing text effect
In this tutorial, we will create this effect using very basic Photoshop tools and layering effects.
In this tutorial, we will create this effect using very basic Photoshop tools and layering effects.
Vibrant pop text effect
In just a few moments, you can add a vibrant splash to your text that will really give your design a pop-culture flavor!
In just a few moments, you can add a vibrant splash to your text that will really give your design a pop-culture flavor!
Slow-shutter effect
Learn how to create this beautiful slow-shutter text effect.
Learn how to create this beautiful slow-shutter text effect.
Colorful glow
A colorful, glowing text effect, great for integrating in designs with dark backgrounds.
A colorful, glowing text effect, great for integrating in designs with dark backgrounds.
Retro and Vintage
Colorful retro text
A colorful retro text effect using both Illustrator and Photoshop.
A colorful retro text effect using both Illustrator and Photoshop.
Colorful watercolor
Learn to make a colorful and distinctive watercolor text effect with this tutorial.
Learn to make a colorful and distinctive watercolor text effect with this tutorial.
Experiments
Furry text
Create a tactile, furry text effect that looks like the real thing!
Create a tactile, furry text effect that looks like the real thing!
Wrapped parcel
A cartoon-like wrapped-parcel text style.
A cartoon-like wrapped-parcel text style.
Barbed wire
Wrap your text in barbed wire!
Wrap your text in barbed wire!
Light burst
An amazing light-burst effect!
An amazing light-burst effect!
Sand writing
Learn how to write a message in the sand with Photoshop.
Learn how to write a message in the sand with Photoshop.
Flower text
Create a pretty floral text effect. It looks difficult but is surprisingly easy!
Create a pretty floral text effect. It looks difficult but is surprisingly easy!
