Glossy Metal Text Tutorial

Posted on September 26th, 2007.

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Learn how to create a super glossy text effect.


Create a new canvas 400 pixels wide and 133 pixels high with background colour #212121
Change the foreground colour to #DCDCDC and choose the font for your text. I’ve chosen “SF GRUNGE SANS BOLD” but most fonts will work (the bolder the better - try to avoid light fonts). Set the font size to 72pt and the anti-aliasing to Strong. Type HV-DESIGNS onto the canvas or what ever you feel is fit.

Add an Outer Glow layer style like this:

Your canvas should look like this:

Add an Inner Glow layer style like this:

Your canvas should look like this:

Add a Gradient Overlay layer like this:

Your canvas will look like this:

Add a Stroke layer like this:

Your canvas should look like this:

Right-Click the HV-DESIGNS layer and choose Duplicate Layer… Name the layer to Outline and click OK. In the layer panel drag the Outline layer so it is underneath the HV-DESIGNS layer but above the Background layer. Right-click the Outline layer and choose Clear Layer Styles. Set the Fill of this layer to 0%.

Add an Outer Glow layer style to the outline layer like this:

Your canvas should look like this:

Add a Stroke layer style to the outline layer like this:

Your canvas should look like this:

Create a new layer above the HV-DESIGNS layer and name it Highlight. With the Highlight layer selected hold down Ctrl and left-click the HV-DESIGNS layer to select the layer’s transparency. The canvas will look like this:

Set the foreground colour to #FFFFFF and select the Fill tool. Fill the selected area of the Outline layer and set the layer opacity to 50% so it looks like this:

Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool and select the bottom half of the Highlight layer like this:

Press Delete. It is now finished and should look like this:

Now experiment abit to achieve better results LIKE THIS:

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  • 1 nkhat ~ Oct 26, 2007 at 7:52 pm

    thank you too :)

  • 2 troopis ~ Apr 12, 2008 at 10:12 am

    nice tut thank man ;)

  • 3 Ralph ~ Aug 29, 2008 at 9:10 am

    Excellent!!!

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