Learn how to create graffiti text from scratch in Photoshop! This tutorial will show you how to use layer styles and finish the effect with a vector-style brick background.

Preview of Final Results

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Graffiti text effect tutorial

Resources

• Star Brushes - QBrushes

Step 1- Create a New Document

Create a new 1000x500 pixels document. You can do this by going to File > New.

Step 2

With the background layer selected, use the Paint Bucket tool to fill the layer with #D0CFCF.

Step 3 – Text

Now for the text create a new layer, you can go online and find a font that would best fit your design or for my tutorial I created a rough sketch of how I wanted my text to look and scanned it into my computer. Next, grab your pen tool and make one of the letters. I used the word "Graffiti".

Step 4

Make a selection from the work path (right-click>Make selection) fill it with any color for now

Step 5

Rename this layer. In my case I named this layer "G". Duplicate this layer, place this layer underneath the regular layer. Double click this "G Copy" layer so that it brings up the Layer style box and change the color.

Step 6

Then move the "G copy" layer upward 5px by using your arrow keys and also move it 8 or 9 pixels to the right.

Step 7

On the original "G" layer add these layer styles, lets start with the Inner Shadow

Step 8

This is how it should look so far. Go to your "G copy" layer, once you have selected this layer go to Layer>Layer Style>Create Layer. Now select your Burn tool and darken in some areas. Once you have finished that take your Dodge tool and highlight certain parts. Note: The green circle is where I used the Burn tool, the red circle is where I used the Dodge Tool.

Step 9

While the "G copy" layer is still selected add a Drop Shadow.

Step 10

Create a new layer and on the "G copy" layer make a selection of it and add a Stroke. Edit>Stroke, place this stroke layer beneath the "G copy" layer.

Step 11

Create a New Layer and rename it "Squares", grab your selection tool and make some squares fill it with #8cb809

Step 12

Now we will add the highlight, create a new layer and with your pen tool create the place for the highlighted area. Fill it with #FFFFFF