Learn how to make epic text effect, by simple steps. You will learn, how to make beautiful background to your typography by brushes and stock images. This tutorial will teach you, how to play with layer styles in awesome way.

What you’ll be creating

You will start from creating background. You will know how to load brush and how to use Cloud filter in Photoshop. Then, you will see how to make epic typography, which can be used in games, covers or flyers in simple steps. At the end, you will learn how to make glow on things. You’ll need Photoshop CS5.5 or newer to follow this tutorial.

Tutorial Resources

• Font used: Germanica family – Dafont
• Snow Texture V – emilyemilybeth
• Forest Stock 40 – sed-rah-stock
• Debris Brush Set – zigabooooo

Step 1

Let’s start by creating new file – File > New.

Step 2

Add new Adjustment layer with Solid Color. It will be our background. I used #141414, but you can pick any other color for your work :).

Step 3

Add another adjustment layer with Gradient fill. Here you will create a vignette effect.

Step 4

You should make your picture more deeper. Add new layer. In your color picker pick black and white. Then, go to Filter > Render > Clouds.

Step 5

Pick gradient tool. Draw black-transparent gradient on created layer, as shown.

Step 6

Now, add mask to created layer. Use gradient tool, for masking. I’ve choosen black-white radial gradient with small radius.

Step 7

Place “Forest stock” to your file.Go to top menu. Choose filter > Blur > Gaussian blur.In your color picker set black and gray colors. Click on canvas next to your layer (mask). Then, add radial gradient by gradient tool.

Step 8

Add adjustment layer with Color/Balance. You’ll make colors cooler xD.

Step 9

Again you should use technique which makes picture deeper. Add new layer. In your color picker set black and white colors. Go to Filter > Render > Clouds.Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur. Rendered clouds are really sharp.Change blending mode to Overlay, decrease opacity to 55%.

Step 10

Now you’ll draw glow. Pick blue color. Use Soft brush with decreased opacity (around 50%). Draw some strokes on trees and draw some random dots on grass.Add blur for this layer. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.At the end of this step, change opacity to 25%.

Step 11

Now you’ll make ground fot your text. Add new layer. Pick big (765px) white, soft brush and draw dot in the center of the picture.

Step 12

Press ctrl+T – now you can transform your layer. If you will be holding ctrl and you will click point to transform, you can change the perspective – try it! :).Decrease opacity of this layer to 35%.

Step 13

It’s time to make nice dust. Load dust brushes to your Photoshop.

Step 14

Add new layer and draw some sparkles on your image.Change opacity and blending mode: Color dodge, 66%.

Step 15

You should add more dust. Place “Snow texture V” to your file. Change blending mode to Soft light and set opacity around 40%.

Step 16

For making more dynamic, go to Filter > Blur > Motion blur.

Step 17

Add your text. Choose gothic-like font. I’ve choosen Germanica font. Use gray text color. I’ve set 222px font size.

Step 18

Click on text layer with RMB. From menu choose “Blending mode”.Add drop shadow.Then, set “Bevel and Emboss”.Add “Contour”.Next is “Satin”Then apply “Gradient overlay”.At the end, add “Stroke”.

Step 19

Do you know, that you can mask text? Add mask to your text. I don’t like glyph under “T”. Just add mask and erase unnecessary fragment with hard round brush.

Step 20

Back below layer with debris brush used. Add new layer. You’ll make shadow under text.Choose 765px big, soft, black brush. Draw dot on the center of image.Then, transform it as shown (ctrl + T). Remember about step 12.At the end, you can decrease opacity of this layer to 50%.

Step 21

Go above all layers. Place “Scratched steel texture”. Then, click on it with RMB and choose create clipping mask.Change blending mode of this layer to Hard light.

Step 22

Again, place “Scratched steel texture”. Then, click on it with RMB and choose create clipping mask.Also, change blending mode to Overlay.

Step 23

It’s time to make glowing text. Add new layer. Pick big, soft round brush and draw dots, where light is biggest.Change opacity to 20%.

Step 24

Duplicate glow layer (Drag and drop layer to “New layer” symbol). Change blending mode to Color dodge. Set opaticy around 25%.

Step 25

So far, so good! Add Color balance adj
ustment layer.

Step 26

At the end, add Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer. And! You are done! :)

Final Results

Download the PSD

Tutorial by msRiotte

Thank you for following this tutorial! You are amazing. Write if you have questions! :). Personally I am graphic designer from Poland. See my portfolio here: msriotte.tk. I’m also on facebook: here!– msRiotte