Glossy 3D Type In Photoshop

One of the big graphic trends is glossy type. Here’s a tutorial on how to make 3D glossy type in Photoshop.

CREATE THE BACKGROUND

In a new document, create a background using the gradient tool. I’m using a light grey and dark grey color, with the gradient tool set to Radial Gradient. I start at the upper left corner and aim towards the lower right corner to give a subtle light effect. You may need to make a few passes to get the look you want.

SET YOUR TYPE

The best typeface for this effect is a sans serif font. I’m using Futura Condensed Extrabold and a dark red color.

SET YOUR LAYER STYLES

Now that you have your type set in the font and color you want, set up the layer styles for Inner Shadow, Inner Glow & Bevel and Emboss as seen below. Remember, if you choose a different color than the red I’m using, you will need to adjust the Inner Shadow and Inner Glow color so that it is in a shade and tint of the color you are using.

DUPLICATE TYPE LAYER

To create the “back” of the type and give you a guide for creating the 3D effect, duplicate the type layer you’ve made (select the type layer and press Command+J). You will be working on the bottom type layer, so make sure you have it selected. Open up the Layer Style for this layer and select only the Gradient Overlay, using the the settings below.

ADJUST GRADIENT OVERLAY

Make the adjustments to the Gradient Overlay you need to get the desired result, which is light at the top moving down to dark at the bottom.

OFFSET THE LAYER

With the adjustments made to the back type layer, offset it to give it the desired 3D effect.

FILL IN THE GAPS

Next, you’ll use the Rectangle Tool to connect the front and back type layers. Start by making a shape that is flush with the edge of the front type layer and connect it to the edge of the back type layer.

Extend the shape all of the way to the top and shift the sides to match up with the both layers of type.

ADD GRADIENT OVERLAY

Open up the Layer Style for this shape and set the Gradient Overlay to the settings below.

The idea is to go from light, at the top, to dark, at the bottom.

ADD DIMENSION TO ALL

Continue this same technique to all exposed sides of the type, making sure to fill in all gaps. An easy way to do this is to duplicate shapes that are similar and can be applied to other letters of the type.

ADD THE GLOSS

When you have finished the above actions, you can now add the gloss to the type. Create a new layer in the Paths palette and using the Pen Tool, create a shape over the top type layer. The shape I’m using is organic, but you can easily use a more symmetrical shape such as a half circle or straight line.

Make a selection of the shape by holding down the Command key and clicking on the path layer in the Paths palette. When you have made the selection, create a new layer, above the front type layer, and fill the selection with 100% white.

Now, with the new shape layer still selected, hold down the Command key and click on the thumbnail of the front type layer. Make sure you click on the thumbnail and not just the layer. This will create a selection in the shape of the front type layer.

TRIM THE ACCESS

Inverse this selection by either holding down the Shift and Command key at the same time and press “i“, or go to Select–Inverse. After that, press the delete key to remove any extra parts of the white shape you don’t need.

FINISH THE GLOSS

With this layer selected, set the Blending Mode to Multiply. Go to the Layer Style of this layer and apply the Gradient Overlay using the settings below.

THE FINISHED IMAGE

The Gradient Overlay and layer opacity can be adjusted to give you the result you desire.

See link below for PSD file for this tutorial.