Turning Text into Gold in Photoshop

Introduction

• Presenter: Steve Patterson from Photoshop Essentials
• Objective: Learn to turn type into gold using Photoshop
• Tools: Layer styles, custom gradients, and brushes
• Software Compatibility: Photoshop CC, CS6, and earlier versions
• Resources: Tutorial and complete written version available on the website

Steps to Create the Gold Text Effect

1. Create a New Document

• File Menu: Go to File > New
• Document Settings:
  • Width: 1600 pixels
  • Height: 800 pixels
  • Resolution: 72 pixels/inch
• Create the Document:
  • Photoshop CC: Click Create
  • CS6/Earlier: Click OK
• Background Color:
  • Change to black using Edit > Fill, set Contents to Black

2. Add and Format Text

• Select Type Tool: From the Toolbar
• Font Settings:
  • Font: Times New Roman
  • Style: Bold
  • Size: 72 points
• Set Text Color: Change to white (RGB: 255, 255, 255)
• Add Text: Click inside the document, type GOLD, accept with the checkmark
• Resize Text:
  • Use Edit > Free Transform
  • Hold Shift and drag corners to resize
  • Move text as needed, then accept with the checkmark

3. Copy Text Layer

• Layers Panel: Drag the Text layer to the New Layer icon to make a copy
• Renamed to: GOLD copy

4. Apply Layer Styles

• Gradient Overlay:

  • Open Layer Styles: Click the Layer Styles icon, choose Gradient Overlay
  • Edit Gradient:
    • Open the Gradient Editor
    • Left Color Stop: RGB(246, 238, 173)
    • Right Color Stop: RGB(193, 172, 81)
  • Save Gradient: Name it Gold, click New
  • Change Style: From Linear to Reflected

• Bevel & Emboss:

  • Options: Set Technique to Chisel Hard
  • Shading:
    • Gloss Contour: Ring Double
    • Angle: 120 degrees
    • Anti-aliased: Checked
    • Opacity: 75%
  • Size: Increase until letters are filled
  • Depth: Around 170%

• Inner Glow:

  • Options:
    • Blend Mode: Multiply
    • Opacity: 50%
    • Color: RGB(232, 128, 31)
    • Size: Increase to cover letters

• Close Layer Styles Dialog Box

5. Add Stroke to Original Layer

• Select Original Text Layer:

• Stroke:

  • Options:
    • Fill Type: Gradient
    • Select Gold gradient
    • Style: Reflected
    • Position: Outside
    • Size: 8 pixels

• Bevel & Emboss:

  • Style: Stroke Emboss
  • Technique: Chisel Hard
  • Size: 8 pixels
  • Gloss Contour: Ring Double, Anti-aliased

6. Add Outer Glow

• Outer Glow:
  • Options:
    • Opacity: 40%
    • Color: RGB(232, 128, 31)
    • Size: 50-60 pixels
• Close Layer Styles Dialog Box

7. Add Sparkles

• New Layer: Name it Sparkles
• Brush Tool: Select Brush Tool
• Load Brush:
  • Right-click inside document, select Assorted Brushes
  • Choose Append, then set to Small List
  • Select Crosshatch 4 Brush
• **Sample Color: ** Press Alt/Option key to switch to Eyedropper, sample light yellow from text
• Add Sparkles: Randomly click around letters, vary brush size using bracket keys
• Adjust Opacity: Lower to 80% if needed

Conclusion

• Effect Recap: Created gold text using layer styles, gradients, and brushes
• Encouragement: Subscribe for more tutorials
• Sign-off: Steve Patterson from Photoshop Essentials