30 Innovative & Creative Text Effect Tutorials

Text effects are used in almost everything we see: whether it a simple inner or drop shadow, a subtle gradient, or a full-blown illustrated header. Below we have a selection of thirty great tutorials from across the design community, ready for you to follow and pick up tons of new techniques. You’ll be a text-effect master before we can say the word “go!“.

The Tutorials

Here we go! Make sure you stop by the comment section and tell us which ones are your favorites!

Clash of the Titans Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Produce a great Clash of the Titans themed text effect in Photoshop, inspired by the epic movie.

Create a Funky Retro Wavy Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Create a retro-colored psychedelic background, and then mask out the image to produce some funky text.

Super Easy Neon Style Text (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to achieve a neon sign-like text effect in Photoshop.

Create Sparkling, Animated Text (Photoshop) ↓

Produce a sparkling text animation in Photoshop with just a few super simple steps.

How to Create a Simple and Elegant Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create an elegant and stunning text effect in Photoshop by following just thirteen steps!

3D Type with Repoussé (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to use Photoshop’s new Repoussé feature (CS5) to create a three-dimensional text effect.

Create a Distressed Vector Typographic Poster Design (Illustrator and Photoshop) ↓

Using a combination of Illustrator and Photoshop, learn how to create this distressed type and how to manipulate it to create an awesome poster design.

Create a Realistic Emboss/Deboss Effect in Photoshop ↓

Use a simple Photoshop technique to create embossed and debossed effects that look like the real thing.

Give a Medieval Game Logo a Rough Stone Look (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to give a pre-existing piece of two-color type a rough stone look in Photoshop with just a few short steps using textures and layer styles.

Playing with Inflate in Repoussé (Photoshop) ↓

Using Photoshop’s (CS5) new Repoussé feature, learn how to use the inflate option to create some great abstract text.

Lost in Space Typography (Photoshop) ↓

Produce an abstract type composition with light effects and futuristic textures.

Create a Stunning Text on Wild Fire EFfect (Photoshop) ↓

Use some fire stock photos combined with various filters and blending methods to create an awesome wild fire text effect.

Jungle 3D Text (Xara3D and Photoshop) ↓

After producing some 3D type in Xara3D, learn how to use Photoshop’s powerful tools to texturize the letters and make a jungle inspired type composition.

Arcadia 80’s VHS Style (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create an 80’s inspired “VHS” style typographic illustration.

How to Create a Retro-Style Text Effect (Cinema 4D and Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to easily create three dimensional text in Cinema 4D and then merge it with easy Photoshop techniques to create a retro text effect.

Creating Retro Folded Typography (Photoshop) ↓

Create a retro-looking text effect that looks like it has been constructed using folded pieces of paper.

Make Yourself an Amazing Typographic Portrait (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create your own typographic portrait using Layer Masks in Photoshop.

Create a Funny Wooden Type Treatment (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create a wooden text effect in Photoshop using layer styles and textures.

Simple Underwater Scene (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create a simple but stunning underwater scene in Photoshop with “water” typography.

Create Metallic Text on a Concrete Background (Photoshop) ↓

Produce some cool metallic text on a slick concrete background using Photoshop.

Create a Sweet Chocolate-Coated Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create a delicious chocolate-covered text effect in Photoshop.

How to Create an Incredible Typographic Illustration (Cinema 4D and Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to bring a simple proverb into a complex typographic illustration that achieves a great level of realism without using a single stock photo!

Create a Beautiful 3D Text Composition (3DS Max and Photoshop) ↓

Produce a beautiful and visually sharp three dimensional text effect in 3D Studio Max and Photoshop.

Create a Nifty Glass Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Learn to create a nice, sleek transparent glass text effect.

Create a Ultra-Shining Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to produce a ultra-shining text effect with bokeh and abstract textures in Photoshop.

Create an Editable On Screen Text Effect (Photoshop) ↓

Use Smart Objects to create an editable screenshot text effect in Photoshop.

Neon Type with Layer Styles (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create this sleek and beautiful neon-style text effect using nothing but Photoshops built-in layer styles and brushes.

Create Detailed Letters of Gold and Diamond (Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to create a set of detailed letters embedded with gold and diamond, using the polygonal tool.

Create a Colorful, Layered Paper Type Effect (Illustrator) ↓

Produce a colorful and vivid type illustration, made to look like it has been produced using paper and confetti.

Cool Typography with the Blend Tool (Illustrator and Photoshop) ↓

Learn how to make use of Illustrators’ Blend Tool to create a stunning illustrated text effect, before taking it into Photoshop to make some final touches.

How to Create Smoky Brushes and Type (Illustrator) ↓

Learn how to create realistic smoke, turn it into a brush and use it to produce a great text effect.

Your Turn To Talk

I hope you enjoyed this post! Please share your favorite tutorials with us by leaving a comment below :)