While working on the poster for DIT Fest last week I managed to create an impressive text effect that I will likely reuse for awhile. It’s very subtle and does not look like a filter. I’m simply adding a slightly aged, worn, or screen-printed look to any typeface. You can even apply this effect to any solid color shape or vector graphic for a hand-made screen-printed look—all done in Photoshop.
- Create your type as you normally would
- Rasterize the type
- Add noise, around 25%. Be sure the check the ‘Monochromatic’ checkbox.
- Adjust the Input Levels, bring the black level up to about 70
- Run a very slight Gaussian Blur on your type – like 1 or 2 px
- Run Smart Sharpen to remove the blur but keep some of the organic distressing / softening that occurs. Like 200% for the amount and about 15 for the radius.
- Adjust Levels again – bring black up to about 50 and white down to 69.
Or just download the Aged Text Effect Photoshop Action (9588) and never have to remember how to do it again.
See example images:
Go Media is a creative agency based in Cleveland, Ohio. Besides the GoMediaZine, we also work for clients and sell stock artwork and design files on the Arsenal.
September 14th, 2009 at 2:53 pm -
Pretty cool action. Downloaded and added to my arsenal!
September 14th, 2009 at 3:06 pm -
Nice timesaver. Thank you!
September 14th, 2009 at 3:55 pm -
thanks! this will definitely come in handy. Plus, that poster came out sweet!
September 14th, 2009 at 4:27 pm -
Very sweet, thanks.
September 14th, 2009 at 4:47 pm -
Nice tip Jeff, and the Photoshop action makes it even better!
September 14th, 2009 at 4:48 pm -
Nice, seems a bit similar to Cameron Moll's Wicked Worn effect.
http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000024.html
Definitely easier to remember though. :)
September 14th, 2009 at 5:58 pm -
What a cool effect. Thanks so much for the action.
September 15th, 2009 at 1:06 am -
very cool tutorial, but i think this can be done with some grunge brushes.
September 15th, 2009 at 3:21 am -
I agree. Brushes and mask would be easier and you don´t have to convert text.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:02 am -
Really cool tutorial I am agree with this and simply agree with this.
Anyways thanks for the intelligent post.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:05 am -
Nice one. But there are many ways to do that :-) A little layer mask on the text layer, some grunge brushes…
September 15th, 2009 at 9:29 am -
you might like this, not cheap, but impressive
http://www.misterretro.com/permanent_press_filt...
By the way, whats the font used for the very top image (aged type with the ps logo)?
September 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am -
Although if you want to use this as an action, the grunge brush method won't work.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:07 pm -
yeah, thats right, but if you are using brushes you dont need to use the action.
i think there is more control using brushes and you can add a lot of diferent details in the illustration.
just my opinion
September 15th, 2009 at 12:33 pm -
Agreed, but in this case for lots of body text (per Jeff's design example), I'd go with Jeff's automated approach. For something more detailed or larger/prominent, hand-crafted with grunge brushes would give a more polished-looking effect.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm -
The header image font is Rockwell Standard, probably bold or extra bold.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:45 pm -
yeah, i agree with that.
even do if you have a cool brush in high res, one click and you are done.
anyway, this method is very cool
September 15th, 2009 at 12:52 pm -
ah thanks had forgotten about that one!
September 15th, 2009 at 1:58 pm -
Dame useful. Thanks
September 15th, 2009 at 6:40 pm -
When I apply this action on a brown colored text, it gets all noisy and illegible. Must it be applyed only to black text or otherwise it looks awful?
September 16th, 2009 at 10:49 am -
Yeah, if it only works well on black text, you can just change the color later.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:50 am -
Sure, grunge brushes are one way to distress type, but sometimes it looks too “brushy” if you know what I mean. This effect is more uniform and anonymous. Certain grunge brushes call too much attention to themselves. I think it's best to use a combination of a global aging technique like this and spot distressing with grunge brushes or textures.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:13 am -
yes, you are totally right, some brushes are too famous, i is that what you mean, probably the best way to do it is using your own brushes. i think this method is really cool to distress all the illustration at once and then use some stuff, so i agree with you,
but also i think that it depends on what brushes you use.
even do as i said before, this technique is really cool
September 16th, 2009 at 7:51 pm -
As a Ps beginner, not sure I understand what you mean by adjust Input Levels. Clarify, please? Thanks.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm -
hey, Ken! Go to Mode > Adjustment > levels. thats the inputs levels. this is a cool way to distress some type, never thought of doing it this way.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:15 pm -
@mike_r – thanks for clarifying that for Ken.
September 18th, 2009 at 10:36 am -
Really great Jeff! Thanks!
September 20th, 2009 at 1:53 pm -
Great share Jeff
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm -
Awesome work. And thank you!
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm -
Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:04 am -
its the best … great work
January 20th, 2010 at 1:57 pm -
I published this action at http://www.ps-actions.com
February 4th, 2010 at 10:43 am -
Nice action, very quick and easy.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:54 pm -
wow, it's nice action, i would have it, but download link is missing…
can you guys fix it up, please??
March 5th, 2010 at 3:49 am -
Thanks for the tutorial, this looks very quick and easy to do.
May 5th, 2010 at 3:53 am -
Pretty cool action. Downloaded and added to my arsenal!
dizi izle
May 5th, 2010 at 4:00 am -
Pretty cool action. Downloaded and added to my arsenal!
dizi izle
May 5th, 2010 at 4:01 am -
Thanks for this nice work!
dizi izle
May 16th, 2010 at 9:51 am -
Cool effect – thanks for creating and sharing the action to achieve this look!
May 23rd, 2010 at 8:21 am -
superb share…nice action and the tutorial…