Aged Type Effect in Photoshop (w/Ps Action)

Sep 14

Photoshop, Photoshop Actions, Tools & Tips

aged-type-header

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.

Aged-Type

  • 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 (5879) and never have to remember how to do it again.

See example images:

ditfest-postermockup2ditfest-postermockupditfest-poster-fullditfest-poster-detail2ditfest-poster-detail1awesome-example

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.

aged, design tip, distressed, download, effect, free, freebie, Freebies, graphic design, hand-made, Photoshop, Photoshop action, screenprint, screenprinting, style, technique, typography, weathered, worn

This post was written by:

Jeff Finley - who has written 203 posts on GoMediaZine.

I'm one of three owners of Go Media and admin of the GoMediaZine. I've been designing professionally since 2004 and I also play drums. Follow me on twitter!

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  • Thanks for the tutorial, this looks very quick and easy to do.
  • wow, it's nice action, i would have it, but download link is missing...
    can you guys fix it up, please??
  • Nice action, very quick and easy.
  • I published this action at http://www.ps-actions.com
  • its the best ... great work
  • Awesome work. And thank you!
  • Great share Jeff
  • Shawn_C
    Really great Jeff! Thanks!
  • 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.
  • Ken Turner
    Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
  • @mike_r - thanks for clarifying that for Ken.
  • Ken Turner
    As a Ps beginner, not sure I understand what you mean by adjust Input Levels. Clarify, please? Thanks.
  • Heeectooor
    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?
  • Yeah, if it only works well on black text, you can just change the color later.
  • vailancio
    Dame useful. Thanks
  • richn
    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)?
  • The header image font is Rockwell Standard, probably bold or extra bold.
  • richn
    ah thanks had forgotten about that one!
  • Nice one. But there are many ways to do that :-) A little layer mask on the text layer, some grunge brushes...
  • Really cool tutorial I am agree with this and simply agree with this.
    Anyways thanks for the intelligent post.
  • infectedrobot
    very cool tutorial, but i think this can be done with some grunge brushes.
  • Although if you want to use this as an action, the grunge brush method won't work.
  • infectedrobot
    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
  • 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.
  • infectedrobot
    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
  • 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.
  • infectedrobot
    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
  • I agree. Brushes and mask would be easier and you don´t have to convert text.
  • What a cool effect. Thanks so much for the action.
  • joe
    Nice, seems a bit similar to Cameron Moll's Wicked Worn effect.
    http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000024.html

    Definitely easier to remember though. :)
  • Nice tip Jeff, and the Photoshop action makes it even better!
  • Very sweet, thanks.
  • thanks! this will definitely come in handy. Plus, that poster came out sweet!
  • kriscruser
    Nice timesaver. Thank you!
  • Pretty cool action. Downloaded and added to my arsenal!
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