In
this tutorial, we'll be using layer styles to make a plastic gel-type
style that you can easily apply to text and shapes. You can download the
PSD file from the link at the bottom of the tutorial to just copy+paste
the styles.
Step 1:
BACKGROUND LAYER
We start as always with a background gradient. I've used a Radial
Gradient with two shades of the exact same brown that this site uses.
The exact color codes are:
Foreground color - #2f2520
Background color - #1e1916
Step 2:
Now in a nice delectable green, we write a word. I've written 'Jelly'
and used the font "Gill Sans Ultra Bold." Bolder fonts are good for
this sort of effect because there is more room to actually do stuff with
the styles.
Step 3:
So now we right-click on the layer and choose Blending Options to
start adding styles. First we add a drop shadow to lift the letters off
the background and then an inner shadow. Later on when we add
highlights, this shadow will contrast nicely with them.
Step 4:
To create the highlights, we use Bevel and Emboss. The default
settings for bevel and emboss suck, so don't use those. I've moved some
things around and if you download the sample PSD, you'll see what I
mean. The highlights need to be shades of green to make it look like
light is bouncing around inside the letters.
Step 5:
Next we add a Gradient Overlay and a Stroke. The gradient gives a bit
of light and dark to the letters and the stroke helps seal it off at
the edges.
Step 6:
Now the neat thing about this style is you can just change the
coloring on each set of blending options and you have a new color for
the style. Here I've written a second word and applied the style there
too but this time with red settings.
Step 7:
To finish it off, create a new layer above and then hold down Ctrl and click on the layer to select it.
Step 8:
Then go to Select > Modify > Contract and use a value of 4 pixels to shrink the selection.
Step 9:
Now we need a gradient that goes from white to transparency which you
can choose by switching to the gradient tool and using the little
thumbnail thing up at the top left (shown in the image)
Step 10:
Using that gradient, draw a gradient in the selection from white to transparency.
Step 11:
Then make an elliptical selection using the selection tool and hit
delete as shown. This will make the highlight you just drew suddenly
stop and consequently look very plasticky.
Step 12:
And that's it! I've repeated the same highlight steps on the word 'Style' as well.
Thank To
