Web Development: How to Create a Cartoon Gradient Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

How to Create a Cartoon Gradient Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

Do you want to punch up the text in your latest creative project? You can use some clever fonts, or you can try out an awesome text effect for Photoshop!

There are many cool text effects for Photoshop you can download from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. But making one is always an option. In this tutorial I want to show you how to create a gradient text effect in Adobe Photoshop.

Looking for more cartoon styles to add to your work? We've added some Adobe Photoshop text effects to download after the tutorial. You can also check out our recommended cartoon photo effects and comic text effect actions:

Photoshop Actions

30 Best Cartoon Photo Effects & Comic Text Photoshop Actions

Melody Nieves

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

Tutorial Assets

The following assets will be used during this tutorial:

Great Vibes font

Before you start creating this Adobe Photoshop text effect, download and install the font.

How to Create the Layer Styles

Step 1

Open Photoshop, and go to File > New to create a new document.

Step 2

Fill the document using the color #282828. Pick the Type Tool (T) with these settings:

Font: Great Vibes
Font Size: 127 pt
Color: White
The tracking for the selection characters: -25

Step 3

Write "Fairy" (the first letter should be capital) and place it in the center of the Photoshop document (press Control-A to select the document, and then pick the Move Tool (V) and click on the Align Vertical Center and Align Horizontal Center icons).

Step 4

Double-click the text layer to apply the following layer style.

Add a Stroke with these settings:

Size: 7 px
Position: Outside
Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Fill Type: Color
Color: #ff0084

Then click OK to save the changes.

Step 5

Select the Fairy layer, go to Layer > Duplicate Layer, and name the layer "Middle". Click OK to create the layer. Pick the Move Tool (V) and move it up and left by 7 px. Go to Layer > Layer Style > Clear Layer Style to clean the layer styles. Change the color to #c6c6c6.

Step 6

Then double-click on the text layer to open the Layer Style window.

Add a Stroke with these settings:

Size: 4 px
Position: Outside
Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Fill Type: Color
Color: #8c054a

Step 7

Now add an Inner Glow:

Blend Mode: Overlay
Opacity: 50%
Noise: 0%
Color: #ffffff
Technique: Softer
Source: Edge
Choke: 100%
Size: 4 px
Contour: Linear
Uncheck Anti-aliased
Range: 100%
Jitter: 0%

Step 8

Add a Gradient Overlay with these settings:

Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Gradient: from #f6b6ce to #e35b9b
Style: Reflected
Angle: 90°
Scale: 46%
Uncheck Reverse and Dither
Check Align with Layer

Step 9

Add a Drop Shadow with these settings:

Blending Mode: Normal
Pick the color #840048
Opacity: 100%
Uncheck Use Global Light box before setting the Angle: 135°
Distance: 10 px
Spread: 100%
Size: 0 px
Contour: Linear
Uncheck Anti-aliased
Noise: 0%
Check Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow

Click OK to save changes.

Step 10

Select the Middle layer and duplicate it. Double-click on the name and change it to "Front". Press Enter to apply the settings. Pick the Move Tool (V) and move it up by 5 px and left by 1 px. Go to Layer > Layer Style > Clear Layer Style to clear the layer styles.

Step 11

Make sure that the Front layer is selected. Double-click on the layer to apply the following layer style. Set the Fill Opacity to 0%.

Step 12

Add a Stroke:

Size: 7 px
Position: Inside
Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 0%
Fill Type: Color
Color: #000000

Step 13

Add a Color Overlay with these settings:

Blend Mode: Normal
Color: #ffffff
Opacity: 40%

Then click OK to save changes.

Step 14

Select the layers Fairy, Middle, and Front, and go to Layer > Merge Layers (or press Control-E) to merge them into one.

Step 15

Double-click the text layer to apply the following layer style.

Add a Stroke:

Size: 10 px
Position: Outside
Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Fill Type: Color
Color: #000000

Step 16

Now add an Outer Glow:

Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Noise: 0%
Color: #ffffff
Technique: Softer
Choke: 100%
Size: 14 px
Contour: Linear
Uncheck Anti-aliased
Range: 100%
Jitter: 0%

Step 17

Add a Drop Shadow with these settings:

Blending Mode: Normal
Pick the color #000000
Opacity: 30%
Uncheck Use Global Light box before setting the Angle: 135°
Distance: 35 px
Spread: 0%
Size: 0 px
Contour: Linear
Uncheck Anti-aliased
Noise: 0%
Check Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow

Click OK to save changes.

Congratulations, You're Done!

In this tutorial, you learned how to create a piece of fairytale text. Hope you like it, and don't forget to share your result with us.

Cool Cartoon Text Effects for Photoshop From Envato Elements and GraphicRiver

It's always good to know how to create something useful. But if you just want a Photoshop text effect PSD to download, check out these options from Envato Elements and GraphicRiver.

1. 10 Text Style Effects for Game Logo #01 (PSD)

This creative bundle includes the text effect you just created and then some. This Adobe Photoshop text effects download features ten unique styles that fit different projects. They work with any font and are fully editable.

Photoshop Text Effect PSD Download — Try out these cool text effects for Photoshop.

2. 3D Cartoon Text Effects (PSD)

These cartoon 3D text effects in Photoshop definitely leave an impression. This bundle comes with ten different PSD text effects that are very easy to use. The over-the-top art style makes them a great choice for posters, online advertising, and more.

Adobe Photoshop Text Effects Download PSD Cartoon Style — You'll find that these 3D text effects for Photoshop add some fun to your creative projects.

3. Vintage Comics Text Effects (PSD)

Are you aiming for something old school? Then you'll love this vintage Photoshop text effect PSD download. The files have well-organized layers and are fully editable.

Vintage Comics Cool Text Effects Photoshop — This vintage Photoshop text effects download PSD has all you need to complete the comic book look.

4. Cartoon Style Text Effects (PSD, ASL, PDF)

If you've been looking for Adobe Photoshop text effects to download, you'll like this pack. There are ten fully editable cartoon text styles included. Smart Object replacement is a useful feature here, and so is the added help file!

Cartoon Style Photoshop Text Effects Download PSD — Each style in this Adobe Photoshop text effects download offers something different.

5. 3D Text Effects Vol.3 (PSD)

Who can say no to more 3D text effects for Photoshop? This pack features colorful, editable text styles for your project. Quickly change text with the Smart Object layers. In a matter of clicks, you'll have a finished product ready.

3D Text Effects Photoshop — This 3D Photoshop text effects download PSD bundle is useful to have on hand.

Explore Amazing Text Effects With Envato Tuts+

Looking for more text effect actions and assets? Check out our recommended cartoon photo effects and comic text effect actions. You'll find more Adobe Photoshop text effect PSD downloads and helpful tutorials: