Web Development: How to Create a Stylized Chalk Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Friday, April 10, 2020

How to Create a Stylized Chalk Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

This tutorial will show you a really quick and easy way to create a stylized chalk text effect, using some filters and drop shadow effects. Let's get started!

This text effect was inspired by the many Layer Styles available on Envato Market.

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

Tutorial Assets

The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial:

Magnolia Script font
Black Board by stux

Looking for a chalk effect in Photoshop? Head on over to Envato Elements and download this amazing chalk effect Photoshop Layer Styles set with 15 chalk and 15 charcoal style presets.

1. Create the Background

Step 1

Open the Black Board image, and then go to Image > Image Size, and set the Width to 1000 px.

Step 2

Click the Create new fill or adjustment layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel and choose Levels.

Step 3

Set the Gamma value to 0.95. This will darken the texture a little bit.

2. Create the Text and Chalk Layers

Step 1

Create the text using the font Magnolia Script. Set the Size to 200 pt, and if you're using multiple lines of text, set the Leading to a value around 185 pt.

Step 2

Set the Foreground and Background colors to Black and White.

Create a new layer below the text layer, call it Chalk, and fill it with Black.

Step 3

Go to Filter > Convert for Smart Filters, to convert the layer into a smart object.

3. Apply the Filters

Step 1

Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise.

Change the Amount to 150 and the Distribution to Gaussian, and check the Monochromatic box.

Step 2

Go to Filter > Stylize > Diffuse, and choose the Lighten Only Mode.

4. Mask the Chalk Texture

Step 1

Command-click the text layer's thumbnail to create a selection.

Step 2

Click the Add layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.

Step 3

Select the text layer, and change its Fill value to 0.

5. Style the Text Layer

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

Step 1

Add a Drop Shadow with these settings:

Color: #1e1c1e
Opacity: 100%
Distance: 6
Spread: 35
Size: 1
Noise: 100%

Step 2

Click the + icon to the right of the Drop Shadow tab to add another instance with these settings:

Color: #b57b88
Opacity: 100%
Distance: 7
Spread: 60
Size: 5
Noise: 50%

Step 3

Add another Drop Shadow instance with these settings:

Color: #000000
Opacity: 25%
Distance: 15
Spread: 0
Size: 15
Noise: 30%

This will create the colored chalk outline and finish off the text effect.

Text Effect Actions

If you need Photoshop actions that will do most of the work for you, check out our propositions:

Chalk Generator

This item comes with 14 extra actions to make your main shape/text/raster have a chalk writing look. You can play with many ready-made icons to give your chalkboard a unique look.

Flour & Powder - Photoshop Actions

Ever tried to write text or make a logo or graphic using flour or powder? It's really hard. With this set of Photoshop actions, you can achieve amazing results with few clicks. Simply install the action, create your text or logo, and click play. Job done!

Sand Photoshop Action

Make your text or logo written in the sand! You can achieve a realistic effect of writing on the sand in just a couple of seconds. Use this summer style for your projects!

Leather Badge Generator - Photoshop Actions

Generate realistic leather elements from your text, logo, shape, or design in a few clicks. This is a clean, photo-realistic effect, with high detail.

Salt and Sugar Generator - Photoshop Actions

Transform your text or logo into a realistic Salt and Sugar effect in few clicks. All the layers are well organized and packed in a Smart Object, so the starting layer is untouched.