How to Create Chrome Text in Photoshop

Chrome text stands out on a dark background.

Whether you want a shiny logo for your website or you need a header that stands out, giving your text a chrome look will add style and flair. Creating beautiful chrome text is fun and easy with Adobe Photoshop. Read on to learn how to create chrome text in Photoshop.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop

Instructions

1. 

   Open an image with a medium-dark background and type in your text in white. Choose a block-type font. You can use another background as long as the white text contrasts sufficiently.

2. 

   Rasterize your text and add a layer effect by clicking on the effects button at the bottom your layer pallet. The layer effects box will appear. Choose an "Inner Bevel" from the top drop-down menu and adjust the sliders until your text shows a nice beveled effect. If the box is covering your image, just click on the bar at the top and drag it over.

3. 

   Click "OK" and notice how your text immediately takes on depth and perspective. Since a chrome effect depends upon the illusion of depth, the Inner Bevel mode creates just the right shading.

4. 

   Add an "Adjustment Layer" to your image by clicking the corresponding button at the bottom of the "Layers" pallet. It’s right beside the "Layer Effect" button you chose earlier. When the menu pops up, choose "Curves" and another box will open, this one with a white box with a diagonal line running from lower left to upper right.

5. Check the "Preview" button so you can see the changes to your text as you manipulate the diagonal line. Click and drag a point on the left portion of the line upwards to the top cross line on the chart. Now, click and drag the upper portion of the line on the right side downwards.

6. 

   Note that the right portion of the diagonal line rose to the top of the box after adjusting the first point. That’s OK, just grab it and bring it down close to the bottom chart line, watching your image as you adjust it. Click "OK."

7. Flatten your image into one layer by going to the "Layers Menu" at the top of the screen and choosing "Flatten." There you have it.--a nice chrome effect for a heading or a logo.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with the Inner Bevel and Curves adjustment effects until you like the way your text looks. Since a font of a different width will need less bevel, keep the "Preview" box selected when you made the adjustments.