4-Minute Photoshop Pro Tips | Distressed Text Edges

For everything from a subtle worn-in effect to a heavily distressed text look, this quick and easy approach makes a great jumping off point. Step by step instructions and free textures linked below!

FREE TEXTURES USED IN THIS TUTORIAL:

HUGE LIBRARY OF FREE TEXTURES:

FONT USED IN THIS TUTORIAL:

CONNECT:

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
Starting point: Live type layers and paper texture background (linked above).

1- Cmd/Ctrl click on the layer icon of a text layer to make a selection in the shape of the text.

2- Shift Cmd/Ctrl click on the layer icon of any additional text layers to add to the selection.

3- Turn off visibility of live text layers.

4- With the selection still active, create a new Solid Color layer (found in the fill and adjustment layers menu at the bottom of the layers palette). Set the solid color to black.

5- Making sure the mask of the solid layer is selected, use Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize set to 5px.

6- Right click on the mask and use Select and Mask.

7- In the global refinements section, turn Smooth up to about 40 and Contrast up to about 50. For any strange artifacts, try turning Feather up very slightly. Press OK.

8- Change the blending mode of the Solid layer to Color Burn.

9- Double click on the Solid Layer's icon to change the color (color used in this tutorial is R87 G107 B111).

10- With the mask of the Solid Layer still selected, use Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize set to 20px.

11- Immediately after applying Crystalize, use Cmd/Ctrl Shift F to fade the filter.

12- Set the fade opacity to 60% with blending mode set to Screen.

13- Apply Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize again, set to 60px.

14- Use Cmd/Ctrl Shift F to fade the filter, with the opacity at 15% and the blending mode set to screen.

15- Apply Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize one last time, set to 5px.

[agis]

Best tutorials I've seen in my 12 years on YT experience!

[Melancholic_Static]

If anyone reading this is having trouble with the crystallize filter seemingly not working, here is what fixed it for me (and it's stupidly simple) on the Colour Fill layer, it seems the colour (on the left of the layer) is selected by default, but you have to click on the actual Layer Mask (right) and then try it and it should work.

[IanJones]

Your enthusiasm for the crystallize filter is contagious! I love it!

[klam_art]

Your tutorials are both time saving and mind blowing. Crazy amount of photoshop knowledge!

[markgeller]

One of the best channels with PS tutorials!!!

[nateoski]

Thanks again Brady for creating accessible tutorials that are bite sized and digestible. Now, I understand the importance of using shift+F5 or fade after you applied the crystal filter or any other filter. Obviously, there are many ways to get a similar affect. This is quick and easy. Thank-you for the great content.

[GreenNoize]

I searched a lot for a tutorial about ink edges and wet page effect and this gave me the best results by far. Just used it for the objects of a videogame I'm working on! Gold! Thanks!

[LeoFOntRaudal]

I am happy I found you on my YouTube suggested videos. So many good tutorials with so many free tools...Thanks so much for your time to teach and share your knowledge

[darioassis]

This was so quick AND SIMPLE yet the result is JUST SO GOOD

[marshallhartlen]

The possibilities are literally endless, thank you so much!

[iamYork_]

Ive only recently discovered you and so many little techniques here and there in your workflow are so exceptional... Keep up the great work!!!

[bileewr]

this was so cool, absolutely loved it!! thank you so much for your tutorials!

[CraigHoward]

I am so glad I found you, I can not tell you how valuable this kind of stuff is for people who create paper replicas / props / faux documents for screen or collection! This is gold dust!! 😍 immediate sub

[rholdorf]

Highest quality tutorials ever. Truly pro techniques. Thank you!

[pocamadre]

You're by far one of the best in YT. Thank you so much!

[Garstor]

This was awesome! Thank you for the big reminder that filters can be used on masks. It is easy to forget that sometimes and you miss out on spectacular effects like this.

[veguitarian_lifestyle]

Really amazing. This is exactly what I was looking for. Keep up the good work.

[GierlangBhaktiPutra]

Concise and practical tips. Really helpful!

[Flysonfame]

Such a simple yet infinitely useful technique. I already can imagine so many ways to play of this concept utilizing many other filter settings. Thank You.

[jessemkahn]

what an amazing use of a previously seemingly pointless filter!!!