In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a rusted metal text effect in Photoshop. I will explain everything in so much detail that everyone can create the text effect, even those who have just opened Photoshop for the first time.

Do you want to save time with a ready-made text effect? Check out this rusty text effect on Envato Elements, where you can find over 1,000 awesome text effects!

If you prefer to learn new Photoshop skills by watching video tutorials, we’ve got you covered too. Check out this new tutorial from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel to learn how to create a rust effect in Photoshop: 

What You’ll Learn in This Rust Effect Photoshop Tutorial

• How to create a rust effect background
• How to make a 3D rust text effect in Photoshop
• How to stylize the text effect
• How to adjust the 3D text effect lighting
• How to add rust textures to the text effect

What You’ll Need

To recreate the rusty text design above, you will need the following resources:

• Visage Bold & Regular Font
• Rusty texture with cracked paint
• Rusty metal plate
• Rusted surface of old iron
• Blue metal surface covered with rust
• Texture / metal: Rusting steel plate 1
• Rusted metal texture

1. How to Start Creating a Text Effect

Let’s start this Photoshop text effect tutorial! First, create a new file. Go to File > New and set the Width to 2340 px, Height to 1560 px, and Resolution to 72 px/in.

2. How to Create the Rusty Text Effect Background

Step 1

In this section, we are going to create the rusted background for the text effect. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color to create a new solid color fill layer, name it Background Color, and choose the color #000000.

Step 2

Now Right-click on this layer, choose Blending Options, check Gradient Overlay effect, and use the settings below:

Step 3

Go to File > Place Embedded, select the first texture from the link, and click Place. Then, transform and position the texture as shown below. Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Overlay, and name it BT_1.

Step 4

Now go to File > Place Embedded again, select the second texture from the link, and click Place. Then, transform and position the texture as shown below. Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Linear Dodge (Add), and name it BT_2.

Step 5

Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to add a layer mask that hides the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #ffffff, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a soft brush, and brush as shown below:

Step 6

Go to File > Place Embedded once again, select the third texture from the link, and click Place. Then, transform and position the texture as shown below. Change the Opacity of this layer to 80%, and name it BT_3.

Step 7

Right-click on this layer, choose Blending Options, and adjust the blending as shown below:

Step 8

Now go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to add a layer mask that hides the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #ffffff, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a soft brush, and brush as shown below:

3. How to Make the 3D Rust Effect

Step 1

In this section, we are going to make the 3D rusted text effect. Choose the Horizontal Type Tool (T), and set the font to Visage, font style to Bold, size to 600 px, alignment to Center, and color to #ffffff. Then, in the Character panel, set the Tracking to 50, click anywhere inside the canvas, type the text below, and center the text with the canvas.

Step 2

Now go to 3D > New 3D Extrusion from Selected Layer. In the 3D panel, select the Rust mesh, and in the Properties panel, set the Extrusion Depth to 50 px.

Step 3

In the Properties panel, click on the Cap icon, and set the Bevel Width to 15% and Contour to Half Round.

Step 4

Now in the 3D panel, select the Rust Front Inflation Material and Shift-click on the Rust Back Inflation Material to select all materials between. In the Properties panel, click on the Base Color texture icon, choose Load Texture, and select the first texture from the link.

Step 5

While all Rust mesh materials are selected, in the Properties panel, set the Height to 50%, click on the Height texture icon, and select the first texture from the link.

Step 6

In the 3D panel, select the Rust Front Inflation Material, click on the Base Color texture icon, choose Edit UV Properties, and adjust them as you like. Repeat this for Rust Front Bevel Material and Rust Extrusion Material.

4. How to Adjust the 3D Text Effect Lighting

Step 1

In this section, we are going to adjust the lighting in the scene. In the 3D panel, select the Infinite Light 1, and in the Properties panel, enter the settings below. Then, using the Move Tool (V) or Coordinates, position the light source as you like.

Step 2

Now in the 3D panel, select the Environment, and in the Properties panel, set the Color to 100% and Ground Plane Opacity to 0%.

Step 3

Go to 3D > Render 3D Layer to render the result. Then, in the Layers panel, Right-click on the Rust layer and choose Convert to Smart Object.

5. How to Stylize the Rusted Metal Text Effect

Step 1

In this section, we are going to stylize the rusted text effect. Right-click on the Rust layer and choose Blending Options. Then, select and check the Drop Shadow effect, click on the Plus icon next to it to add two more drop shadow effects, and use the settings below for each:

Step 2

Now select and check the Outer Glow effect, and use the settings below:

Step 3

Select and check the Inner Glow effect, and use the settings below:

Step 4

Now select and check the Inner Shadow effect, and use the settings below:

6. How to Add Rust Textures to the Text Effect

Step 1

Next up in this rust effect Photoshop tutorial, we are going to add rust textures to the text effect. Go to File > Place Embedded, select the fourth texture from the link, and click Place. Then, transform and position the texture as shown below, change the Blending Mode of this layer to Soft Light, and name it RT_1. Press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask, Double-click on this layer, and in the newly opened file, press Control-Shift-U to desaturate this layer, and Control-S to save the changes. After that, close this file and go back to the original file.

Step 2

Now go to File > Place Embedded again, select the fifth texture from the link, and click Place. Then, transform and position the texture as shown below. Change the Blending Mode of this layer to Soft Light, and name it RT_2. Press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask, and desaturate this layer using the same method described above.

Step 3

Go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to add a layer mask that hides the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #ffffff, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a soft brush, and brush as shown below:

Step 4

Now go to File > Place Embedded once again, select the sixth texture from the link, and click Place. Then, transform and position the texture as shown below. Change the Opacity of this layer to 85% and name it RT_3. Press Control-Alt-G on your keyboard to create a clipping mask, and desaturate this layer as well using the same method described above.

Step 5

Right-click on this layer and choose Blending Options. Then, adjust the blending as shown below:

Step 6

Now go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to add a layer mask that hides the whole layer. Then, set the foreground color to #ffffff, choose the Brush Tool (B), pick a soft brush, and brush as shown below:

7. How to Make the Final Adjustments

Step 1

In this section, we are going to make the final adjustments to the text effect. Press Control-Alt-Shift-E on your keyboard to make a screenshot. Then, go to Filter > Camera Raw Filter, select the Basic tab, and enter the settings below:

Step 2

Now select the Detail tab, and set the Sharpening to 29 and Noise Reduction to 64.

You Made It! Your Rust Effect Photoshop Design Is Done!

Congratulations, you’ve succeeded! You’ve now learned how to create a 3D rusted metal text effect in Photoshop. Here is our final result:

5 Cool Photoshop Text Effects and Resources

Want to see some cool rust effect Photoshop items? Check out this list of rust items from Envato Elements. Enjoy!

Rust Text Effect (PSD)

Create a rust text effect with this rusted text PSD template. You can also use it for a logo, and everything is done using Photoshop smart objects.

3D Rusted Metal Logo Mockup (PSD)

Showcase your design as rusted 3D metal on a rusted metal background. You control the lighting, and you can replace the design in minutes!

Rust Metal Backgrounds (JPG)

There are six high-resolution rust metal backgrounds included in this set. You can use them to add realistic rust backgrounds or as texture overlays to add a rusted effect to your design.

Iron Man: 100 Metal Textures (JPG)

Choose from 100 high-resolution metal textures! The textures are photographed, and you can use them for any project, from backgrounds to web projects.

Groches Rust (OTF, TTF)

Use this rust font to instantly get a rust effect with your text. You can use it for headlines, signs, displays, logos, or maybe as a base for a rust effect!

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