How to Create a Medieval Metallic Text Effect in Adobe Photoshop

In this tutorial I will show you how to create a metallic medieval fantasy text effect, using a pattern and layer styles.

For even more epic medieval-inspired text effects, check out the Epic Text Effects pack below. This pack is a quick and easy way to include fantastic looking medieval gothic font styles in your project. The pack features eight easy-to-edit PSD files which are perfect for posters, flyers, website banners, cinematic titles, and more. Now let's follow along with this tutorial to learn how to make a metallic font in Photoshop from scratch.

What You'll Learn in This Photoshop Tutorial

• How to make a metallic font in Photoshop using a pattern and layer styles.
• How to emulate a 3D effect in your medieval style font using layer styles such as bevel and emboss.
• How to use the contour editor to gain full control over what your text effect looks like.
• How to add shadow and lighting effects to your medieval font.

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

What You'll Need

Before you start creating this text effect, download and install the Photoshop medieval font and the metal pattern:

• Black brick background
• Cardinal font
• Dirty Metal pattern

1. How to Create the Background

We will use the black brick background from the tutorial assets as our document background, which will create a new document 850 x 600 px. To do so, go to Menu > File > Open and open the black-brick-background.jpg. 

2. How to Create the Metallic Medieval Text Effect

This text effect is made of one layer, so when we are done, you can save it as a new style in your Styles palette for future use. Now we are ready to start creating the Photoshop medieval font.

Step 1

Pick the Type Tool and select the Cardinal which we will use for our medieval style font. Set the Font Size to 354 pt. Write the word Kalio into the document.

Step 2

Select your text layer in the Layers panel, right click on the layer and choose Blending Options from the menu. Here we will begin to use and apply the medieval Photoshop text effects.

Add a Pattern Overlay with these settings:

• Click on the Pattern box and choose the Dark Metal pattern.
• Scale: 50%

Step 3

Add a Bevel & Emboss with these settings:

• Style: Inner Bevel
• Technique: Chisel Hard
• Depth: 480%
• Direction: Up
• Size: 24 px
• Uncheck the Use Global Light box before setting Angle: 142° and Altitude: 32°
• Check the Anti-aliased box
• Highlight Mode: Color Dodge with Color white and Opacity: 85%
• Shadow Mode: Hard Light with Color black and Opacity: 61%

Step 4

While you are still in the Bevel & Emboss tab, create a custom Gloss Contour with these settings:

Add six points to the contour curve. To add points, click anywhere on the curve. Now set an Input and an Output for each of these points.

• Point 1 - Input: 0% Output: 0%
• Point 2 - Input: 18% Output: 42%
• Point 3 - Input: 60% Output: 28%
• Point 4 - Input: 73% Output: 91%
• Point 5 - Input: 89% Output: 37%
• Point 6 - Input: 100% Output: 0%

Step 5

Add a Contour with these settings:

• Check the Anti-aliased box
• Set Range to 50%

Step 6

While you are still in the Contour tab, create a custom Gloss Contour with these settings:

Add four points to the contour curve. To add points, click anywhere on the curve. Now set an Input and an Output for each of these points.

• Point 1 - Input: 0% Output: 0%
• Point 2 - Input: 14% Output: 51% and check the Corner box
• Point 3 - Input: 80% Output: 39% and check the Corner box
• Point 4 - Input: 100% Output: 0%

Step 7

Add a Stroke with these settings:

• Size: 2 px
• Position: Center
• Blend Mode: Normal
• Opacity: 100%
• Fill Type: Gradient
• Style: Diamond
• Angle: -48°
• Check the Dither box
• Scale: 150%
• Click on the Gradient and set these transparency and color stops:
• 6 transparency stops with Opacity: 0% on Locations: 0, 34, 55, 78, 87 and 100%
• 5 transparency stops with Opacity: 100% on Locations: 10, 19, 40, 67 and 92%
• Color stop 1 - Color: #23253a Location: 10%
• Color stop 2 - Color: #ddd6ff Location: 40%
• Color stop 3 - Color: #5f5d5b Location: 56%
• Color stop 4 - Color: #b7b7b7 Location: 78%

Step 8

Add an Inner Shadow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Dodge (Add) with Color #7789a2
• Opacity: 35%
• Uncheck the Use Global Light box before setting an Angle: 90°
• Distance: 4 px
• Choke: 95%
• Size: 6 px

Step 9

Add an Inner Glow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Burn
• Opacity: 16%
• Pick the color #74726f
• Technique: Precise
• Source: Edge
• Choke: 100%
• Size: 7 px
• Contour: Ring
• Check the Anti-aliased box
• Range: 92%

Step 10

Add a Satin effect with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Dodge (Add) with the color #ece8ff
• Opacity: 53%
• Angle: 0°
• Distance: 24 px
• Size: 32 px
• Check the Anti-aliased and Invert boxes

Step 11

While you are still in a Satin tab, create a custom Gloss Contour with these settings:

Add six points to the contour curve. To add points, click anywhere on the curve. Now set an Input and an Output for each of these points.

• Point 1 - Input: 0% Output: 0%
• Point 2 - Input: 4% Output: 85%
• Point 3 - Input: 22% Output: 65%
• Point 4 - Input: 75% Output: 14%
• Point 5 - Input: 80% Output: 93%
• Point 6 - Input: 100% Output: 0%

Step 12

Add a Color Overlay with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Color Burn
• Pick the color #6d8096
• Opacity: 51%

Step 13

Add an Outer Glow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Dodge (Add)
• Opacity: 71%
• Noise: 1%
• Pick the color #8288b6
• Technique: Softer
• Spread: 0%
• Size: 27 px
• Check the Anti-aliased box
• Range: 100%
• Jitter: 0 %

Step 14

As a final step, add a Drop Shadow with these settings:

• Blend Mode: Linear Burn
• Pick the color #010201
• Opacity: 26%
• Uncheck the Use Global Light box before setting an Angle: -59°
• Distance: 13 px
• Spread: 17%
• Size: 18 px

Hit OK to apply all of the blending options.

And this should be your final result.

Congratulations! You're Done!

In this tutorial, you learned how to create a metallic medieval text effect in Photoshop. We created a text layer and added many different effects in order to create our final text effect.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial, and if you like the final effect, don't forget to save this style to your Layer Styles palette for future projects.

Top 5 Medieval Fantasy Text Effects

Want to create a fantasy text effect Photoshop style but short on time? Then head on over to Envato Elements, where you can download many different medieval Photoshop text effects, fantasy fonts, letters, illustrations and more! Here are five of my favourites.

Epic Text Effects (PSD, ASL, PDF)

Need more medieval gothic font effects for your project? Then check out the Epic Text Effects pack, which includes a set of eight unique PSD templates that are easy to edit and use straight away. Perfect for creating great looking posters, flyers, social media and website banners.

Hyper Realistic 10 Chrome Text Effects (PSD)

If you want to go for a more realistic metallic look for your fantasy text effect Photoshop style, why not try the Hyper Realistic 10 Chrome Text Effects pack? Create professional-looking text and logos in just a few clicks. Simply replace the smart object with your text or logo in order to apply the metallic effect.

Stone Letters Text Effect (PSD)

For a rocky look, try the Stone Letters Text Effect. This text effect is easy to apply and perfect for your medieval fantasy text needs. Use them for your website banners, social media, cinematic titles, posters, and more.

Ultra Realistic Reflective Text Effect (PSD)

For a more retro look, try out the Ultra Realistic Reflective Text Effect. Create shiny, metallic looking text and logos with this effect. This effect works on all shapes, logos and text. Simply replace the smart object with your text or logo / shape to apply the effect! 

Treasure Text Effects (PSD, PDF)

Create these unique and colourful looking styles using the Treasure Text Effects pack. This fantasy pack offers eight unique styles contained within eight different high-res PSD files. Use your own designs and logos by placing them inside the smart object to apply the effect you want. Use these styles to create posters, flyers, social media and website banners, cinematic titles, and more!

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