How to Make a Distressed Effect Photoshop Action

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a distressed effect in Photoshop with actions using smart filters, adjustment layers, and overlay textures.

If you want to learn these photo effects via video, check out our lesson on the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

If you want a distressed texture effect Photoshop action that's ready to go, then head to Envato Elements. You can find premium options to download like this one that are included with your subscription:

Tutorial Assets

This distressed effect Photoshop tutorial uses a photo that's no longer available, but you can download the textures you need here.

1. How to Start Recording the Photoshop Action

Step 1

First of all, we need to open the image. Press Control-O and select the image you want to use.

Step 2

Now we can start to create our distressed effect Photoshop action. So hit Alt-F9, or go to Windows > Actions to open the Actions panel.

Step 3

Hit the New Action button to create a new action, and then hit Record. Now our distressed texture Photoshop action will start recording.

2. How to Create a Hard Distressed Photo Effect 

Step 1

Select the background layer and then Right-Click on the layer and select Convert to Smart Object.

Step 2

Select the smart object and then go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and use the following settings:

• Amount: 5%
• Distribution: Gaussian
• Monochromatic: On

Step 3

After that, go to Filter > Filter Gallery > Texture > Grain. Use the following settings:

• Intensity: 15
• Contrast: 50
• Grain Type: Regular

Step 4

Place "Distressed Texture 01.png" above the smart object.

Step 5

After that, place "Distressed Texture 02.jpg" and change the Blending Mode of this new layer to Multiply.

Step 6

Now we need to create color correction layers for our distressed texture Photoshop effects. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast and create a new layer with the following settings: 

• Brightness: 70
• Contrast: -25

Step 7

After that, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation and create a new layer with Saturation of -35.

Step 8

Our rustic Photoshop action is ready now. Click Stop in the Actions panel.

This is how our distressed texture image should look like after the manipulations listed above:

3. How to Create a Soft Distressed Photo Effect Action

Step 1

In case this type of distressed texture effect is too extreme-looking, we could easily make it softer. Let's create another action and name it "Soft Distressed Action".

Step 2

Select the first overlay distressed texture and change the Opacity of the layer to 25%.

Step 3

After that, we need to change the Opacity of the second distressed texture to 80%. 

Step 4

After that, hit the Stop button to finish the recording of the action. Now you can easily change the effect to a softer version just by playing this additional distressed effect Photoshop action.

Awesome Work, You're Now Done!

Congratulations! You've created distressed photo effects using overlay textures and Photoshop effects. Here is our final result:

Now that you've created this distressed effect as an action, you can apply this Photoshop weathered look to just about any of your photos.

Awesome Distressed Texture Photoshop Actions From Envato Elements

Looking for some more distressed photo effect Photoshop actions? Сheck these Photoshop actions from Envato Elements:

Vintage Sketch Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)

This item adds a realistic distressed effect and turns your image into an old sketch with pencils, paints elements, and ten color effects. The final effect of this distressed texture Photoshop action could be easily changed as it gives you a well-structured final PSD file.

SoVintage Photoshop Action (ATN)

This rustic Photoshop action gives you not only 80s styles but also 15 light leaks, 10 distressed textures, and noise vignette layers. It could be applied to any image, and it works in a few simple clicks.

Antiq Guilloche Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)

This awesome pack of distressed effects for Photoshop contains actions, brushes, and patterns which could give your image a distressed feel in a few simple clicks. It's great if you want to use Photoshop to create a weathered look.

Vintage Photo Creator (PSD)

"Vintage Photo Creator" is an excellent tool that could help you to create Facebook covers, posters, or T-shirt designs. It includes a great number of textures, backgrounds, and 12 main effects. All rustic Photoshop effects are included in one PSD file.

Vintage Photo Effects (PSD)

If you want another distressed texture effect for Photoshop, take a look at "Vintage Photo Effects". Create vintage-looking photos with paper textures applied to your images using this smart template. You'll have a cool Photoshop weathered look in no time with this download.

More Distressed and Vintage Effect Resources

You just learned how to make a distressed effect in Photoshop and saw some cool vintage downloads. Want to learn how to create more similar effects? Check these awesome tutorials:

• 
  Photoshop Actions
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• 
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• 
  Adobe Photoshop
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• 
  Photoshop Actions
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  Photo Manipulation
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• 
  Fonts
  25+ Best Free Vintage Fonts (Free & Premium to Download!)
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• 
  Textures
  How to Create a Dusty Texture From Scratch
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