Create a letterpress emboss text effect in Photoshop

A great and simple way to create the letterpress like effect using Photoshop. Basically all you need to do is to apply different layer styles to text or object, let me show you how.

Create a new document of any size you want.

Choose two different color for the gradient.

They should go well together.

Choose the Gradient Tool and the choose the Foreground to Background gradient (see picture).

Choose the the Radial Gradient (see picture).

Create a gradient similar to mine by clicking, holding and dragging the mouse across the document.

The starting point should be in the middle of the document and you can repeat this step as many times as you like or until you are satisfied with your gradient.

In the menu click Filter, Artistic and choose Film Grain...

Choose the same settings as I did and click OK.

Press Ctrl + J to create a new layer.

Choose the Horizontal Type Tool.

Type some text ...

... and click the Commit button (see picture).

Press Ctrl + T to enter the free transform mode, move the text in the middle of the document and resize it by dragging the corners and sides.

Hold Ctrl key while resizing to keep the font proportions in tact.

Press Enter to commit the changes.

Hold Ctrl and click the text layer thumbnail (see picture).

This way you selected text only.

Now delete the text layer.

Press Ctrl + C to copy selection then press Ctrl + V to paste the selection.

You can't see the text in document because it's the same color as background.

Let's now start adding the letterpress effect.

In the menu click Layer, Layer Style and choose Inner Shadow...

Choose the same settings as I did and click OK.

The bigger Size you set, the deeper the letterpress will look like.

Now again, press Ctrl key and click the text layer thumbnail (see picture).

Now select the background copy layer and press the Delete button.

Press Ctrl + D to deselect the selection.

Click the fx button and choose Bevel and Emboss...

Choose the same Structure settings as I did ...

... choose the same Shading settings as I did and click OK.

We are almost done, wee need to make the text a bit darker for the better feel of depth.

Choose the text layer, hold Ctrl key and click the text layer thumbnail to create a selection.

Press Ctrl + L to open the Levels window.

Drag the grey slider little bit to the right to make the text slightly darker and click OK.

You are done!

And the whole letterpress text effect.