Create Awesome Stranger Things Text in Photoshop

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting up the Photoshop document
3. Creating the text
4. Adding a stroke to the text
5. Making a backup of the text layer
6. Using a layer mask to hide and reveal parts of the text
7. Adding a blur effect to the text
8. Adding color to the text
9. Adding a glow effect behind the text
10. Adding highlights to the text
11. Conclusion

How to Recreate the Stranger Things Title Screen Look in Adobe Photoshop

If you're a fan of the hit show Stranger Things and want to recreate the iconic title screen look for your own text or logo, you're in luck! In this tutorial, we'll walk you through step by step how to achieve this effect using Adobe Photoshop. Whether you're a seasoned Photoshop user or a beginner, you'll be able to follow along and create a stunning design that pays homage to Stranger Things.

Introduction

Before we dive into the tutorial, it's worth mentioning that this video is sponsored by Squarespace. Squarespace is a reliable platform for hosting and creating websites, and we highly recommend it for anyone looking to establish an online presence. If you're interested, stick around till the end of the video to get 10% off your first Squarespace order.

Setting up the Photoshop document

To begin, we'll start by creating a new Photoshop document. We recommend setting the dimensions to 3000 by 3000 pixels, with a resolution of 72 pixels per inch and the color mode to RGB. For this effect, it's best to use a black background or a very dark color to make the lighting effect stand out. Using a light background may result in a washed-up look. Once you've set the document parameters, click "OK" to proceed.

Creating the text

Now that we have our document ready, it's time to add our text or logo. Press "T" to bring up the Type Tool in Photoshop, then click on the canvas and type in your desired text. You can select any font you like for this effect, but we recommend choosing a font with some weight to it to enhance the stroke effect. If you want to use a font similar to the one used in the Stranger Things intro, you can download a font called "Ben Cuíat Bold" (link provided in the video description).

Adding a stroke to the text

To give our text that signature look, we'll now add a stroke. Select the text layer and go to the Layer Styles menu. Choose "Stroke" and set the size to 7 pixels, position to "Outside," blend mode to "Normal," and opacity to 100%. Set the fill color to white and click "OK." Finally, bring down the fill value to zero so that only the outline of the text is visible.

Making a backup of the text layer

As a precautionary step, it's always a good idea to make a backup of your text layer. To do this, select the text layer and press "Command J" (or "Ctrl J" on PC) to create a duplicate layer. Rename this layer to "Backup" and make it invisible by clicking the eye icon next to it. This way, you can easily revert back to the original text if needed.

Using a layer mask to hide and reveal parts of the text

Now it's time to add some depth and dimension to our text by using a layer mask. Create a new layer above the text layer, then merge both layers by selecting them and right-clicking to choose "Merge Layers". Rename this layer to "Text". With the layer mask selected, bring up the brush tool by pressing "B". Set your foreground color to black and background color to white. Using a soft brush, you can hide certain parts of the text to make them less visible. Adjust the brush's opacity to 80% for a subtle effect. Remember, black hides and white reveals, so you can toggle between the foreground and background colors by pressing "X" on your keyboard.

Adding a blur effect to the text

To further enhance the look of our text, we'll add a blur effect. Duplicate the "Text" layer by pressing "Command J" (or "Ctrl J" on PC). Then, go to the Filter menu, choose "Blur," and select "Gaussian Blur." Set the radius to 5 pixels and click "OK." Duplicate this layer and apply the same blur effect, but this time increase the radius to 15 pixels. Repeat this process once more, duplicating the layer and setting the radius to 30 pixels.

Adding color to the text

To add a pop of color, create a new layer above the blurred layers and name it "Color." Select a color of your choice, or use a gradient for variation. For a red color similar to the Stranger Things intro, fill the layer with the hex value "#EE312A". Change the blending mode to "Multiply" to blend the color layer with the text.

Adding a glow effect behind the text

Now, let's create a subtle glow effect behind the text. Create a new layer below all the text layers and name it "Glow." Decrease the opacity of this layer to about 10%. With the brush tool, set your foreground color to the same color as the text and use a wide, soft brush to add a few spots that are noticeable but not overwhelming.

Adding highlights to the text

Lastly, we'll add highlights to make the text stand out even more. Create a new layer above the color layer and name it "Highlights." Change the blending mode to "Overlay" and select white as the foreground color. Using the brush tool, highlight random parts of the text to create a visual contrast between the highlights and darker areas.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully recreated the Stranger Things title screen look using Adobe Photoshop. Remember to experiment with colors, glows, and highlights to achieve your desired effect. Don't forget to check out Squarespace for your website-building needs, and be sure to tag us on Instagram if you share your creation. Thank you for watching, and see you in the next tutorial!

Highlights

• Step-by-step guide to recreating the Stranger Things title screen look
• Tips for choosing the right fonts and colors
• Using layer styles and blending modes to add dimension to the text
• Creating a backup layer for easy edits
• Utilizing layer masks to hide and reveal parts of the text
• Adding blur effects for a dynamic look
• Incorporating color and glow to enhance the design
• Adding highlights to make the text pop
• Sponsored by Squarespace for website creation and hosting
• Showcasing user creations on Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use any font for this effect? A: Yes, you can use any font you like. However, choosing a font with some weight to it will enhance the stroke effect.

Q: Is Squarespace a good platform for creating websites? A: Yes, Squarespace is a reliable and user-friendly platform that offers professionally designed templates and excellent customer service.

Q: Can I adjust the opacity and size of the brush tool? A: Absolutely! You can adjust the opacity and size of the brush tool to achieve the desired effect.

Q: Can I customize the colors and effects to suit my style? A: Of course! Feel free to experiment with different colors, glows, and highlights to create a design that reflects your personal aesthetic.

Q: Where can I find the download link for the "Ben Cuíat Bold" font? A: The download link for the font can be found in the video description.

Q: Can I use this tutorial to recreate the title screen look for a different show or logo? A: Absolutely! This tutorial can be adapted to recreate the title screen look for any text or logo you choose. Simply follow the steps and adjust the settings to fit your specific design.