Master the 80's Style Chrome Logo Text Effect in Photoshop

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Creating the Background
   • 2.1 Setting up the Document in Photoshop
   • 2.2 Adding the Background
3. Creating the Chrome Text Effect
   • 3.1 Adding the Text
   • 3.2 Converting Text to Shape
   • 3.3 Styling the Outline Text
   • 3.4 Styling the Centre Text
4. Enhancing the Chrome Text Effect
   • 4.1 Adding Gradient Overlay to Outline Text
   • 4.2 Adding Gradient Fill to Outline Text
   • 4.3 Adding Layer Styles to Turbo Text
5. Adding Finishing Touches
   • 5.1 Adding Brush Spots
   • 5.2 Adding Mini Lens Flares
   • 5.3 Adding Textures and Color Casts
   • 5.4 Adding Grain to the Artwork
6. Conclusion

I. Introduction

In this tutorial, we will take a trip back to the 80s and recreate a rad text effect inspired by the chrome logos commonly seen in games, movies, and TV shows of that era. We will use Photoshop to create a detailed and customized artwork that combines a bold chrome text effect with vibrant colors.

II. Creating the Background

To start, we need to create the background for our artwork. Open Photoshop and create a new document with a size of 2000x1300 pixels and an RGB color mode. Fill the background with black using the ALT-Backspace shortcut. Next, use the Type tool to write your chosen wording using a free font called Axis for the word "Lazer" and the script font Streamliner for the word "Turbo". Give these words a white fill and position them in a visually pleasing layout.

III. Creating the Chrome Text Effect

Now, let's dive into creating the chrome text effect. With the Lazer text element selected in the Layers panel, right-click and select "Convert to Shape". Duplicate this shape layer and rename the copies as "Outline" and "Centre". In the Outline layer, clear out the fill and add a stroke with a random color. Increase the size to 10pt and change the alignment to outside.

Moving on to the Centre layer, edit the Layer Styles to add a Gradient overlay. Set up a gradient with black, mid blue, white, purply-pink, and white color stops. Adjust the gradient orientation and handles for a smooth color flow. Add an Inner Glow using a mid blue color, a Stroke with white color and specific settings, and an Outer Glow with a specific hot pink color.

IV. Enhancing the Chrome Text Effect

To further enhance the chrome text effect, we will add a Gradient Overlay to the Outline text layer. Set up a gradient with alternating mid blue and light blue color stops. Adjust the angle to achieve a pleasing spread of color over the text.

Next, create a new layer and use the Polygonal Lasso tool to trace around each segment of the outline, filling the selection with a black to white gradient using the Gradient tool. Change the blending mode of this layer to Color Burn. Repeat this process for each edge of the outline to emphasize the shiny metallic effect.

V. Adding Finishing Touches

To add the final touches to our artwork, let's first create a new layer and use a soft brush with a vibrant pink color to dab some spots around the word "Lazer" underneath the word "Turbo". Load the selections of the text layers, inverse the selection, and delete the excess from the pink spots layer. Change the blending mode to Color and reduce the opacity for a subtle reflection effect.

We can also add mini lens flares to create specular highlights. Download a stock image and change the blending mode to Screen, then position the flares over the brightest areas of the text. No 80s design is complete without some grainy texturing, so download some grunge textures and add them as a layer above the background. Adjust the levels and opacity to achieve the desired effect. Lastly, add a touch of grain to the artwork using the Add Noise filter.

VI. Conclusion

By following these steps, we have successfully created a vibrant and visually appealing 80s chrome text effect. The combination of layer styles, gradients, and finishing touches has brought our design to life. Feel free to experiment with different fonts, colors, and textures to create your unique variations of this retro-inspired artwork.