Realistic and Super Scalable Gold Effect in Photoshop With Only Layer Styles

In this tutorial I will show you how to create a super simple gold effect in Adobe Photoshop using just layer styles. No adjustments layers, no clipping masks, nothing, just one layer and Layer Styles. The text effect in the image is a 3D rendering in gold on a dark background. The text is raised off the background, and the letters have a bevel and emboss effect that gives them a realistic, three-dimensional appearance. The gold color is achieved using a gradient overlay layer style. The text is also surrounded by a subtle outer glow that helps to further define the edges of the letters.

If you want you can download the source file directly and play with it.

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Tutorial

Step 1 

Let's start the tutorial  with a dark background, you can create one with Noise and Clouds or you can find a nice texture, perhaps generate one with AI. After that type the text you want. I chose a serif font because I like how elegant the gold effect looks, but it will work with any font.

Step 2

Layer Styles, yes, that’s it! We will only use layer styles. The first thing to do is to add a Gradient Overlay. I am using a gradient that reminds me of gold with dark yellows and beiges. You could try different variations.

Step 3

Now let’s add some Bevel & Emboss. Use the values below. One point to highlight is the Shadow and Highlight modes with Color Dodge. The reason for that is to add reflections at the top and bottom of the text.

Step 4

Texture. You can add texture by selecting that option under Bevel & Emboss. I used a default pattern, but I would recommend that you search or generate different metal textures for even better results. 

Step 5

Inner Glow with black and Multiply Blend Mode will add the dark shadows and volume to the composition.

Step 6

This is an important step. Add stroke to create the side reflections, you could create different variations, I kept it simple with a gradient from white to black and white again. Add more variation for more reflection effects.

Step 7

This one I added by accident and quite liked what it did. Int increased the strength, saturation and contrast of the gradient. A happy surprise.

Step 8

Shadows. I added 2 shadows. One is the dark one and the second one is a orange/yellow one to create a reflection of the color as if light is bouncing off and hitting the background.

Conclusion

By following these steps in this tutorial, you will end up with something like the image below. Very simple and elegant. 

More texture

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