Text Effects & Graphic Design Tutorials for Photoshop
Learn text effects, typography, logos, mockups, posters, and social graphics in Photoshop, from 3D text to placing type realistically on any surface. More than 130 free and PRO video tutorials from Aaron Nace for photographers who design and designers who use photos.
What You’ll Learn
Photoshop is a design tool as much as a photo editor. These tutorials cover the type, shape, and layout skills that turn a photo into a poster, an ad, or a thumbnail people click.
- Text effects. 3D text, outlined and stacked type, text behind a subject, and text that wraps onto real surfaces.
- Typography basics. The Type tool, Match Fonts, Dynamic Text, and setting type that reads at a glance.
- Logos, shapes, and vectors. Shape tools, the Pen tool for clean curves, and placing a logo in perspective.
- Mockups and packaging. Smart Object mockups for products, signs, and packaging you can update in seconds.
- Posters, ads, and social graphics. Layout, contrast, and hierarchy for movie posters, ads, carousels, and thumbnails.
Where to Start
Start with How to Create a 3D Text Effect in Photoshop, then How to Add Realistic Text to Anything in Photoshop. For commercial work, the PRO course Photoshop for Advertising: Master Graphics, Mockups & Designs builds complete ad layouts from start to finish.
Free and PRO Tutorials
Free tutorials are complete lessons, not previews. PRO tutorials go deeper and longer, and they include the sample images, RAW files, actions, and presets used in the lesson so you can follow along on the exact same file. The PRO design courses include the layered PSDs and mockup files. A PHLEARN PRO membership unlocks every PRO tutorial on the site, including all of the ones in this category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make 3D text in Photoshop?
Build the depth with stacked, offset copies of the text layer or a layer style, then add a gradient and shadow so it reads as solid. The 3D text tutorials here do it without Photoshop’s retired 3D tools.
Can I find a font from an image?
Yes. Select the text area and use Type → Match Font. Photoshop suggests the closest fonts installed on your computer and from Adobe Fonts.
What is a mockup in Photoshop?
A mockup is a photo of a product, sign, or screen with a Smart Object placed on it. Double-click the Smart Object, drop in your design, and it appears on the product with the right perspective and lighting.
Where to Go Next
Design pairs with Photo Effects for glows and textures, and with Compositing for posters built from several photos. For the core tools, see Tools & Techniques.
Learn Design in Order
The Graphics & Text Learning Path covers type, shapes, and layouts one tutorial at a time.
On This Page
PHLEARN PRO
Every PRO tutorial in this category, with sample and RAW files, plus the full PRO library.
Learn how to take a logo or icon and wrap it around any object in a photo–perfect for creating your own realistic product mockups!
Sample Images Included
Learn how to place any image inside of text in Photoshop to create stunning effect.
Sample Images Included
Learn how to place text behind anything in a photo in Photoshop!
Sample Image Included
Learn how to use a combination of automated selection tools and more manual selection tools to get beautiful, detailed cutouts.
Sample Image, PSD, and Brush Included
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 30 mins | 1 video
1 Sample PSD | 1 PDF Guide
Learn how to create seamless panoramas for Instagram using some quick math and easy-to-use Photoshop tools!
Sample Image & PSD
Learn how to create your own custom logos and graphics in Photoshop! Use shapes, type, color, and gradients to make beautiful designs.
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Medium | 3.75 hours
1 Sample Image | 5 Sample PSDs
Looking for a fun and easy way to display your photos? Try this diptych-style collage! Learn how to create a collage in Photoshop in just 3 simple steps (or download the free PSD template and insert your own photos right away).
Sample Images & PSD Included
Learn how to create your own holiday cards using a few free stock assets and some easy Photoshop techniques. Or just download the free holiday card template and start plugging in your own photos and message!
Sample Image & PSD Template Included
Create a realistic embossed effect, adding texture, depth, and dimension to a logo to make it appear as though it was pressed into a piece of paper.
Sample Image Included
Creating YouTube thumbnails with style doesn’t have to be a chore! Learn how to quickly cut people out, help them pop with a white border, and then add text and simple design elements.
Sample Images & PSD Included
Product mockups can save you and your clients time and money while making it easy to bring a brand, product, or design to life. Learn how to create mockups on billboards, books, packaging, digital displays, and more!
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Medium | 2 hours
10 Sample Images | 5 Sample PSDs
Learn how to create a classic risograph effect using simple shapes, paper texture, and a realistic print effect made in Photoshop.
Sample Textures & PSD Included
Photoshop | Photo Effects | Easy | 30 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Textures | 1 Sample PSD | 1 PDF Guide
Learn how to create stunning text effects in Photoshop! From dramatic drop-shadows, to realistic textures, to bold 3D, we cover all the bases to help your letters, words, and phrases pop.
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 2.75 hours
3 Sample Images | 8 Sample PSDs | 4 Textures | 1 Photoshop Brush
Learn how to turn a low-resolution image into a vector icon or logo that can be resized while maintaining perfect sharpness!
Sample Images Included
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 30 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Images | 1 PDF Guide
In part two of our Animating Gradients series, we show you how to create a simple and colorful animation in Adobe After Effects.
Sample Images
Join us for a two-part series where we create animated text and gradients using Photoshop in After Effects! In this first episode, learn how to cut out text from a background, create custom gradients, and export assets with transparency to use in After Effects.
Sample Images Included
Create from Image is a powerful tool for designers and creators. Learn how to make custom patterns, vectors, and color themes from any image in Photoshop!
Sample Image Included
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 PDF Guide
In Day 18 of 30 Days of Photoshop, we show you how to use Smart Objects to make a beautiful photo collage to celebrate any occasion.
Sample Images Included
Day 11 of 30 Days of Photoshop! Learn how to use the Type Tool to add text to an image, change fonts and weights, and have the text interact with parts of a photo using Layer Masks.
Sample Image Included
In Day 8 of 30 Days of Photoshop, we show you how to use all of the Transform options to scale, warp, rotate, flip, and align all the elements in a project.
Sample Images & PSD Included
Easy app and website mockups in Photoshop! Learn how to use Smart Objects and the Place Linked function to work non-destructively, and make quick edits to a design!
Sample Images & PSD Included
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
Sample Images | Sample PSDs
Learn how to use Layer Styles, Stroke, and the Type Tool to outline any text in Photoshop!
Sample PSD Included
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
2 Sample Images | 1 Sample PSD | 1 PDF Guide
In this tutorial, we teach you everything you need to know about the Pen Tool, from the most important keyboard shortcuts to making beautiful lines and curves. Learn to change a background color, remove an entire background, and create a simple logo.
Photoshop | Tools & Techniques | Medium | 2.75 hours
14 Sample Images
Learn to convert layers into Smart Objects, apply Smart Filters that can be adjusted or removed, and create multiple design mockups quickly and easily! Smart Objects will help you work faster, smarter, and non-destructively.
Photoshop | Tools & Techniques | Easy | 1.25 hours
19 Sample Images
In this tutorial, we’ll help you master every layer effect with practical examples like adding photorealistic text to an environment, creating a neon glow effect from scratch, using layer styles to add a natural glow to a light source and much more!
Photoshop | Tools & Techniques | Easy | 3.5 hours
19 Sample Images | 1 Photoshop Brush
Easily create a beautiful photo mosaic effect that is the perfect finishing touch for those occasions where you’ve taken photos of a group of people or an event.
Sample Images Included
Lightroom, Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
301 Sample Images | 1 PDF Guide
We all need a smooch from time to time. Now you can add one to any picture in Photoshop with this easy-to-install brush.
Free Brush Included
Photoshop | Photo Effects | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Custom Brush
Create a winter wonderland in seconds with this Photoshop brush full of holiday cheer! Perfect for holiday posters and cards.
Free Brush Included
Photoshop | Photo Effects | Easy | 15 mins | 1 video
1 Custom Brush
Add interest to any sky by adding realistic clouds to any sky with this exclusive Photoshop brush!
Free Brush Included
Photoshop | Photo Effects | Easy | 30 mins | 1 video
1 Custom Brush
From matching perspective to revealing and enhancing the texture below the type, you will learn how to make text look like it is part of anything in Photoshop.
Sample Images Included
Photoshop | Text & Graphic Design | Easy | 30 mins | 1 video
1 Sample Image | 1 RTF File | 1 PDF Guide
In part two of our Horror Movie Poster Series, coffee and cream are transformed into our background, providing some texture and an eerie transition from light to dark.
Sample Images Included