Grungy Rusted Carbon Fiber Text Effect
Posted on 29. Jul, 2009
by Tutorials Etc in Text Effects
In this Etc Tutorial we will be creating a grungy rusted carbon fiber text effect. We will also be creating the accompanying rusted metal background effect seen in the preview.
Here we’re going to show you how to create a grungy rusted carbon fiber text effect using a couple patterns from Webtreats ETC.

Step #1
First you will need to download the two textures below and convert them into photoshop patterns for later. To do this simply open each image then go to EDIT >> DEFINE PATTERN in the menu. Alternatively, if you’ve downloaded the source files at the end of this post, simply install the included (.pat) pattern set by double clicking on it.)
![]() | Grungy Rusted Corrugated Metal Texture. |
![]() | Carbon Fiber Pattern. |
Step #2
Create a new transparent document 670px * 400px at 72dpi as seen below.

Step #3
To keep our psd file organized first click on the folder icon in the layer pallet 3 times to create three folders and name them FRAME, TEXT, and BACKGROUND respectively.

Step #4
Create a new layer within the FRAME folder and name it frame. Activate the shape tool by typeing U, make sure the rectangular shape tool is selected, then draw out a square similar to the one below, leaving a little room on the top and bottom.

Step #5
Activate the layer styles dialog box on your shape layer by double clicking on it or by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu. Then enter the settings below.

Step #6
Create a new layer above the frame layer by going to LAYER >> NEW >> LAYER in the menu, activate the text tool by typeing T, then type in your title using the settings below.

STEP #7
Within the BACKGROUND folder create a new pattern fill layer by going to LAYER >> NEW FILL LAYER >> PATTERN in the menu and choose the grungy corrugated metal texture you either installed or created in step #1 as seen below.

STEP #8
Open the layer styles dialog box by going to LAYER >> LAYER STYLE >> BLENDING OPTIONS in the menu and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #9
Above the grungy corrugated metal texture layer create a gradient fill layer by going to LAYER >> NEW FILL LAYER >> GRADIENT in the menu with the settings seen below.

STEP #10
Open the layer styles dialog box on the gradient layer you just created and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #11
Within the TEXT folder now activate the text tool by typeing T then open the character pallet and choose Arial Black at 310pt with a vertical stretch of 110% as seen below and then type in some text.

STEP #12
Duplicate the text layer you just created by going to LAYER >> DUPLICATE LAYER . Then activate the layer styles pallet on the top text layer and enter the settings you see below.

STEP #13
Open the layer styles dialog box on the botom text layer now and enter the settings you see below.




STEP #14
To create the shadow beneath the text create a new layer beneath the two text layers, activate the brush tool by typeing B and choose a basic round brush with the settings highlighted below. Then paint in a shadow at the base of each letter as seen below.

STEP #15
To clean up the shadow use the motion blur filter by going to FILTER >> BLUR >> MOTION BLUR in the menu and enter the settings below.

STEP #16
To finish up set the layer blend mode of the shadow layer to Multiply and the Opacity to 80% as seen below.

Thats it!
You should now have something that looks like the image below.

Didn’t get the exact same results? Want to save some time? Download the source files below.
What’s Included in the Download:
• Fully layered source PSD
• .ASL file containing the layer styles for the text effect layers
• .PAT file with both patterns needed for the tutorial – ready to install!
• .JPG files of the patterns used
BONUS: Layered PSD of the variation shown in the preview.





























ma2
28. Aug, 2009
dude you’re tutorials rock man!
peace
Pamela
28. Aug, 2009
Thanks!
Mike
29. Aug, 2009
you can never have too many tutorials no matter how simple or complex…your presentation is excellent.
Dylan
22. Sep, 2009
Great tutorial, Respect!
Priyanka Skehri
23. Sep, 2009
Good Imagination, Gr8 Creativity..
Mira
25. Sep, 2009
Really like the tutorial. Thanks!
Simon
10. Oct, 2009
Nice TUT! Thank you very much! I made a header for my friends blog
andrii
13. Oct, 2009
great kinda tut..
very helpful… gratefully thnx 
Pamela
15. Oct, 2009
Thanks much guys! Glad you like the tut!!
lili
17. Oct, 2009
hello…thanks
Sean
05. Nov, 2009
Seems like a great tut….but…step 11 confuses me. Why put a text layer in the frame in the beginning then use a different font in step 11 as well as being in the “text” folder? Another part that gets me is, nothing is said about typing any text in step 11 – this could be common sense but i’m just looking at all angles since i can’t figure it out. I’m using CS2. Any help would be greatly appreciated – Thanks!
Pamela
05. Nov, 2009
Yes, I can see why that’s confusing! We will add “Type in some text” to step 11.
The entire frame folder is actually an optional step that we reuse and add to the beginning of all our text effect tuts.
We include it because our Webtreats are packaged in these frames and we often get asked why we don’t explain how to do it.
Sean
05. Nov, 2009
I get it….I’ll rock the 99cent dwnld. Good lookin’ out. You have my support.
Pamela
05. Nov, 2009
Thank you!
mktanny
13. Nov, 2009
awesome,was searching for something like this since a week and finally i got it here
thnx
Pamela
20. Nov, 2009
You’re welcome!
Joe
21. Nov, 2009
Problem. I don’t have the pattern you used at the end of step 12. Where can I find that one?
nika
14. Jan, 2010
well neither i can’t find that pattern and see you found it, maybe you could send me the link or something??
thanks
Pamela
19. Jan, 2010
Go to “Edit > Preset Manager” in the menu, then select “Patterns” for the preset type. If you click on the little arrow to the right you will see a list of pattern sets – select “Artist Surfaces”.
nika
20. Jan, 2010
got it, thanks!
Joe
21. Nov, 2009
Nevermind, found it. Had to add it off the extras disc of the Creative Suite. Great tutorial, a very eye-catching effect.
Dravalley Support Community
14. Dec, 2009
nice design. it’s really good. could be use anywhere, in web development, wallpaper, sigs….haha..i’m loving it!
thanks.
Lita
14. Dec, 2009
Thank you. Glad you like our design!!!
deepak
02. Jan, 2010
very nice dear
thanx for the tutorial
Lita
03. Jan, 2010
You’re welcome!!!
sooraj
03. Jan, 2010
It Is Great i realy loved it thanks so much…. i wana say u some think… GOD BLESS U from my heart. thanks so much..
Lita
03. Jan, 2010
You’re welcome and thanks for your kind words!!!
пyпo
05. Jan, 2010
Супер! Со смартфона немного тяжело читается, но оно того стоит!
wy
07. Jan, 2010
哈哈··是个外国网站呀!效果做的不错!厉害!
Lita
15. Jan, 2010
We were only able to get a partial translation of your comments via Google, but it appears that you like our site. Thank you so much !!!
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02. Feb, 2010