Tips and Tricks: Text Effects – Metallics

Text effects are something that should be used with care, particularly ones that simulate metals (metallic). When the effect is done right, it looks good, even though GCU doesn’t print with metallic inks. Done wrong, the card looks cheap and unprofessional.

Be very careful when using text effects like “metallic” – a little goes a long way. You want to gild the lily, so to speak, not drown it in fool’s gold and bling. Always keep in mind that just because it looks good on a computer monitor, that doesn’t mean it will print well. Overused or badly created effects will probably end in a card’s decline.

Here’s an example of a greeting card done right (by Doreen Erhardt) – the gold is used for accent, it’s not too in-your-face, and the card will print like a dream:

Achieving that subtlety is your goal.

You must take a low key approach. If the effect is “too” shiny, you’re doing it wrong. You want it to look realistic.

It’s not easy, and you’ll need to familiarize yourself with your chosen graphics editing program. You’ll likely spend a lot of time on trial and error, but if you keep at it and keep learning, you’ll no doubt hit a winner. Here are a few tutorials to start you off on your journey toward achieving a beautiful metallic effect in your designs.

Good luck!

PHOTOSHOP – Quick Gold by PSD Tuts

PHOTOSHOP – How To Create a Copper Photoshop Text Effect by PSD Tuts

PHOTOSHOP – A Nice Silver Text Effect by Photoshop Lady

PHOTOSHOP – 15 Free Photoshop Gold Styles by ISPSD.com

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS – How to Write Text in Gold by Vaishali

PAINT SHOP PRO – Gold Text PSP Tutorial by Hypergurl

PAINT SHOP PRO – Creating Gold Text by Kanded Kreationz

PAINT SHOP PRO – Silver Text Effect by Sumrallworks.com

GIMP – Make Awesome Gold, Silver, Brass or Copper Text by All Things Gimp