Create a Simple Logo with Overlapping Text Effects

This tutorial will walk you through how I created my new logo. It’s nothing fancy – just a group of fonts appearing to overlap each other – giving it that three dimensional effect. It’s fun and friendly – just how I want my brand to be. The best part about it is: it’s very easy to do. The image above is the final product. Are you ready to start? Here we go:

If you choose not to follow this tutorial, you are also free to download PSD file from this link. How cool is that!

Step 1: Set the groundwork

In Photoshop, create a new document, 800 pixels width x 340 pixels height. Add a new guide – 70 percent from the top border of the document:

Add a dark background (I chose #292929), add a text layer and type out your words. The text settings are: 100 pt in size, color #ffffff, and type is “Myriad Pro – Black Italic”. Note that if you don’t have the same font – use something a similar italic, block type font.

Now, delete all the letters in your text layer and duplicate the layer for each letter. What we’re trying to do is have a layer in its own layer like below. Nudge each letter so they’re quite close to each other:

Step 2: Create the Text Effects

Now we’re ready to create the text effects. Double click the first letter and apply the following effects:

Drop Shadow:

Inner Shadow

Gradient Overlay


Add the following colors for the gradient (to do this click the gradient box from above). Move the color handles in the bottom bar to the position indicated. Leave the colors at #000000 and #ffffff.
gradient-overlay-handles

Step 3: Copy and Paste the Layer Styles

Right click the first letter layer, select “Copy Layer Style

Go to the next letter layer, right click and select “Paste Layer Style

Continue doing this process to all the layers.

Step 4: Final Touches

Adjust your letter positioning according to your text content. The point is to just have enough spacing for subtle shadows to appear onto the next letter. I also decided to change the font color to the word “flyer” to #d30000 to match my color schema – choose your own color for yours.
Finally, create a new layer just above the background layer. Using the brush tool with these presets: (choose a really soft tip, adjust to 300 pt, with color #ffffff, opacity level to 24 percent). With just one click – daub right in the center of the document to give it that really soft glow in the background.

Conclusion

There you have it, a simple yet beautiful logo from nothing more than layers of text subtly overlapping each other. Play with the effects to your heart’s desire. You can even adjust the vertical positioning of each letter – just to add a bit more kick. Feel free to Download the PSD file.

16 Comments

  1. Your creativity is really fantastic. Thanks for sharing this very useful tip! One cup of coffee coming your way man. Outstanding stuff…

    Reply
  2. I am starting to learn Photoshop because it is of essence especially in maintaining a website. Banners and headers are a headache if you do not know PS and it’s wasting so much job opportunities.

    Reply
  3. Thanks for giving away the secrets and sharing your valuable knowledge. I would love to follow a new logo design tut in illustrator. A video would be great. What you say ?
    The first thing I noticed in your website is your logo. Your logo is simple but cathes eyes and easy to remember too.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Wordpress Rehberi Cancel reply