4-Minute Photoshop Pro Tips | Distressed Text Edges

For everything from a subtle worn-in effect to a heavily distressed text look, this quick and easy approach makes a great jumping off point. Step by step instructions and free textures linked below!
FREE TEXTURES USED IN THIS TUTORIAL:
texturelabs.org/tutorials/dis...
HUGE LIBRARY OF FREE TEXTURES:
texturelabs.org
FONT USED IN THIS TUTORIAL:
fonts.adobe.com/fonts/ltc-cas...
CONNECT:
Instagram - / texturelabs
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
Starting point: Live type layers and paper texture background (linked above).
1- Cmd/Ctrl click on the layer icon of a text layer to make a selection in the shape of the text.
2- Shift Cmd/Ctrl click on the layer icon of any additional text layers to add to the selection.
3- Turn off visibility of live text layers.
4- With the selection still active, create a new Solid Color layer (found in the fill and adjustment layers menu at the bottom of the layers palette). Set the solid color to black.
5- Making sure the mask of the solid layer is selected, use Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize set to 5px.
6- Right click on the mask and use Select and Mask.
7- In the global refinements section, turn Smooth up to about 40 and Contrast up to about 50. For any strange artifacts, try turning Feather up very slightly. Press OK.
8- Change the blending mode of the Solid layer to Color Burn.
9- Double click on the Solid Layer's icon to change the color (color used in this tutorial is R87 G107 B111).
10- With the mask of the Solid Layer still selected, use Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize set to 20px.
11- Immediately after applying Crystalize, use Cmd/Ctrl Shift F to fade the filter.
12- Set the fade opacity to 60% with blending mode set to Screen.
13- Apply Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize again, set to 60px.
14- Use Cmd/Ctrl Shift F to fade the filter, with the opacity at 15% and the blending mode set to screen.
15- Apply Filter→Pixelate→Crystalize one last time, set to 5px.

[@Melancholic_Static]

If anyone reading this is having trouble with the crystallize filter seemingly not working, here is what fixed it for me (and it's stupidly simple) on the Colour Fill layer, it seems the colour (on the left of the layer) is selected by default, but you have to click on the actual Layer Mask (right) and then try it and it should work.

[@raffayen]

thank you!

[@starman1294]

How do I do this on the web app?

[@nickelart123]

you saved my life! Forgot about that!

[@cxbx09]

Also check if the image is in 8bits😅

[@agis7172]

Best tutorials I've seen in my 12 years on YT experience!

[@Texturelabs]

That's awesome, thank you for the kind words!

[@NickPritchett]

Dude, no joke! I've tried many times to find tutorials on how to make text look more vintage/raw/distressed/etc and this is the first one I've found that I think is relevant and high quality. Well done!

[@IanJones942]

Your enthusiasm for the crystallize filter is contagious! I love it!

[@GreenNoize]

I searched a lot for a tutorial about ink edges and wet page effect and this gave me the best results by far. Just used it for the objects of a videogame I'm working on! Gold! Thanks!

[@klam_art]

Your tutorials are both time saving and mind blowing. Crazy amount of photoshop knowledge!

[@rholdorf]

Highest quality tutorials ever. Truly pro techniques. Thank you!

[@Texturelabs]

That's very kind, thank you!

[@nateoski3635]

Thanks again Brady for creating accessible tutorials that are bite sized and digestible. Now, I understand the importance of using shift+F5 or fade after you applied the crystal filter or any other filter. Obviously, there are many ways to get a similar affect. This is quick and easy. Thank-you for the great content.

[@Flysonfame]

Such a simple yet infinitely useful technique. I already can imagine so many ways to play of this concept utilizing many other filter settings. Thank You.

[@Texturelabs]

Nice, ya that's 100% the idea!

[@markgeller1278]

One of the best channels with PS tutorials!!!

[@Texturelabs]

That's cool to hear, thank you!!

[@marshallhartlen1596]

The possibilities are literally endless, thank you so much!

[@iamYork_]

Ive only recently discovered you and so many little techniques here and there in your workflow are so exceptional... Keep up the great work!!!

[@darioassis9158]

This was so quick AND SIMPLE yet the result is JUST SO GOOD

[@DaftRebel]

This channel is about to blow up!

[@LeoFOntRaudal]

I am soooooo happy I found you on my KZbin suggested videos. So many good tutorials with so many free tools...Thanks so much for your time to teach and share your knowledge

[@misjavanlaatum]

Wow. I've been using PS for years and years, but neither that fade nor the "select and mask" options I've ever used. Great tutorial!

[@johnsmcqueen9395]

Loving your tutorials! So helpful and easy to follow!

[@Texturelabs]

Glad to hear that, thanks for the post!

[@Garstor]

This was awesome! Thank you for the big reminder that filters can be used on masks. It is easy to forget that sometimes and you miss out on spectacular effects like this.

[@AWilhelmScream8]

INSANE 🤯you're killing it, man!

[@CraigHoward]

I am so glad I found you, I can not tell you how valuable this kind of stuff is for people who create paper replicas / props / faux documents for screen or collection! This is gold dust!! 😍 immediate sub

[@triptee3449]

i'm going crazy how does people even figure this things out? best channel ever

[@GierlangBhaktiPutra]

Concise and practical tips. Really helpful!

[@TheBanjopreacher]

One of my new favorite channels.

[@user-bi5le4ew5r]

this was so cool, absolutely loved it!! thank you so much for your tutorials!

[@jessemkahn]

what an amazing use of a previously seemingly pointless filter!!!

[@MegPorterArt]

I learned like 5 things in one video, this was AMAZING!! It may be three years old but this is incredibly helpful, thank you so much!

[@Thomas-Hodapp]

So simple and yet so effective!😀

[@veguitarian_lifestyle]

Really amazing. This is exactly what I was looking for. Keep up the good work.

[@j.morgenstern1985]

your videos are gold man!

[@johnleighdesigns]

Brilliant approach very nice and natural looking thanks for sharing!

[@thebennetts1407]

great work, so helpful

[@LouiseAthena]

amazing tutorial !

[@judithangerman]

Great video!!! Thank you!

[@0xc0ffee_]

Super easy and quick technique, congrats!

[@thisisgrvty724]

Awesome Turoials. Easy to understand and detailed af 😁🙏

[@zecaeluf]

Awesome tutorials 👌 Thanks!

[@n.alawar8797]

Best 4 Min. Tip!!

[@momoo459]

Love ur tutorials, so clear so easy to follow 🌈🦋 thank youu

[@Texturelabs]

Absolutely!

[@Anakianaj]

I am so so glad YT put one of your videos into my recommended * - * No more boring writing \o/ Thank you so much for all those tutorials and I am very much looking forward to more of them

[@alexeynovozhylov2120]

Amazing stuff, thank you!

[@knowdiff]

Brady, you are amazing, Amazing, AMAZING! Thank you for making impossible possible for me.

[@cest.cincin]

So helpful and practical, thanks a lot!

[@TheQuestionTheAnswer]

Thank you so much for this! I actually took a bit of a left turn and used the Dissolve instead when fading the Crystallise filter, and it was pretty much perfect for what I was looking to do.

[@Texturelabs]

Ah that's great... Best case scenario for me is if someone can take a technique like this and adapt it into something completely different for their work!

[@maycortes2185]

This is AMAZING

[@srdj]

Thanks a million!

[@thiagoborges2497]

Very, very cool! Thanks for sharing it, dude!

[@locateemilio3230]

this channel should have a 7 figure subscriber count. great stuff

[@lucasbartucci5997]

AMAZIIIING

[@Texturelabs]

Cheers thanks Lucas!

[@Red_Rebel]

Amazing amazing amazing!!

[@vycebloom7989]

that was insane THANK YOU

[@joyusachoobarb]

this was such a sick tutorial thank you

[@mira-graphics]

You are just AWESOME sir.

[@jaywalker.]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@iamtommyok]

Really excellent use of the tools here! Great technique and I can't wait to use this in my workflow immediatly

[@Texturelabs]

Very cool, glad to hear that!

[@jrod291]

How am I just finding your channel????? Amazing

[@lmy222]

great tutorial!!

[@michaelmccrory2220]

Thank you Brady, lovely and effective technique. I try your tips using my old Photoshop CS5 and they are still doable. 👍

[@simoharjane7823]

Love this ! you got me into textures now :)

[@manthansuthar2677]

Thank you sir ❤

[@hadiaslam7801]

This is really helpful, thank you

[@joewertonamaro]

This is great, thank you!

[@rushi_artworks]

Really Cool and simple. Thanks

[@cl4h]

THE BEST OF THE BEST

[@Sanguivore]

This is fantastic! Thank you so much! :D

[@DonnyJ]

Incredible. Really helpful bro!

[@Texturelabs]

Awesome glad to hear that!

[@jibberish666]

Brilliant - thanks so much

[@michelledunn6712]

Very good tutorial. Thank you.

[@AlishaTodd]

soooooo good, thank you!

[@szusi79]

Love it. Thanks.

[@Texturelabs]

For sure!

[@alphacomputersolutions2314]

Exactly what i was looking for

[@damianhiggins5014]

so helpful! thank you

[@Texturelabs]

Right on, no problem!

[@kushalbhola2339]

Amazing!

[@MTajvidi]

Awesome, thanks for the tutorial

[@Texturelabs]

Right on no prob!

[@user-sw6ft2ns7d]

You are the BEST!!!!! I am happy - i have found you

[@parayt3230]

Thank you very much, it helpmed me a lot

[@TheAmminne1]

wooow!!! the best thank you

[@vexphoto]

You’re a boss! Thank you!

[@billpholde4816]

Brilliant tutorial. Really looks bleedy. SUBSCRIBED!

[@user-tb6ch1qq5b]

Man this video is amazing. This channel is amazing. Looking forward to absorb everything you teach soon. Catchya later!😀😄

[@LEVIN_19]

I am verry happy becouse of your videos into my recomended . Thanku 😊😊🤩🤩🤩

[@rishaf2990]

I really love these kind of tutorial❤️❤️❤️ your so amazing 👍👍👍👍 I never seen before like this channel 💥💥🤘🤘👍great

[@bilalpatel421]

Thanks

[@westsidestudioimages]

really nice tutorial. I am going to use it with a font like Courier to simulate an old typewritten letter.

[@user-zr4uv9yr3c]

Duuuude, thank you very much for this video!

[@cindyfuller8556]

Thank you so much.

[@Granada263]

so cool

[@felilamenca8170]

wow! thanks

[@jessiemartin8967]

Using Windows: Followed your steps exactly, when I went to apply the filter, it came up with a pop up saying I need to “rasterize” or “convert to smart object” to continue. I tried both options, deciding to go with smart object. Once I applied the filter, at 5pixels, nothing happened… help!!!

[@racerschin]

*better on a smart object for live fonts.* copy smart object 3 times and apply the crystalize(s), you can then control it all independently. add some blending options for that aged look. instead of the select and mask, prefer blur and levels/sharpen afterwards. live templates are 90% of the times better.

[@AA-hg7xq]

I don't get this to work. Clearer steps please. Thank you.

[@biayjamnik6395]

thanks, im now in school game jam and this video helped ma a lot with my horror game!

[@zlostnypopolnik]

THANX!

[@MarkFonts]

amazing

[@gaybowserballer]

LOOKS REAL THANKS A BUNCH

[@miazmustaqim4553]

Thank you for this! Super cool video! A+++

[@clownb123]

Wao, this technique is so cool, Thanks!!

[@Texturelabs]

Cool, my pleasure!

[@ron.cortez]

Thank You very nice tips. :)

[@ahmadm.a3878]

Very cool

[@paulhyde7126]

super!

[@guru_lakhima]

You definitely deserve more subscribers than you have

[@mdminhajulislamshanto7278]

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnn brooooo .. U just fire mann🔥🔥😍

[@winarts4039]

This is so useful even I use a shapes.