Photoshop 7.0 Text Effects — Hub Page
The short version
Every text effect on this hub is built entirely from Photoshop 7.0's Layer Styles feature (the small f icon at the bottom of the Layers palette) and the type tool. No paid plugins, no Layer Styles "Smart" features from newer Photoshop versions — just the seven layer styles built into 7.0: Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Bevel and Emboss, Satin, Colour/Gradient/Pattern Overlay, and Stroke. Pick any tutorial below to start.
The Layer Styles Engine — Read This First
Every text effect on this page uses Photoshop 7.0's Layer Styles. Open them by double-clicking a text layer's row in the Layers palette (but not the name or thumbnail itself — click the empty space to the right of the layer name). A large dialog opens with the seven style categories listed down the left side. Tick the box beside each category to enable it; click the category name to access its settings.
The seven styles in 7.0 (newer Photoshop adds more):
- Drop Shadow — a shadow cast behind the text.
- Inner Shadow — a shadow inside the text (gives a recessed/engraved look).
- Outer Glow — a soft glow around the outside of the text.
- Inner Glow — a soft glow on the inside edges.
- Bevel and Emboss — 3D edges. The single most powerful style for fake-3D effects.
- Satin / Colour Overlay / Gradient Overlay / Pattern Overlay — fills the text with a colour, gradient, pattern, or satin sheen.
- Stroke — an outline.
Once you save a combination of styles, you can right-click the text layer in the Layers palette → Copy Layer Style, then right-click any other layer → Paste Layer Style. This is how a complete text effect becomes one-click reusable across an entire project.
Text-Effect Tutorials
3D Text Effect
Build real-looking 3D text using only layer styles + duplicate layers offset.
Neon Text
A glowing neon sign effect with outer glow, inner glow, and colour overlay.
Gold Text
Classic gold lettering with gradient overlay + bevel + stroke.
Chrome Text
Brushed-metal lettering using gradient overlay and satin.
Glow Effect
Soft luminous text — outer glow + duplicated layer.
Fire / Burning Text
Using Liquify and gradient overlay for flame effects.
Vintage / Retro Text
Faded, textured lettering for retro posters.
Outlined Text
Hollow lettering using the Stroke style.
Long Shadow
Flat-design long shadow using duplicated layers and gradient mask.
Gradient Text
Colour-blended text using the Gradient Overlay style.
What You Need Before You Start
- Photoshop 7.0.1 installed (install guide).
- A new blank document — Ctrl+N. We recommend 1920×1080 px at 72 dpi to follow along.
- A bold font installed. Most of these effects look terrible in thin or script fonts and excellent in heavy display fonts like Impact, Arial Black, or Bebas Neue.
Reusing Layer Styles Across Projects
Once you build a layer-style combination you like, save it as a preset:
- Open the layer-styles dialog on your styled text layer.
- Click New Style in the top right of the dialog.
- Name your style ("My Gold", "Neon Pink", etc.) and click OK.
- It now appears in the Styles palette (Window → Styles).
- To apply to a new text layer, select the layer and click your saved style in the Styles palette. One click, instant effect.
This is the secret to producing consistent text across an entire project (book chapter headings, YouTube thumbnail series, product label range): build the style once, click-apply everywhere.
Exporting Text Effects
If you want to export a text effect as a transparent PNG for use elsewhere (logo, YouTube thumbnail, social-media banner):
- Click the eye icon to hide the Background layer so transparency shows.
- File → Save for Web (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S).
- Choose PNG-24, tick Transparency.
- Save.