Neon Text Effect in Photoshop 7.0

By the Photoshop 7.0 Hub editorial team · Updated May 17, 2026 · 8-minute read

Setup

1. New document, 1920×1080 px, 72 dpi.
2. Fill the Background with a near-black colour — try #0a0a14 (a slight blue tint reads better than pure black).
3. Optional: paste a brick or concrete texture above the background and lower its opacity to 40% for a real-wall feel.

Step 1: Type Your Text

1. Press T for the Type tool.
2. Pick a script or rounded display font — neon looks most authentic in flowing, single-stroke shapes. Try Pacifico, Lobster, Permanent Marker, or any handwriting-style font.
3. Size around 180 pt.
4. Colour: a slightly off-white tone — #f0f0ff or #fff8ee. Pure white blows out the glow effect.
5. Type a short word: OPEN, NEON, CAFÉ.
6. Ctrl+Enter to commit.

Step 2: Add Layer Styles

Double-click the text layer (in empty space beside the layer name) to open Layer Styles.

Stroke (the glass tube)

• Size: 3 px
• Position: Outside
• Fill Type: Color
• Colour: choose your neon — vibrant pink #ff36b6, electric blue #00d4ff, warm orange #ff7a00, or classic neon green #39ff14.
• Opacity: 100%

Inner Glow (interior brightness)

• Blend Mode: Screen
• Opacity: 80%
• Colour: the same neon colour as the Stroke, but slightly lighter (mix in 30% white).
• Source: Edge
• Choke: 0%
• Size: 10 px

Outer Glow (the wall glow)

• Blend Mode: Screen
• Opacity: 70%
• Colour: your neon colour (matching the Stroke).
• Technique: Softer
• Spread: 5%
• Size: 60 px (this is the big visible glow — go larger for more dramatic effect)

Click OK. The text now reads as a glowing neon tube on a dark wall.

Step 3: Add Multiple Glow Layers (Optional but Worth It)

Real neon glows are layered — there is the immediate halo right next to the tube, the medium halo on the wall, and the very wide soft halo that fills the room. To replicate this:

1. Right-click the styled text layer in the Layers palette → Copy Layer Style.
2. Duplicate the text layer (Ctrl+J).
3. Right-click the duplicate → Clear Layer Style.
4. Add only an Outer Glow on this duplicate. Size: 150 px. Opacity: 40%. Same colour.
5. Move this duplicate below the original styled text layer in the stacking order. Result: a much wider second halo.

Step 4: Add Flicker / Burnout Variations

For a vintage neon look where one letter has burnt out or is fading:

1. Select one letter on the original text layer (use the Type tool, double-click the letter to edit).
2. Change its colour to a duller version — for pink neon use #aa2a82 instead of #ff36b6.
3. Or duplicate the styled text layer, mask out everything except one letter, and lower its opacity to 30%.

Step 5: Add a Subtle Floor Reflection

1. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E to stamp visible.
2. Ctrl+J to duplicate.
3. Edit → Transform → Flip Vertical. Move below the original.
4. Opacity 20%, blending mode Screen.
5. Add a layer mask, draw a vertical black-to-white gradient to fade the reflection out toward the bottom.

Save and Export

1. Ctrl+Shift+S — save as PSD to keep all layers.
2. For social media or web, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S (Save for Web) → JPEG at quality 80, or PNG-24 with transparency if you need the neon over another background.

Colour Recipes

FAQ