How to Create a Neon Sign in Photoshop: Mastering Neon Text Styles

When it comes to creating eye-catching designs, few techniques can rival the allure of neon text styles. In this tutorial, we'll explore how to achieve this mesmerizing effect using Adobe Photoshop's powerful tools and features.

The first step is to open your image and create a new layer for your text. I used the font 'Neon' by Fenotype, which is free to download and use. The font comes in various styles and sizes, so feel free to experiment until you find the one that suits your design best.

Once you've selected your font, use the Text tool to type out your desired text. In my case, I chose the words 'neon sign' because of its unique vignette effect, which helps draw focus to the center of the image.

To create a neon sign, we'll be using Photoshop's Layer Style Effects window. You can find this feature under Layer > Layer Style. This window offers a range of tools and effects that allow you to customize your text in various ways.

One essential step is to use the 'outer glow' effect to create the light emanating from the letters. To achieve this, navigate to the Layer Style Effects window and click on the 'Outer Glow' tab. In this example, I didn't adjust any controls in the quality section.

To diffuse the light inside the glass part of our letters, we'll use the 'inner glow' effect. Select the 'Inner Glow' tab and adjust the settings according to your desired outcome. You can experiment with different settings until you achieve the perfect highlight on the main body of the font.

Next, we'll use the stroke option to produce the effect of the letters having been made out of glass tubing. In this example, I used the 'Cone Inverted' preset from the drop-down list. There are several preset contours available, or you can create your own custom contour by drawing it in.

The Contour control gives a deeper roundness and smoother finish to our text. If there's too much depth, it might create distracting shadows and highlights around your text. Conversely, if there isn't enough depth, your text will appear flat.

To make our text look round as if made of tubes, we'll use the 'Bevel & Emboss' effect. Select this option from the left-hand panel, and then choose a color that fits your desired neon style. Blues and greens work particularly well as neon colors, but you can choose any color that suits your personality.

Once you've chosen your color, keep the window open because we'll use several more functions while we're here. To add an extra layer of customization, I used the 'Color Overlay' option to colour my font in the Layer Style Effects window. This allows me to make adjustments without having to close the window and re-select the text.

To finish off our design, I chose a white color for the text to make it stand out from the brickwork background. You can adjust the font size, color, and other settings to your liking by using the controls at the top of the canvas.

In conclusion, creating a neon sign in Photoshop is a relatively straightforward process that requires patience and practice. By following these steps and experimenting with different effects and settings, you'll be able to achieve a stunning neon text style that will elevate your designs to new heights.

Photoshop neon text styles