Masking Tape Text Effect in Photoshop

For this Tutorial, we are using a background image, and Camelone Font from FontBundles.

1 - In Photoshop, open the image you chose as background.

2 - Select the “Type Tool” (T), choose your font, make it about 300 points in size and fill it with a light yellow (we used #ede5a4).

3 - Duplicate your text layer (Command/Control + J), hide the original layer by clicking on the small eye icon to the left of the thumbnail. Right-click on the duplicate and “Rasterize Type”.

4 - Right-click on your duplicate text layer and choose “Create Work Path” from the menu.

5 - Select the “Eraser Tool” (E), open the “Brush Panel” and use the following values:

Brush Tip Shape:

Shape Dynamics:

6 - Use the “Direct Selection Tool” (A) to right-click on your “Work Path”, choose “Stroke Path” from the menu and then, choose “Eraser” from the dialog. Click OK. Then, click Enter/Return to get rid of the path.

7 - Change the “Blending Mode” of the layer to “Multiply” and lower the “Opacity” to 90%. (If your background image is dark you may need to use a different “Blending Mode” and/or “Opacity”).

8 - Double-click on your text layer to apply the following “Layer Styles”:

Inner Glow:

Drop Shadow:

9 - Select the “Eraser Tool” (E), increase the size to 20 points, and erase the letters to mimic torn ends.

10 - Duplicate and merge your visible layers by selecting them and pressing Shift + Command/Control + Option/Alt + E, name the layer “Tape”. Hide the original layers.

11 - Make your layer a “Smart Object”, then Go to Filter > Render > Lighting Effects. Choose “Spot Light” and tweak with the settings to set effect to your liking.

12 - If you want to change the filter. Double-click on the filter thumbnail and change the values. And double-click on the little icon to the right of the “Lighting Effect” to change “Filter Blending Options” and lower the “Opacity” to 50%.

13 - Check your text.

by @lornacane