Layer Styles in Photoshop
Effects can be added to individual layers in Photoshop that automatically change as a layer is modified. The combination of effects on any given layer is called its Layer Style. We’ll teach you how to use and make your own layer styles in this tutorial.
What are Layer Styles?
Note: If you’re trying to find out how to install layer styles, please see our tutorial on Installing Layer Styles in Photoshop.
Layer styles are special effects that can be quickly and easily applied to individual layers in Photoshop to drastically change the appearance of something in very little time. They can be preset, customized, or even saved and used for later.
One of the useful properties of Layer Styles are there relationship to the layer contents. Since the style is actually a separate entity that is just linked to the layer, it will continually update itself as a layers contents are edited or moved. Furthermore, the effects can easily be adjusted after applying them, making them non-destructive in nature.
Some shapes and text with and without layer styles applied.
Using Layer Style Presets
Photoshop comes packed with a good number of Layer Style Presets, all which are accessible through the Styles Palette (Window > Styles). To apply a Layer Style, select the Layer you’d like to work with in your document from the Layers Palette, and then select the Layer Style which you would like to apply.
A Text Layer Before and After a Layer Style Preset is applied to it.
After applying a Layer Style, the effects in the layer can be seen, adjusted, disabled or reenabled from the Layers Palette. Layers with effects applied to them will have a small round icon with an ‘f‘ in it. To expand or collapse the effects applied to a layer, click the arrow to the right of this icon.
When a layers effects have been expanded, you can quickly disable specific effects within the layer style by clicking the eye icon next to the effect. Just like a layer, these effects can become visible again by clicking the blank area (where the eye would reside) when an effect is disabled.
Making Quick Changes
You can make quick changes to a layers style by double clicking the ‘f‘ icon to pull up the Layer Style Options. From here, you can completely customize your layers style.
Creating your own Effects and Styles
To add your own layer effects, and create your own styles, go to Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options, or Right Click your Layer, and select Blending Options. This will bring up the Layer Style Options.
B. Effects – The various effects that can be used in a layer style. It’s important to note that by clicking on the name of any of the effects will enable that effect, and display the options for the individual effect.
C. Options / Settings – When the name for an effect is checked, it’s options will be shown here. When Blending Options is selected, settings such as Opacity, Fill, and other advanced options will be displayed.
D. Layer Style Preview – A preview of the Layer Style.
Effects (B) can be enabled by checking them, and likewise, disabled by unchecking them. To edit an effect, you need to click the name (rather than checkbox). The effects settings will be displayed in the Options area (C), where they can be easily adjusted. To apply a set of effects and options, simply press OK.
Layer Effects
Styles can be built with the following effects:
- Drop Shadow – Creates a shadow behind the layers contents.
- Inner Shadow – Creates a shadow on top of the layers contents.
- Outer Glow - Creates a glow behind the layers contents. Cannot be distanced like the drop shadow.
- Inner Glow – Creates a glow on top of the layers contents. Again, cannot be distanced like the inner shadow.
- Bevel and Emboss - Used to create unique highlight and shadow effects on a layers contents.
- Satin - Gives the layer contents a satin-like, glossy appearance.
- Color Overlay - Fills the layer contents with a solid color.
- Gradient Overlay - Fills the layer contents with a gradient.
- Pattern Overlay - Fills the layer contents with a pattern.
- Stroke - Creates an outline on layer contents using a solid color, gradient, or pattern.
Give it a Try!
Let’s try it out to make sure we’ve got a clear understanding of all this. We’re going to test our abilities by creating a basic layer style for some text. Go ahead and create a new document in Photoshop, and use the Type Tool to add some large, black text.
Right Click the text layer, and Select Blending Options.
First we’re going to add a Drop Shadow. Check the Drow Shadow Effect, and click on it to bring up it’s options. Set things up as shown in the diagram below:
As you’re making adjustments, you should be able to see changes being made in your actual document. Keeping an eye on your document while adding effects will allow you to better determine how to adjust settings.
You should be familiar with most of these sliders and types of settings from our Palettes Tutorial you may have read. The Angle setting may be a new one to you, but it’s very simple to work. You can either enter in a numeric value, or adjust the angle with your mouse by clicking on the wheel. Doing so will change the angle of your shadow.
Now let’s add a Bevel and Emboss. We’re going to create a bevel that is subtle, so that it doesn’t draw too much attention, but at the same time pops our text a bit. Again, mimic the settings shown in the diagram shown below.
Nothing really new here. You may want to experiment as I suggested earlier to have a better understanding of the different settings here, but most of them are pretty self-explanatory.
Now let’s add a Gradient Overlay.
By default, the Gradient Overlay will probably use a Foreground to Background gradient, which is not exactly what we are looking for (unless we’ve setup the Foreground and Background Colors in Photoshop specifically for this step). That’s OK though, because we can easily adjust the gradient from here.
Click on the gradient shown in the Gradient Picker (Black fading to White in the above diagram). This will bring up the Gradient Editor. From the Gradient Editor, you may choose a gradient preset, or create a new custom gradient of your own. Towards the bottom of the editor is the current gradient, with Opacity Stops (Determine how opaque the gradient is at a specific point) and Color Stops (Determine what colors are used in the Gradient). We can add, delete, and modify stops by clicking anywhere above or below the gradient, or by clicking on the stops themselves.
We only want to modify the current color stops. Double Click the first color stop, and apply the color #50a2e7, and then apply the color #75cefc to the right most stop. Click OK to Apply the Gradient.
Click OK to apply the layer style you’ve created.
Congratulations! You’re now skilled in the art of layer effects and styles!
96 Comments
Cool! Love this tutorial. Easy to follow instructions.
Flag as inappropriateYou are a great teacher. method of explaining the layer effect is really help full for beginners. thanks for it
Flag as inappropriatevery nice tutorial for beginers
Flag as inappropriatethanks for tutorials
Flag as inappropriateVery gud tutorial.. It was gr8 help as I am new to Photshop
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Flag as inappropriatefor all tutorial in this web
How to find the effects which were applied for a particular shape or layer from a psd file
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Flag as inappropriateJust a quick thank you for your great tutorial!
Flag as inappropriateI have a much simple and easier understanding of blending options now. Thanks
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Flag as inappropriateThank you for this Tutorial. I was wondering if it is possible to make a style that is an old newspaper?
Flag as inappropriateDiana
Very informative… thank you..
Flag as inappropriateI love this! I have been digital scrapbooking but I could never find a simple explanation of styles so I have been changing colors by other means. My question tho is this used mostly for text or can you use it else where? (lol newbie when it comes to all the gadgets in Photoshop yet)
Flag as inappropriateWonderful article thanks for sharing.
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Flag as inappropriateDavid Leggett
really really I benefited a lot from your amazing and perfect work. Always i refer to your work to learn from them and to teach my students .
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:)
Flag as inappropriateCame across some really nice Chrome styles if anyone’s interested.
http://graphicriver.net/item/vintage-chrome-styles/85307?ref=DavidTribby
Flag as inappropriateThanks for your post , Great post.22
Flag as inappropriateGreat article.Thank you.
Flag as inappropriateI have started learning photoshop for a little time. Your tutorials are very helpful for me. I wonder that how many grades in total? I’m looking forward to them~
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Flag as inappropriateFirst of all thanks for the informative and wonderful tutorials. When will get to graduate from grade 9? When is grade 10 coming???
Thanks
Flag as inappropriatethanks for providing so great tutorial having so information for new intrested people but one thing that is very important that how to creat our own style for photoshop
Flag as inappropriatethanks for tutorial.. very useful!!!
Flag as inappropriateI love the School of Photoshop but Oh man, I’m still waiting for more classes. ;)
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-Bryan G.
Flag as inappropriateheyyyyy this was an awesome tutorial thanks dave
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Flag as inappropriatethanks this was a bundle of help! =)))))))
Flag as inappropriateVery nice tutorial. But I have a question: What kind of font is it that you used in the word Tutorial? Please write back to me and give me an answer. Is is very important.
Flag as inappropriateThank you, Judith
Nice job on the tutorials. Extremely easy to understand and without useless fluff and jargon. Each one is a gem for any beginner I,m looking forward to more. Thanks much!
Flag as inappropriateMan, i really like this site…i´m learning photoshop, and really like this.
Flag as inappropriateHello – I’m new to Photoshop and have to admit that I don’t entirely understand the difference between filters and layers styles. Could you help?
Flag as inappropriateBtw – thanks for such a great tutorial!
well,
Flag as inappropriatefilter you can apply to layers too but,
layer style you can modify as you want at any time
and can be use in different layers.
Us n00bs really need more grades XD
Flag as inappropriateGreat guide my friend, very informative
Flag as inappropriateNice tutorial!!
Your first sentence: “Effects can be added to individual layers in Photoshop” – How do you do this??
I’ve done it before but now i forgets! ):
Thanks
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I just finished all the lessons in your School of Photoshop series (can’t wait for grades 10-12), and can’t thank you enough! I’ve just starting learning Photoshop on my own, and looked everywhere (seriously) on the web for some good beginner tutorials. I was so excited when I came across your site. You made all the tutorials so complete, comprehensive, & easy to follow. I felt like I was actually taking a class in school! I can’t wait to go on to some of your more advanced tutorials and see where my 9th grade education can take me :) Thank you again for such an amazing site!!!
Flag as inappropriateThanks again David, I really enjoy your lessons.
Flag as inappropriatei cant thank you enough for these priceless tutorials.. the best part about it is its simplicity.. make me wonder how i could miss such simple things.. i’ve been tryin to figure it out for a year now.. n thanx to u i’ve resolved all my doubts in less than a day.. wat seperates a great teacher from a good one is his ability to hit the nail on its head.. n u’ve hammered all of mine in place.. n the fact that u expect nothin in return, jus a few words perhaps, make u nothin less than a martyr in my eyes.. keep up the great work.. kudos n cheers..
Flag as inappropriateFantastic work!
I came here to help me fix a few photo’s to use in a book as a gift to my old man. Mostly pictures of his kit car which I wanted to blur the background of and remove imperfections etc.
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Many Thanks for your work.
Flag as inappropriateI am an experienced photoshop user and i should say that your tutorials is so far the most comprehensive and easy to follow guide in the net. In fact I am making this as a reference for my students…Thanks and keep up the good work!!!
Flag as inappropriateNo problem Felix! I love hearing things like that, cause it means we’re doing something right!
Flag as inappropriateI have to say that it is the most descriptive tutorial for basic Photoshop users I have come across thus far. Thank you for the info.
Flag as inappropriateHow can you curve the text?
Thank You
Flag as inappropriateWorks a treat, thanks mate :)
Flag as inappropriateChe, de 10 Gracias che.. Very Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)
Flag as inappropriateVery helpful. I had used the gradient tool with text before, but definitely in a hit and miss fashion. It’s good to have some structure and understanding of how colour and gradient stops actually work.
Thanks David.
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Flag as inappropriateNicw to know what your skills are dude lol – love’m.. all the kiddo’s who just can’t resist to convince how good they are – on a noob page LOL
Flag as inappropriateNice intro to the Layer Styles. Your tutorial was added to t2t :)
Flag as inappropriateIm so happy for youu mann[: lOl
Flag as inappropriateso whats new juju?
Flag as inappropriate