How to Create a Static Text Effect in Photoshop

I’ve got another cool Photoshop text effect for you today. This one is ultra simple and it shouldn’t take much time at all. All you need to do is write out some text with a text tool in Photoshop and then apply a layer style to it. I’ll show you how to do that below.

First, I’ll open a file and write some text. I’ll use the word “STATIC” for this demonstration. By the way, for best results, this technique is perfect for white text on a black background.

Okay, from here, I’ll head down to the bottom of the Layers panel and click on the Fx button and then click on the Inner Glow option.

After I do that, the Layer Style palette will appear. Inside this palette, I’ll change a few different settings. Before I do that though, I’ll go into the Blending Options area in the same palette (left side menu) and I’ll push the Fill Opacity slider all the way to the left. Then, I’ll return to the Inner Glow area by clicking on that option in the left menu. At this point, I should see only a slight glow inside of the text. I’ve removed the color of the text and only the layer style remains.

Next, I’ll change the following settings:

Source: Center
Blending Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Noise: 100%
Size: 0px

This is what the Layer Style Palette looks like now.

And this is what the effect looks like on the text.

Now that’s fine if I wanted a simple static text effect. If I wanted something that’s more realistic looking, I could soften the edges of the text. To do that, I’ll need to add a mask. I’ll hold down my Ctrl (Command on Mac) button and click once on the type layer thumbnail in the Layers panel. Doing this will select the text. After that, I’ll click the Add Layer Mask button that’s located at the bottom of the Layers panel. This will add the mask. From there, I’ll double-click on the new mask thumbnail, which will open up the Properties panel for the mask. I’ll then push the Feather slider to the right until I see the soft edges I’m after.

This is the final result. Not bad, right?

Let me know if you have any questions.