In web graphics and normal art work text can be very important for the finishing touches. It can either improve the overall quality of the site/graphic or completely ruin it. So here’s a small tutorial on creating some sleek and glossy web 2.0 style text.

First Step - Creating a text layer
First let’s create your document size and create a layer for the first text layer. Here I’ve used Trebuchet MS and I’ve made the text bold as well as italic(It’s also black if you’re color blind).

Second Step - Styling the text layer
Next we are going to apply some styling to the text, so now change the font color to something like a dark red. Next think we need to do is select the layers blending options. Do do this right click on the layer and go down the list until you find ‘Blending Options’ and click. Proceed down the blending options using these settings given below;

Drop Shadow: Click here
Gradient Overlay: Click here
Text Stroke: Click here

Third Step - Finishing it off
There’s a step here you probably wouldn’t of noticed, but duplicate the text layer and remove it below the first one. Now on the duplicated layer remove all it’s blending options and then change the color of this text to black. Then with the new text layer selected tap down and right on your keyboard arrow keys, this will move the text 1px down and to the right creating a very slight 3d effect.

Forth Step - Who stole the forth step!?
After applying these settings your text should be appearing something like the above. That’s it! You now know the very basics of creating and styling some text. Check back for more advanced text tutorials as well as others.