How to Create a Cartoon 3D Text Effect in Photoshop

Want to add a playful yet professional touch to your designs? The Cartoon 3D Text Effect is a fantastic way to make your headlines and logos pop with vibrant colors and dynamic depth.

Whether you're working on social media graphics, game titles, or eye-catching posters, mastering this effect in Photoshop will elevate your visual creations. To begin with, this tutorial will guide you step-by-step through the entire process, making it easy for you to achieve a stunning Cartoon 3D Text Effect from scratch. Let's dive in!

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Initial Setup: Document Configuration for Cartoon 3D Text Effect

Firstly, let’s configure the document.

1. Create a New Document: Open Photoshop, then go to File > New (or Ctrl + N / Cmd + N).
2. Set Dimensions: Width: 3800 px, Height: 2000 px, Resolution: 300 ppi, RGB mode.

How to Create a Cartoon 3D Text Effect in Photoshop

Creating the Background Gradient

Next, we’ll set up the gradient background.

1. Select Gradient Tool (G).
2. Radial Gradient, Reverse checked, Scale 250%.
3. Gradient Color: #e901c to #f5c92a.

Adding and Warping Your Text

Now, it’s time to add and warp the main text.

1. Use Horizontal Type Tool (T), Font: 'Luckiest Guy', Size: 600 px, Tracking: 45.
2. Warp Text > Style: Arc, Bend: +23%, Vertical Distortion: +1%.

Once the text is in place, let’s start styling it.

Styling the Text Layer (Initial Layer)

1. Gradient Overlay: #ffb907 to #fef85a, Angle 90°, Scale 150%.
2. Duplicate Layer (Ctrl + J / Cmd + J).

Styling the Text Layer (Second Layer)

1. Move layer down-right slightly.
2. Color Overlay: #e55f00.

Styling the Text Layer (Third Layer)

1. Move layer: Down x2, Left x5.
2. Color Overlay: #fffac6. Stroke: 18 px, #fffac6.

Styling the Text Layer (Fourth Layer)

1. Move layer: Down x6, Left x1.
2. Color Overlay: #18104a. Stroke: 28 px, #18104a.

Grouping Text Layers

At this stage, grouping layers will help keep your workspace organized.

1. Group all text layers into 'Main Text'.

Creating the First Extrude Effect (Thickness)

To add depth, we’ll start creating the extrusion effect.

1. Duplicate bottom text layer, move outside group.
2. Color Overlay & Stroke: #e55f00, 28 px.
3. Duplicate, scale to 99%, move down, repeat transform 5x.
4. Group as 'Extrude 1'.

Creating the Second Extrude Effect (Additional Depth)

To enhance the 3D look, we’ll add another layer of extrusion.

1. Duplicate 'Extrude 1' group → rename to 'Extrude 2'.
2. Inside 'Extrude 2', duplicate top layer 5x (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + T).
3. Change top layer: Color Overlay #18104a, Stroke 40 px.
4. Copy Layer Style → paste to all other layers.

Creating the Shadow

After that, let’s build the shadow to increase realism

1. Duplicate top layer from 'Extrude 2' group → move below all layers → rename to 'Shadow'.
2. Transform: Width 83%, move down slightly.
3. Layer settings: Opacity 90%, Fill 0%.
4. Layer Style: Color Overlay #893700 @ 50% Multiply, Drop Shadow #893700, 50% Multiply, Size 60 px.

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Final Grouping and Alignment

Finally, let’s tidy things up and align everything perfectly.

1. Group all text effect and shadow layers → name 'Cartoon 3D Text Effect'.
2. Center align group on canvas (Ctrl + A → Align center → Ctrl + D).

Conclusion

In conclusion, you’ve now completed a vibrant 3D text effect.

Congratulations! You have successfully created an amazing Cartoon 3D Text Effect in Photoshop. {alertSuccess}

This technique can be applied to various types of text and projects, adding a unique and engaging visual touch.

Explore further by changing colors, fonts, and other parameters to create your own distinct 3D styles.

Video Source & Credit

This tutorial is based on the fantastic work shown in the original video below:

How to Create a Cartoon 3D Text Effect in Photoshop