Learn how to make a chalkboard sign with a chalk text effect in Photoshop using textures and layer styles. This is a great option if you want to make a "first day of school" chalkboard sign, for example.
But if you're looking for more chalkboard sign ideas or if you need to make a welcome chalkboard sign or a customizable chalkboard sign, you should visit Envato Elements as well. This complete subscription-based marketplace offers you unlimited resources to quickly make chalkboard signs. Find chalk fonts, chalk effect Photoshop add-ons, and more!
And if you prefer video tutorials instead, the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel is the place to go. There you can watch this new video to learn how to make a chalk effect in Photoshop:
What You'll Learn in This Chalkboard Sign Tutorial
- How to create the background
- How to create a speech bubble shape using the Pen Tool
- How to create a chalkboard texture
- How to create a chalkboard shape
- How to create a wooden texture
- How to create a chalkboard with a wooden frame
- How to add a chalk text effect
- How to add chalk pieces
What You'll Need
The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial on how to make a chalkboard sign:
- BD Cartoon Shout font
All the textures that we are going to use in this tutorial (wood and chalk) are made using Photoshop filters.
1. How to Create the Background
Create a new 1000 x 1000 px document. Make a new layer and press Shift-F5 to fill it with #62c3c9 or any other color that you like.
2. How to Create the Speech Bubble Shape Using the Pen Tool
Choose the Pen Tool (P) and draw the speech bubble shape.
To create a curved line, click and hold down the mouse and drag.
To turn a smooth anchor to a sharp point, Alt-Click on the anchor point.
3. How to Create the Chalkboard Texture
Step 1
Set the Foreground color to #1a1a1a and the Background color to #ffffff.
Create a new layer and call it Chalkboard Texture. Press Shift-F5 to fill it with the color #1a1a1a.
Step 2
Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and set the Amount to 50%.
Step 3
Go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur and set the Angle to 50 and the Distance to 19 pixels.
Step 4
Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels and use these settings.
Step 5
Select the Chalkboard Texture layer and the Levels adjustment, right-click, and choose Merge Layers. Rename the new layer Chalkboard Texture.
Step 6
Press Control-J to duplicate the Chalkboard Texture layer and call it Chalkboard Text Texture.
4. How to Create the Chalkboard Shape
Step 1
Hide the Chalkboard Text Texture layer.
Right-click on the Chalkboard Texture layer and choose Create Clipping Mask.
Step 2
Press Control-J to duplicate the Speech Bubble Shape layer and call it Chalkboard. Rename the initial layer Wooden Frame.
Step 3
Set the Fill of the Wooden Frame layer to 0% and add a Stroke layer style, color #000000.
Right-click on the layer and choose Convert to Smart Object.
5. How to Create the Wooden Texture
Step 1
Press Shift-Control-N to create a new layer. Name the layer Wooden Texture.
Press Shift-F5 to fill the layer with color #1a1a1a.
Step 2
Go to Filter > Render > Fibers to create the wood texture.
Step 3
Right-click on the Wooden Texture layer and choose Create Clipping Mask.
Step 4
Select the Wooden Frame and the Wooden Texture layers and move them above all the other layers.
Step 5
Add these layer styles to the Wooden Frame layer:
-
Drop Shadow (color
#000000) -
Inner Shadow (color
#000000) -
Bevel and Emboss (color
#ffffffand#000000) -
Color Overlay (color
#c86800)
6. How to Create a Chalkboard With a Wooden Frame
Add this layer style to the Chalkboard layer:
-
Drop Shadow (color
#000000) -
Inner Shadow (color
#000000) -
Inner Glow (color
#ffffff) -
Color Overlay (color
#393838)
7. How to Add the Chalk Text Effect
Step 1
Add the Back To School text layer using the color #ffffff.
Step 2
Add this layer style to the Back to School text layer:
-
Inner Shadow (color
#000000) -
Outer Glow (color
#ffffff) -
Inner Glow (color
#000000) -
Stroke (color
#000000)
Step 3
Also add a Color Overlay, blend mode Normal, opacity 100%, using a color that you like. I will use this green color tone #d1ff6e.
You can also change the color of the Stroke using any color you like.
Step 4
Right-click on the Back to School text layer and choose Convert to Smart Object. Set the blend mode to Screen.
Step 5
To create a more realistic chalk effect, make the Chalkboard Text Texture layer visible. Right-click on the layer and choose Create Clipping Mask for the Back to School text layer.
Also set the blend mode to Multiply.
Step 6
To make the colors more vibrant, let's add a Levels adjustment. Right-click on the adjustment layer and choose Create Clipping Mask.
8. How to Add Pieces of Chalk
Step 1
Use the Pen Tool to create a piece of chalk.
Step 2
Add this layer style to make the piece of chalk look realistic:
-
Drop Shadow (color
#000000) -
Inner Shadow (color
#000000) -
Bevel and Emboss (colors
#ffffffand#000000) -
Color Overlay (color
#f2f2f2for the white chalk and#c1e053for the green chalk)
Congratulations! You're Done!
In this tutorial, you've learned how to make a chalk effect in Photoshop from scratch using filters and adjustment layers. I hope you've enjoyed it and can now make your own "first day of school" chalkboard sign!
5 Top Chalk Effect Photoshop Resources From Envato Elements
Now you know how to make a chalkboard sign from scratch in Photoshop. But if you're in a hurry and want to save time, Envato Elements is the best option. With a subscription, you can download as many assets as you need.
Looking for more chalkboard sign ideas? On Envato Elements you can find chalkboard sign mockups, chalk fonts, and even wedding chalkboard signs and templates!
You can make a customizable chalkboard sign with these resources in a fraction of the time! Here's a selection of our favorites:
1. Chalk Lettering Photoshop Action (ATN, ABR, PAT)
Want to make a "first day of school" chalkboard sign in a few clicks? Check out this chalk effect Photoshop kit.
You'll get 28 single effects like chalk fills and outlines, as well as three complex chalk effects. It's a complete kit to make customizable chalkboard signs with actions, patterns, brushes, and more!
2. Chalkboard Sign Generator (PAT, ATN, PSD, SKETCH, PNG, PDF)
If you need to make wedding chalkboard signs, this is the kit for you. It comes with 14 actions, three layer patterns, three chalk brushes, and two backgrounds. You can easily make welcome chalkboard signs, wedding chalkboard signs, and more with this one!
3. Chalkboard Text Effects (PSD)
This chalk effect Photoshop kit is specially made for text. If you need a unique welcome chalkboard sign, then this is for you. The download includes 12 fully layered PSD files that work with smart object layers.
4. Chalk Shapes Photoshop Stamp Brushes (ABR)
If free-hand drawing is more your style, then you'll benefit from this pack of chalk brushes. The download includes 15 brushes at a size of 2500+ pixels, and they work with any Photoshop version.
5. Chalk and Charcoal Photoshop Styles (ASL, PAT, PNG)
Do you want to achieve a nice and realistic chalkboard sign look? This kit answers the question of how to make a chalk effect in Photoshop with a realistic look.
Create your customizable chalkboard sign with these 15 chalk and 15 charcoal effects in a variety of formats.
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