How to Create a Fountain Pen Ink Text Effect in Photoshop

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to create a fountain pen ink text effect in Photoshop.

If you don't have the time to make this ink text effect in Photoshop, then Envato Elements is the solution. This subscription-based marketplace has over 10,000 Photoshop add-ons you can download without restrictions! You can get cursive fountain pen fonts, Photoshop ink drop brushes, and more. This set of Photoshop ink brushes is just one of the many examples.

What You'll Learn in This Photoshop Ink Text Effect Tutorial

How to save a pattern in Photoshop
How to create an ink text effect in Photoshop

What You'll Need

You will need the following resources in order to complete this beautiful ink text effect in Photoshop:

1. How to Save Displacement Maps and Patterns in Photoshop

Step 1

First, you need to save the displacement maps. Download this set of old paper backgrounds and open background #4 in Photoshop.

Go to File > Save As or press Shift-Control-S and save this photo as a PSD file. You can name it "Displace".

Step 2

Continue with background #5 and open it in Photoshop. Again, save this as a PSD file and name it "Displace2".

Step 3

Reopen background #5 in Photoshop and go to Image > Adjustments > Black and White. Now that your paper background is black and white, simply go to Edit > Define Pattern to save it as a pattern. You can close this document without saving it.

2. How to Create a Background and Add the Text

Step 1

Open Photoshop and press Control-N to create a new document. Choose the settings shown below, and then click OK.

Step 2

Select background #5 and simply drag it inside your Photoshop document. Press Control-T and scale it roughly as shown below.

Step 3

Pick the Horizontal Type Tool (T) from your toolbar and focus on the Character panel (Window > Character). Select the Fountaine font, set the size to 220 pt, the leading to 150 pt, and the color to R=2 G=6 B=138, and then just click on your canvas to type in the text.

Once you're done, move to the Layers panel (Window > Layers), right-click your text, and go to Convert to Smart Object.

3. How to Create an Ink Text Effect in Photoshop

Step 1

Make sure that your smart object stays selected and go to Filter > Distort > Ripple. Set the Amount to 50% and the Size to Small, and then click OK.

Step 2

Keep your smart object selected and go to Filter > Distort > Displace. Set both Scale values to 5 and check those two boxes, and then click OK. Find your "Displace" PSD file and double-click it to use it as the displacement map.

Step 3

Keep your smart object selected and go again to Filter > Distort > Displace. Keep the existing settings, click OK, and this time use "Displace2" as the displacement map.

Step 4

Make sure that your smart object is still selected and go to Filter > Blur Gallery > Field Blur. Keep that default Blur iris in the center, set it to only 1 px, and then click OK.

Step 5

Keep focusing on your smart object and double-click it to open the Layer Style settings. Activate the Pattern Overlay, select that black and white paper texture, and then set the rest of the settings as shown below.

Step 6

Keep focusing on the Layer Style settings, activate the Inner Glow and set the settings as shown below.

Step 7

Focus on the Layers panel, make sure that your smart object is selected and add a layer mask using that Add layer mask button. Select this mask, set the foreground color to black (R=0 G=0 B=0), and pick the Brush Tool (B) from your toolbar.

Select that default Soft Round brush, focus on your canvas, and subtly mask the areas where you consider that the drawing would start.

Step 8

Return to the Layers panel, hold down the Control key, and click your smart object to easily load a selection around it.

Select your paper background and then click that Create New Fill... button from the bottom of the panel. Select Solid Color, set it to R=0 G=3 B=168 and click OK. This will add a masked color fill with your text.

Step 9

Keep focusing on the Layers panel, select the mask applied to that Color Fill, and go to Filter > Pixelate > Crystallize. Drag that slider to only 3 and click OK.

Step 10

Finally, make sure that your color fill is still selected and lower its Opacity to 30%. With this final touch, your Photoshop ink text effect is complete.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Here is how your Photoshop ink text effect should look. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects.

Feel free to adjust this ink text effect in Photoshop and make it your own. You can find some great sources of inspiration at Envato Elements, with interesting solutions to create ink bleed effects in Photoshop.

Popular Assets From Envato Elements

Envato Elements is an excellent resource for cursive fountain pen fonts, Photoshop ink calligraphy brushes, or even ink text effects. Here's a short list of some of the most popular assets that you can find.

Photoshop Calligraphy Ink Brushes (ABR)

If you're looking to dive deep into ink drawing, this set of Photoshop ink calligraphy brushes will come in handy.

Photoshop Ink Drop Brushes (ATN, PAT, PSD)

Looking for more Photoshop ink drop brushes? This massive collection of spatter brushes is the perfect solution for creating a spilled ink text effect in Photoshop.

Photoshop Ink Brushes (PSD)

Check out this set of 36 Photoshop ink brushes divided into three different categories: regular brushes (for ink sketches and illustrations), ink washes, and ink stain stamps.

Photoshop Ink Bleed Effect (PSD)

Looking to create a realistic ink bleed effect in Photoshop? Using this PSD template, it can be done in a matter of seconds.

Cursive Fountain Pen Font

Now that you've learned how to create an ink text effect in Photoshop, you can use the same techniques for different fonts. This cursive fountain pen font might be a perfect fit.

Want to Learn More?

We have loads of tutorials on Envato Tuts+, from beginner to intermediate level. Take a look!