Published on May 26, 2023

Create a text shadow

In this blog I will show you how to create a text shadow using path blur in Adobe Photoshop!

Rather watch the video with instructions? Then click here or scroll down to the end of this page.


Step 1: Create file and text

First create a new file. My file is 1920 x 1080 pixels, but it doesn’t matter what size your file is.

Then select the horizontal type tool. Pick a font and text color and type your text. Click on the ✓ icon when you’re done typing the text.

Create text


Press CTRL+T to activate free transform. You can now resize and/or move your text.


Step 2: Text shadow

Then press CTRL+J to duplicate the text layer. Select the bottom text layer and make this text black.

Change text color


Then navigate to ‘Filter > Filter gallery > Path blur‘. If you get a notification, select ‘convert to smart object‘.

First deselect ‘centered blur’. You can then move the arrow to change the direction of the shadow.

Adjust the speed, taper and end point speed until you’re happy with the shadow. You can find the settings I used in the image below.

Path blur


If the shadows are too dark, you can lower the opacity of this layer

Opacity


Because you converted your layer to a smart object, you can adjust the shadows at any moment. To do that, double click on the ‘blur gallery’ layer.

And that’s how you create this text shadow effect in Adobe Photoshop!

Text shadow


Learn more about Photoshop

Also check out my other blogs and my YouTube channel if you want to learn more about editing in Adobe Photoshop!

You can follow me on Facebook if you want to stay updated about new blogs and tutorials!


⇠ Back to homepage



Photoshop
Basics
Photo editing
Creative editing
Camera Raw
Neural filters
Text effects

Lightroom
Basics
Photo editing

Share this page
Create a text shadow with path blur in Photoshop

Post navigation