Not all glitches are bad, especially when they are glitch effects.
In recent years, they have gained immense popularity for their ability to make text and graphics appear funky. This fusion of typography with an element of distortion adds a futuristic cyberpunk vibe to the designs.
Considering this, Adobe Photoshop also introduced this effect to their set of powerful tools and endless creative possibilities. Let’s transform the ordinaries into mind-bending rarities in today’s article on how to create glitch text effects in Photoshop.
How to Create a Glitch Text Effect in Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is one of the undisputed heavyweight champions for best photo editing software.
Among a plethora of effects it offers to users, also lies the Glitch effect. Now there are multiple ways to create the discussed effect in Photoshop. We will discuss some of them in our guide.
Note: We have used Adobe Photoshop 2021 for demonstration purposes.
Tip: Glitch text effects appear best on a darker background and a lighter top layer (most preferably white). Remember, the configuration of the wave filter (though we have provided it) can be changed according to your liking and the level of distortion you want in the glitching text.
Method 1: Use Wave Filter
You can apply the Wave Filter multiple times to duplicate smart layers and then add different color overlays to the layers to create a glitchy, distorted appearance.
Here you have the choice to choose any of the three colors that go best with your project.
Step 1: Create a New Document in Photoshop and Type in the Desired Text with the Type Tool
1. Launch Adobe Photoshop, Go to File, and click on New to create a new document.
2. Click on Properties then select the color in the Fill option.
3. Select the Type Tool (represented by the T icon) from the toolbar on the left.
4. Click on your canvas and type the text.
5. Choose the font, size, and color. (We have chosen White).
Step 2: Convert Your Text Layer to a Smart Object and Apply a Wave Filter (Thrice)
Smart Objects allow for non-destructive editing, which is essential for this glitch effect.
6. In the Layers Panel, right-click on the Text Layer, and select Convert to Smart Object from the menu.
7. Now, choose Filter > Distort > Wave.
8. Configure the settings as follows to create an initial glitch effect on your text:
- Type: Square
- Number of Generators: 2
- Wavelength Min: 150
- Wavelength Max: 780
- Amplitude Min: 1
- Amplitude Max: 50
- Scale Horizontal: 20%
- Scale Vertical: 5%
9. Click on OK.
Once done, you need to duplicate the Smart Object and apply the Wave filter again.
10. Press Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac) to duplicate the layer, then go to Filter > Distort > Wave.
11. Configure the settings for the second wave effect to introduce medium-sized glitches and click on OK.
- Type: Square
- Number of Generators: 2
- Wavelength Min: 90
- Wavelength Max: 320
- Amplitude Min: 1
- Amplitude Max: 270
- Scale Horizontal: 10%
- Scale Vertical: 1%
12. Duplicate the layer once more, go to Filter > Distort > Wave.
13. Configure the settings for the third wave effect and click on OK to apply.
- Type: Square
- Number of Generators: 5
- Wavelength Min: 1
- Wavelength Max: 35
- Amplitude Min: 5
- Amplitude Max: 37
- Scale Horizontal: 70%
- Scale Vertical: 2%
Note: You can adjust these settings to achieve the desired level of distortion.
Step 3: Group All Three Smart Layers and Duplicate the Group Thrice
14. Select all three layers (the original and duplicated Smart Objects) by holding Shift.
15. Click on the folder icon at the bottom of the Layers window to create a group.
16. Duplicate the group three times (Ctrl +J), and name them Red, Green, and Blue.
17. Adjust the opacity of each group to 25%-50%.
Step 4: Add a Color Overlay, Fine Tune, and Save
18. Double-click on each group to open the Layer Style window and select Color Overlay.
19. Choose the respective color (red, green, or blue), leave the opacity at 100%, and click on OK.
20. Lastly, click on each group and use the arrow keys to nudge each colored group slightly for a more random appearance.
21. Tune the opacity levels as needed. When you’re satisfied with the glitch text effect, save your work in the desired format (e.g., PNG or JPEG).
Also Read: How to Curve Text in Photoshop
Method 2: Use Displacement Map
If you want an easy way to create a glitch text effect on Photoshop, you can use the displacement map. However, the results that come out are quite basic.
1. Type the required text in your canvas as said earlier.
2. Duplicate the text layer twice by pressing Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac).
3. Select the bottom text layer, and open the Layer Style window by double-clicking on it.
4. In the Layer Style window, uncheck the R (Red) channel under the RGB Channels section.
5. Move the bottom text layer slightly to the right (Ctrl + Arrow key).
6. Deselect the text by pressing Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac).
7. Now, select the middle text layer and open its Layer Style window. This time, uncheck the G (Green) channel.
8. Move the middle text layer slightly to the left and then deselect the text.
9. Now, merge the three text layers into one group by right-clicking and selecting Merge Group.
10. Press Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac) to duplicate the group thrice and name the duplicated group Red, Green, and Blue.
11. Reduce their opacity to around 25-50% for a subtle effect.
12. Open the Layer Style window for each duplicated group, select Color Overlay, choose the respective color, and set the opacity to 100%.
13. Use the arrow keys to move each duplicated group slightly to create a more random appearance. You can experiment with opacity levels to achieve the desired glitch effect intensity.
Also Read: 3 Ways to Invert Selection in Photoshop With and Without Shortcut
Method 3: Use Marquee Tool
You can manipulate text layers and use the Marquee Tool to create the glitch distortion effect. As we use an abundance of filters and effects, it can create glitch text like a pro on Photoshop.
If you are a novice to Photoshop then this one may be really exhausting for you but totally worth it.
1. Type the text required and position it at the center of the canvas using the Move tool from the Tool Panel.
2. In the Layers Panel, right-click on the Text Layer, and select Convert To Smart Object.
3. Duplicate the text layer by pressing Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac)
4. Double-click on the duplicated layer to open the Layer Style dialog box.
5. Under Advanced Blending, uncheck the R (Red) channel to remove the red color from the layer.
6. With the top duplicated layer selected, move the text slightly toward the left or right to create a glitch effect.
7. To merge the layers, press Alt + Ctrl + Shift + E (Windows) or Option + Command + Shift + E (Mac).
8. Press Ctrl + J (Windows) or Command + J (Mac) to copy the merged layer.
9. Apply the Wave Filter to this copied layer as done in Method 1.
10. Press Ctrl + J again to create a copy of the top layer and then select the Rectangular Marquee Tool from the Tool Panel.
11. Make a thin rectangular selection around parts of the text. Activate Free Transform by pressing Ctrl + T (Windows) or Command + T (Mac).
12. Drag the selection slightly to the left or right and create the glitch effect.
13. Create another copy of the top layer (Ctrl + J) and choose Filter > Pixelate > Mezzotint.
14. Change the blending mode to Darken to make the stroke lines visible only on the text.
15. Click on the fx icon and select Pattern Overlay >Horizontal Line 1.
16. Set the blending mode to Darken and adjust the scale of the pattern to around 65%.
17. Now, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
18. Click on the fx icon and select Satin to apply the Satin Layer Style.
Also Read: GIMP vs Krita: Which is a Better Photoshop Alternative?
Method 4: Use Eraser Tool for Custom Effect
In this method, you can manipulate text layers, add color, and layer styles, erase parts of the text, apply motion blur, and add noise to achieve a glitchy and distorted text effect.
1. Type the required text and duplicate the layer.
2. Select the duplicated text layer. Modify its color to something vibrant and eye-catching.
3. Go to Layer > Layer Style > Color Overlay and choose your desired color.
4. Right-click on the layer and select Blending Options. Try out settings such as Outer Glow, Inner Glow, and Drop Shadow to create a futuristic and electric appearance.
5. Now, choose the Eraser tool from the toolbar or press E on your keyboard.
6. Adjust the brush size to your liking and start erasing the duplicated text layer randomly to create the glitch effect.
7. For further glitch effects, navigate to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur, then adjust the angle and distance as preferred.
8. Duplicate the duplicated text layer once more and move it slightly to the left or right to create an offset effect.
9. Now go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Adjust the settings to introduce subtle noise, simulating the interference seen in glitches.
10. Customize your glitch text effect further by experimenting with blending modes, opacity, and additional layer styles. To know how to change opacity you can look into Method 1.
We hope our guide helped you add glitch text effects in Adobe Photoshop and transform your designs into attention-grabbing works of art.
Do share with us your queries and suggestions in the comments section below and stay connected to TechCult for more informative guides.