How to Create Text Reflection in Photoshop

The following will explain a trick to create a Photoshop reflection effect on text. The same trick is creating Photoshop's shadow effect on objects, even simpler. The trick is to create a new document, write your text on the canvas, then duplicate the text layer. Flip the text on the copy text layer and move it underneath the main text. The last step is to create a layer mask on the copy text layer and apply a black to white gradient on the layer mask. For more details, follow the steps below:

1. Create a New Document.

Create a new document by choosing File> New or by using the shortcut Ctrl + N. The document size is up to you.

Create a new document.

2. Grab Then Set the Horizontal Type Tool.

Click the Horizontal Type Tool (T) icon in the Tool panel. On the option bar select the font type, font size and font color you want.

Horizontal Type Tool.

3. Type Text On Canvas.

Click the mouse on the canvas then type the text. Press Ctrl + Enter when you're done typing.

Type text on the canvas.

4. Adjust Text Using Free Transform.

Press Ctrl + T key to call Free Transform. Click on the Free Transform box then drag outwards to increase the font size or drag in to reduce it. Press Enter when done setting.

Set using Free Transform.

5. Duplicate The Text Layer Then Flip It Vertically and Drag It Down.

Duplicate the text layer by pressing Ctrl + J keys. Now we have the same two text layers. Perform a Flip Vertical transform on one of the layers by selecting Edit> Transform> Flip Vertical. Press Ctrl + T to call Free Transform then move it down by pressing the down arrow key on the keyboard.

Duplicate the layer then flip it vertically and drag it down.

6. Apply Gradient.

Click the Gradient Tool icon on the Tool panel then select Gradient Black To White and Linear Gradient. Create a layer mask by clicking the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the layer panel. Next, apply a gradient to the layer mask by clicking and then dragging (while holding down the Shift key) the text vertically.

Click the Gradient Tool icon, Select Black To White and Linear Gradient.

Create a layer mask then click and drag upwards to apply the gradient.

7. Create a Layer for the Background.

Click the Create a New Layer icon at the bottom of the layers panel then move it to the bottom position. I will give black color for the background. Select the Edit menu> Fill, in the Use drop down, select Black then click the OK button.

Create a new layer then fill it with black.

8. Adjust the Opacity of the Reflection Layer.

Click the reflection layer then adjust its opacity to get the reflection / reflection effect you want. 

Adjust the opacity of the reflection layer.

Here is the result:

Photoshop tutorial Text reflection effect.

See also:

• How to Create Reflection in Photoshop
• Selective Coloring in Photoshop
• Creating Rain Effect in Photoshop
• How to make a Transparent Text On Photo in Photoshop
• Turning Photo Into Hand Sketches in Photoshop