Chrome Electroplate

Step 1.

Create a new document in photoshop that is 500x500 in size, and fill the background with #6A6A6A.

Step 2.

Set your foreground color to #DEE0E2, and get out your text tool ( ), and set it up like so:

Note: You'll want to use a nice thick font for this effect. Here I'm using the basic Verdana Font that comes shipped standard with windows.

Go ahead and type out your text near the center of the canvas as I have done here:

Step 3.

Double click this layer, and apply the following blending options:

Stroke:

Result:

Step 4.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + N on your keyboard to create a new layer.

Name this new layer "chrome effect" in your layers pallet as I have done here:

Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and click on the original text layer to make a selection of the text:

Go to Select->Modify->Contract and use the following settings:

Using the Paint Bucket Flood Fill Tool ( ) fill this selection with any color (it doesn't matter). I'll use a bright green (#3ADB02).

Note: Make sure you are filling the selection on the new layer named "chrome effect".

Press Ctrl+ D on your keyboard to de-select the selection.

Result:

Step 5.

Double click this layer (named: Chrome Effect) and apply the following blending options:

Gradient Overlay:

Result:

Step 6.

Now that our Chrome Text has been created, we'll go ahead and make the plate that the text rests on.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + N on your keyboard to create a new layer. Name this layer "Plate Base" in the layers pallet as shown here:

Now click this layer to select it and drag it below our two text layers in the layers pallet as shown here:

Get out the Rectangular Marquee Tool ( ) and make a selection on the stage similar to this:

Go to Select->Modify->Smooth and apply the following setting:

Using the Paint Bucket Fill Tool ( ) fill this selection with #8F959B.

Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard to de-select the selection.

Result:

Step 7.

Get out the Polygon Lasso Tool ( ) and make a selection similar to what I've done here.

Tap Delete on your keyboard once, to delete this area from the plate.

Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard to de-select the selection.

Result:

Next using the Polygon Lasso Tool again, make another selection near as shown here this time on the bottom of the plate:

Tap Delete on your keyboard once, to delete this area from the plate.

Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard to de-select the selection.

Result:

Step 8.

Double click this layer, and apply the following blending options:

Outer Glow:

Stroke:

Result:

Step 9.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + N on your keyboard to create a new layer. Name this new layer "Chrome Plate Effect" in your layers pallet as I've done here:

Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and click the layer named "plate base" in the layers pallet, to make a selection of it's contents:

Go to Select->Modify->Contract and apply the following settings:

Using the Paint Bucket Flood Fill Tool ( ) fill this selection with any color (it doesn't matter). I'll use a bright green (#3ADB02).

Note: Make sure you are filling the selection on the new layer named "Chrome Plate Effect".

Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard to de-select the selection.

Result:

Step 10.

Double click this layer "Chrome Plate Effect" and apply the following blending options:

Gradient Overlay:

Result:

Step 11.

Next we'll create the little bolts in each of the four corners.

Press Ctrl + Shift + N on your keyboard to create a new layer. Name this layer "Bolts":

Get out the Elliptical Marquee Tool ( ) and make a small circular selection in one of the corners as I've done here:

Using the Paint Bucket Fill Tool ( ) fill this selection with #DEE0E2.

Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard to de-select the selection.

Result:

Double click this layer, and apply the following blending options:

Outer Glow:

Inner Glow:

Result:

Step 12.

Press Ctrl + J on your keyboard to duplicate this layer.

Then using the Move Tool ( ) move this duplicate "blot" layer to the opposite corner:

Repeat this process twice more (or more if you wish) to make a few more bolts and position them around the metal plate as I've done here:

This pretty much covers the creation of the Chrome Plate. Here I've added a few small details, using virtually the same techniques taught in this tutorial, however slightly changing the colors and shapes:

Try different shapes and variations out to see what kinds of effects you can get.