How to create a glass effect in Photoshop

Use the text tool to create text. We’ve used a bokeh effect background image, but you can use any you prefer.

We’d recommend using a chunky typeface (or font) so you can really see the effect at work in the final stage.

Adjust the placement and size of the text according to your preferences.

Click on the effects icon at the bottom of the Layers palette (we’ve circled it). 

Choose Bezel and Emboss from the options.

You should see a panel that looks like this. We will modify the settings here to get our glass effect.

Now the fun begins…

Use the following settings we’ve applied here, making sure Global Light is turned off.

Under Gloss Contour, choose the Double Ring option and check that Anti-aliased is ticked.

On the left menu, click on Contour under Bevel and Emboss. Select the same Contour Gloss effect (Double Ring) and check that Anti-Aliasing is checked as well.

Click on Colour Overlay from the menu on the left. We’ve chosen a light blue and have set the Opacity to 15%.

Next, we will add a bit of a drop shadow. To do this, click on Drop Shadow at the bottom the menu on the left.

We’ve chosen a light blue colour again and reduced the opacity to around 70%.

Now you can play around with the distance, spread and size of the shadow until it looks right and natural for your image.

Click OK when you’re ready.

Change the Layer mix to Overlay and then reduce the Fill. We’ve reduced ours to 85%, but you can play around with the figure to see what works best for your image.

Playing with the Fill and Layer Mix allows the background to shine through and makes the text look more transparent and convincing as glass. This was our final product.