In this tutorial I'll show you, step by step, how to create a photo-realistic logo mockup with Adobe Photoshop using multiple layer styles and a smart object.
If you're looking to purchase a logo mockup in this style, instead of following the tutorial, may we recommend this Realistic Mockup set available on GraphicRiver.
Tutorial Assets
The following assets were used during the production of this tutorial:
- Paper Texture
- Perspective Image
- A vector badge that comes from the collection: Badges and Logos Vol.01
- Familiar Pro Font
- BodoniXT
1. How to Create a Smart Object With the Right Perspective
Step 1
Download the Paper Texture and open it with Photoshop.
Step 2
Download the Perspective Image and open it with Photoshop.
Step 3
Choose, in the top menu, Select > All, and then choose Edit > Copy to copy the selection to the clipboard.
Go back to the background document and choose, in the top menu, Edit > Paste to paste the perspective image over the background.
Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer's name in the Layers panel and changing it to "Perspective".
Step 4
Set the foreground color to orange (any color different from black is good).
Choose the Rectangle Tool, move the cursor over the canvas, and click. You’ll open a small dialog box that allows you to enter precise dimensions for your new shape. Type 1317 x 947 px and click OK.
Rename the layer by double-clicking directly on the layer's name in the Layers panel and changing it to "Smart Object".
With the "Smart Object" layer selected, choose, in the top menu, Layer > Smart Object > Convert to Smart Object.
Step 5
Choose Edit > Transform > Scale.
If we look closely, a thin bounding box appears around the rectangle. We can also see a small square in the top center, bottom center, left center, and right center, as well as a square in each of the four corners. These little squares are called "handles", and we can transform whatever is inside the bounding box simply by dragging these handles around.
In this step it's extremely important that we transform the rectangle using only the handles at the corners of the bounding box.
Move the mouse cursor over the handle on the top right corner, press and hold the Command button on your keyboard (the cursor will change to a small white arrow), and then click and drag the handle until you touch the top right corner of the black perspective square with your mouse cursor:
Step 6
Keep dragging the handles to cover the whole black area with the orange rectangle:
Step 7
Now we don't need the "Perspective" layer anymore, so we can remove it by selecting it in the Layers panel and choosing Layer > Delete > Layer.
Good work! From now on, everything we put inside the Smart Object will take the angle of the orange rectangle.
2. How to Import the Badge From Illustrator
Step 1
Now we need a badge to complete our project. Envato Elements offers a wide range of high-quality badges and vector elements ready for use. Subscribe to unlock unlimited badges, templates, photos and more for one monthly fee!
In this tutorial we'll use a badge that comes from Badges and Logos Vol.01. Download it and open with Illustrator.
Step 2
Choose the Selection Tool (V). Now select the "Kexolo" badge (or whatever badge you like). Copy the badge by going to Edit > Copy or pressing Command-C.
Create a new 350 x 350 px document in Adobe Illustrator. Finally, paste the badge just copied by choosing Edit > Paste or pressing Command-V.
Step 3
With the Selection Tool (V), move the badge over the grey area, out of the white canvas.
Step 4
Before importing the badge on our scene into Photoshop, we need to expand the appearance, convert all the text to vector shapes, and remove the white area revealed now that we moved the badge to the grey area.
If the badge is not selected, select it by clicking on it with the Selection Tool (V).
In the top menu, choose Object > Expand. A dialog window will appear; select Object and Fill and press OK:
Step 5
Locate the Pathfinder panel. If you can't see the panel, open it by choosing Window > Pathfinder.
Choose Trim to remove the overlapping elements and clean the badges of unnecessary shapes.
Step 6
Choose the Magic Wand Tool, and move the cursor over a white area and click to select all the white areas of the badge. If you need, magnify the canvas by using the Zoom Tool (Z). When all the white areas of the badge are selected, remove them by choosing, in the top menu, Edit > Cut.
3. How to Include the Badge Into the Scene
Step 1
Copy the badge by going to Edit > Copy or pressing Command-C.
Step 2
In the Layers panel of Photoshop, double-click on the thumbnail of the smart object to edit it.
When you edit a Smart Object, the source content is opened in a new window of Photoshop. Here you can make any changes you like and, once you're satisfied, all you need to do is save the file and the Photoshop Smart Object will be updated when you return to it.
In the Layers panel, paste the badge just copied by choosing Edit > Paste or pressing Command-V and remove the orange rectangle layer by clicking Layer > Delete > Layer.
From the dialog box, choose Smart Object and press OK:
Step 3
Locate the top options bar and set the badge's position to 658 x 472 px and its dimension to 685% for both Width and Height fields. When you're done, press Enter on your keyboard:
Step 4
Save the document by choosing File > Save or using the keyboard shortcut Command-S.
Going back to the main document, you'll notice that the smart object is now updated with the latest changes.
4. How to Stamp the Badge Into the Paper
It's time to add some significant effects to the badge to give it a 3D feel, consistent with the scene.
Step 1
Set the Fill for the "Smart Object" layer to 0%:
Step 2
Duplicate the "Smart Object" layer twice by going to Layer > New > Layer Via Copy.
Now rename and group the layers as shown in the image below.
From now on, when you need to replace the badge in your smart object, you can use the "Smart Object" layer, by clicking on it and editing the content.
Step 3
Let's start adding some layer styles to the "Effect 2" layer. Open the Layers Style panel and add a new Bevel & Embossed effect, set the color for the Highlight Mode and Shadow Mode to #000000, and then set the rest as follows:
Step 4
Add a new Inner Shadow effect, set the color for the Blend Mode to #000000, and set the rest as follows:
Step 5
Add a new Satin effect, set the color for the Blend Mode to #ffffff, and set the rest as follows:
Step 6
Add a new Gradient Overlay effect and set the options as follows:
Click on the small gradient window to edit the gradient color.
- Set the first opacity stop to Opacity 75% and Location 71%.
- Set the second opacity stop to Opacity 25% and Location 100%.
Step 7
Add a new Drop Shadow effect, set the color for the Blend Mode to #000000, and set the rest as follows:
Step 8
Let's add some smart filters to the "Effect 2" layer by choosing Filter > Distort > Ripple. Set the filter amount to -50%:
Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 1.7 pixels.
Step 9
Now let's add a layer style to the "Effect 1" layer.
Open the Layers Style panel and add a new Drop Shadow effect, set the Blend Mode color to #ffffff, and set the rest as follows:
Step 10
Finally, add some smart filters to "Effect 1" layer by choosing Filter > Distort > Ripple. Set the filter amount to -60%:
Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set the radius to 0.8 pixels.
Congratulations, You're Done!
In this tutorial, you learned how to create a pressed paper logo mockup with Adobe Photoshop!
I hope that you've enjoyed my tutorial and learned something new. Please feel free to leave your comments, suggestions, and outcomes below.
Enjoy Photoshopping!
