By Kia Lor
13 Mins

How to Create a Puffy Sticker Effect in DesignScape

In this tutorial, we will ll show you how to create a puffy sticker effect in DesignScape.

If you ever wondered about how to create a digital puffy sticker effect, you're in luck! This tutorial will show you how to create a puffy sticker effect in DesignScape. This effect is perfect to use on digital designs and stickers that are great for digital planners. DesignScape is available with the Gold Plus Membership level. If you're not a member yet, why not sign up for a free 30 Day Trial of the Gold Plus Membership today?

Before we start the actual tutorial, decide what font you'll be using and import the font into DesignScape after you install the font on your computer.

Step 1 - Add a Gradient Background

Once you start a new project, select the Gradient Tool (G). In the top toolbar, pick the colors for the gradient and set the gradient style to Radial.

Select Gradient Tool from left toolbar. Pick gradient colors and the gradient style Radial.

Then, select the Background layer and click + drag starting from the center of the canvas to the top right corner to create the gradient.

Select the Background layer. Click and drag starting from the center out to one of the corners.

Step 2 - Add and Edit Text

Add Text Using the Type Tool

Select the Type Tool (T) from the left toolbar and your font in the top toolbar. We went with the beautiful script font, Nela Neta. Next, click on the canvas and type your text. Make additional edits to your text, such as changing the size, alignment, leading, tracking, etc. We have a tutorial all about text in DesignScape if you need it.

Select Type Tool and font. Then edit font/text as needed.

Center Text with Move Tool

Using the Move Tool (V), click on the text to select it. Then click + drag the text to the center of the canvas until it snaps in place and you see two perpendicular red lines indicating that the text is centered on the canvas.

Center align the text to the canvas using the Move Tool

Horizontally Distort Text Layer

With the text layer still secluded, enable Free Transform (Alt+Ctrl/Cmd+T) by going to Edit > Free Transform. Enter a value of -10 for Horizontal Distort and click the checkmark icon to the far right in the top toolbar.

Horizontally distort text by entering a value of -10 in the top toolbar with Free Transform enabled

Step 3 - Duplicate Text Layer and Rearrange Layers

Make a Copy of the Text Layer

Right-click on the text layer and select Duplicate Layer.

Right-click on text layer and click Duplicate Layer

Move Duplicate Text Layer Below Original Text Layer

Reorder the list of layers by clicking and dragging the duplicate text layer below the original text layer.

Click and drag the duplicate layer under the original text layer

Step 4 - Change Bottom Text Layer’s Font Color to White

Select the bottom text layer and the Type Tool (T). Change the font color to white in the top toolbar.

You won’t be able to see the white text as we’re editing the bottom text layer. Hide the top text layer by clicking the eye icon to check the bottom layer, then reshow the top layer again.

Select the bottom/duplicate text layer and the Type Tool, then change the font color to white

Step 5 - Add a Stroke Layer Style to the Bottom Text Layer

With the top text layer showing, double-click on the bottom text layer to open the Layer Style dialog. Click on the word Stroke to enable that layer style. Change the color to white and increase the Size to your liking, then click OK. We set our size to 26px.

Double-click on the bottom text layer and add a Stroke layer style

Step 6 - Rasterize Layer Style and Fill in Empty Space of Bottom Text Layer

Rasterize Bottom Text Layer’s Layer Style

Right-click on the bottom text layer and choose Rasterize Layer Style.

Right-click on the bottom text layer and click Rasterize Layer Style

Fill in Gaps with Brush

Note: you don’t have to do this part if you don’t have any gaps in the middle of your white background or if you want to keep the gaps.

Select the Brush Tool (B) and set the Foreground color to white. Change the brush size if needed.

Select the Brush Tool, set the Foreground color to white, and edit brush size if needed

Brush over the gaps to fill them in.

Brush over the gaps inside the white area to fill them in

Step 7 - Rename Bottom Layer to White Background

Double-click on the bottom layer’s name (“Font Bundles copy”) and rename it White Background.

Double-click on the bottom layer's name and rename it to White Background

Step 8 - Duplicate White Background Layer and Rearrange Layers

Make a Copy of White Background Layer

Right-click on the White Background layer and select Duplicate Layer.

Right-click on the White Background layer and duplicate the layer

Rearrange Layers

Move the new duplicate layer (“White Background copy”) down below the layer, White Background.

Move the duplicate layer below the original White Background layer

Step 9 - Apply Bevel and Emboss Layer Style to White Background Layer

Next, we will add a Bevel and Emboss layer style to make the design look puffy.

Double-click on White Background layer to open the Layer Style dialog. Click Bevel and Emboss to enable that layer style and enter the following settings:

Style: Inner Bevel
Technique: Smooth and Down
Depth: 100%
Size: 28px
Soften: 0px
Use global angle: Unchecked
Angle top: -45°
Angle bottom: 35°
Contour: Linear
Top (Blend) Mode: Screen
Top Mode Color: #e4e4e4
Top Mode Opacity: 100%
Bottom (Blend) Mode: Multiply
Bottom Mode Color: Black
Bottom Mode Opacity: 38%

Play around with the settings to get the look you want. Click OK when complete.

Apply a Bevel and Emboss layer style to White Background layer and change the settings

Step 10 - Apply Outer Glow Layer Style to White Background Copy Layer

Now, we will add a small outer glow to create the look of the sealed outline that puffy stickers sometimes have.

Double-click on White Background copy layer to open the Layer Style dialog. Click the words Outer Glow to enable that layer style. Enter the following settings:

Blend Mode: Normal
Opacity: 100%
Noise: 0%
Color: #d8d8d8
Technique: Softer
Spread: 0%
Size: 6px
Contour: Linear
Range: 11%
Jitter: 0%

Again, you can pick what settings look the best to you, and click OK when complete.

Apply an Outer Glow Layer Style to White Background Copy Layer

If you like the flat design look for your puffy sticker effect, you can stop here. We will edit the top text layer in the next step to add more details.

Step 11 - Apply Layer Styles to Top Text Layer

Bevel and Emboss Layer Style

Double-click on the top text layer to open the Layer Style dialog. Click on Bevel and Emboss to enable it, and change the options in the Bevel and Emboss tab. We used the following settings:

Style: Emboss
Technique: Smooth and Down
Depth: 100%
Size: 30px
Soften: 0px
Use global angle: Unchecked
Angle top: 0°
Angle bottom: 75°
Contour: Valley
Top (Blend) Mode: Screen
Top Mode Color: White
Top Mode Opacity: 53%
Bottom (Blend) Mode: Multiply
Bottom Mode Color: Black
Bottom Mode Opacity: 20%

Apply a Bevel and Emboss layer style to the top text layer

If you like your text color as it is, click OK, and your puffy sticker effect is done! We will change the color of our text in the following part if you’d like to follow along.

Color Overlay

Before clicking OK in the Layer Style dialog, click on Color Overlay. Leave the Blend Mode at Normal and the Opacity at 100%. Change the color to your liking, then click OK in the Color Picker dialog. Click OK in the Layer Style dialog and you’re done!

Enable the Color Overlay layer style and pick a color to change the text color

Your design is complete, and all you have to do now is save/export your design. Have fun creating more puffy stickers to your heart’s content!!

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How to Create a Puffy Sticker Effect in DesignScape

Step 1 - Add a Gradient Background