How to Make a Peeling Sticker Effect in Photoshop

In this tutorial, we will learn how transform text into a realistic looking sticker inPhotoshopin a fewsimple steps. We will be using smart objects,blending modes, layer styles and blending options over text and adding a folded corner to make it more realistic.

Step 1 - Create Your Document

Create a new document, adjustingthe size and resolution to suityour needs.

Remember that a higher resolution is better for printed artwork but it will increase its size. We set ours as 15 x 10 cm @300 dpi with RGB color mode and white background.

Step 2 - Add Text to the Document

Use the Horizontal type tool (t) to type your text. We will be using a retro script by Almeerastudio. However, you can choose any retro script font from Font Bundles. Set the size, alignment, and color you want. We set the text as 65 pt, center alignment with a black fill.

Step 3 - Add a Stroke to the Text

Double-click on the text layer to open the layer styles, click stroke and enter the following settings: size 25 px, position outside, blend mode normal, opacity 100%, and color #33ccff. Use the + button next to the existing stroke to add a second one.

Give this stroke the following values: size 40 px, position outside, blend mode normal, opacity 100%, and color #ffffff (white).

The stroke instance filled with white should be the bottom one.

Step 4 - Add a Background Pattern

Make sure that you have the background layer selected and create a new pattern fill layer by clicking on the small black and white circle at the bottom of the layers panel and choose Pattern.

Click on the pattern dropdown menu and look for Legacy patterns and more.

If you can't find that collection, you need to open the patterns panel by going to Window > Patterns.In the flyout panel (top right corner), go to legacy patterns and more. There, click on the color paper folder and choose the one you want to use, and adjust the scale if needed. We chose graph paper @200%.

Step 5 - Convert to Smart Object

Right-click on top of your layer and choose convert to smart object.

Rename your smart object for identification purposes. We named ours sticker.

Step 6 - Rotate the Sticker

Enter free transform (command/control + T) set the rotation angle to -5 degrees, and then hit enter to commit.

Step 7 - Add a Paper Texture to Your Sticker

Double-click on the sticker thumbnail to open the layer styles, click pattern overlay and enter the following settings: blend mode overlay, opacity,and scale 100%. For the pattern, go to legacy patterns and more > legacy patterns > color paper and select the buff textured.

Step 8 - Create a Folded Corner

Use the polygonal lasso tool (L) to select a portion of the sticker.

Right-click on top of the sticker layer thumbnail and choose rasterize layer.

Now, right-click on top of your selection and choose layer via cut.

Name this new layer fold.

Step 9 - Add a Peeling Sticker Effect to the Folded Portion

First, double-click on the fold thumbnail to open the layer styles, uncheck pattern overlay and instead click on color overlay. Enter the following settings: blend mode normal, opacity 100%, and color #000000 (black).

Go to edit > transform > flip vertical.

Your selection should have made a 180º rotation.

Use the move tool (V) to move the selection so the corner is aligned to its corresponding portion on the sticker layer.

Enter freetransform(command/control + T) to rotate your selection.

First, move the reference point from the center to the corner of the folded portion.

Then rotate it around so it appears as if it is folded over.

Adjust the position if needed.

Step 10 - Add Some Metallic Effect to the Peeled Portion

Double-click on the fold thumbnail to open the layer styles, uncheck color overlay and instead click on inner shadow. Enter the following settings: blend mode multiply, color #011625, opacity 40%, angle -120º (uncheck global light), distance 10, choke 0, size 32, color #011625, and contour rounded steps.

Now, click on satin and enter the following settings: blend mode multiply, color #011625, opacity 40%, angle -120º, distance 25, size 40, contour half round, anti-aliased checked, and invert unchecked.

Then, click on gradient overlay and enter the following settings: blend mode normal, opacity 100%, style linear, angle -120º, scale 20, align with layer checked, and reverse unchecked. Click on the gradient and use the following settings: color #ababab location 0%, color #ffffff location 40%.

Finally, click on drop shadow and enter the following settings: blend mode normal, color #000000 (black), opacity 30%, angle 50º, global light unchecked, distance 10, spread 5, and size 15, and contour gaussian.

Step 11 - Add Shine to the Sticker

Double-click on the fold thumbnail to open the layer styles, keep patter overlay as it is, and click on gradient overlay. Enter the following settings: blend mode screen, opacity 30%, style linear, angle 100º, scale 65, align with layer checked, and reverse unchecked. Click on the gradient and use the following settings: 1: color #000000 location 0%, 2: color #ffffff location 7%, 3: color #000000 location 15%, 4: color #000000 location 75%, 5: color #cecece location 95%, and 6: color #000000 location 100%.

Finally, click on drop shadow and enter the following settings: blend mode normal, color #000000 (black), opacity 20%, angle 135º, global light unchecked, distance 5, spread 0, and size 5, and contour linear.

Step 12 - Group the Sticker Portions

Select the sticker and fold layers thumbnails (shift) and click on the small folder icon at the bottom of the layers panel to create a group and name it sticker.

Here’s how our sticker looks like.

Now that you know how to make stickers in Photoshop, you can use them in mockups and other fun designs.

If you liked this tutorial you may also like our tutorials on how to use the patch tool in Photoshop, how to use the healing brush and how to blur a background in Photoshop.