Create a Realistic Text Shadow in Photoshop
In this tutorial, you’ll build a convincing shadow/reflection effect from your text. You’ll convert the text to a Smart Object, duplicate and flip it, distort the perspective, and fade it with a gradient mask. Finally, you’ll soften the shadow with Gaussian Blur and learn how to update the text later.
Step-by-step instructions
Create your text and convert to a Smart Object
Select the Horizontal Type Tool (T) and type your text.
Right-click the text layer → Convert to Smart Object.
Duplicate and flip to form the shadow
Press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Cmd+J (Mac) to duplicate the smart object.
Press Ctrl+T (Windows) or Cmd+T (Mac) for Free Transform, right-click → Flip Vertical.
Drag the flipped layer below the original to position as the shadow; press Enter/Return to confirm.
Adjust perspective for realism
With the shadow layer active, press Ctrl+T/Cmd+T, right-click → Perspective.
Drag corner handles to angle and taper the shadow appropriately.
Press Enter/Return to apply.
Fade the shadow with a gradient mask
With the shadow layer selected, click Add Layer Mask.
Select the Gradient Tool (G) and choose a Black-to-Transparent linear gradient.
Set the Foreground color to black.
Hold Shift and drag upward on the mask to create a smooth fade.
Soften with Gaussian Blur
Go to Filter → Blur → Gaussian Blur.
Increase Radius until the shadow edges look natural, then click OK.
Edit the text later via the Smart Object
Double-click the smart object thumbnail to open it.
Edit the text, then close the window and save when prompted (click Yes).
The main document updates automatically.
