Metal Style Nameplates in Affinity Publisher Using Object Styles: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Create realistic metal style text and name plates for your digital planners. Whether you're customizing your planner covers or adding a stylish touch to your layouts, this step-by-step guide will show you how to do it using Affinity Publisher.

Watch on YouTube - http://youtu.be/21fvcZc0kts

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll walk through creating embossed gold text and personalized nameplates, so let’s get started!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

If you've been following my previous tutorials, you'll remember we're working with a leather planner cover design. For this project, we're focusing on creating text with a metallic effect and adding a nameplate. So, open your project and zoom into the area where you'd like to add your text.

Step 2: Add Text with the Artistic Text Tool

First, let's create our metallic text:

Select the Artistic Text Tool from your toolbar and click where you want to place your text.
Type your name or the text you want. It's important to use a chunky font for this effect, as it holds the texture better. I’m using a font that's bold and thick. If you don’t have it, Impact is a great alternative.
Don’t worry about the current colour or fill of the text - we’ll be changing that to a metallic texture next.

Step 3: Apply a Metal Texture to the Text

Now, it's time to give your text that stunning metallic look:

With your text selected, go to the Gradient Tool.
In the context toolbar, switch the fill type from Solid to Bitmap.
Choose a gold texture (links to download the textures are below). You'll immediately see the gold texture applied to your text, but we’re not done yet!

Step 4: Add a 3D Effect and Emboss the Text

To make your text pop off the background, let's apply some effects:

Open the Effects Panel and apply a 3D Effect. This will add depth and create a slight shadow.
Adjust the 3D effect to your liking. I increased the shadow from 5 to 10 for more depth.
Next, apply a Bevel and Emboss effect. Set the bevel to approximately 3 for a more subtle, embossed look. Now your text looks like raised metal.

Step 5: Save Your Style for Future Use

If you want to reuse this gold embossed text in future projects, save it as a style:

Go to the Styles Panel.
From the burger menu, select Add Style from Selection.
Name the style something memorable, like "Gold Embossed Text."

Step 6: Create a Nameplate

Now let’s create a nameplate to go with your metal text:

Select the Rectangle Tool and draw a rectangle where you want the nameplate.
Change the fill to white for now.
To make the nameplate more stylish, adjust the corners.
Go to the corner options and choose Concave. Set the radius to 14% to give it a more polished look.

Step 7: Add Effects to the Nameplate

Make the nameplate stand out by adding similar effects to the ones used on the text:

Apply a Bevel and Emboss effect, setting it to around 12 pixels for better visibility.
Add a 3D Effect and tweak it slightly to make the plate look raised.
Change the plain white fill to the same gold texture we used for the text by going back to the Gradient Tool and choosing the bitmap option.

Step 8: Add Text to the Name Plate

Now for the text:

Use the Artistic Text Tool to add your name (or any other text) on top of the nameplate.
I used the font Big Caslon, which looks more elegant on nameplates.
Resize the text to fit perfectly on the nameplate.

Step 9: Make the Text Look Engraved

Adding Effects to Make the Text Appear Engraved

To make the text appear engraved into the metal:

Select the text and go to the Effects Panel.
Apply a 3D Effect. Increase the depth to 10 pixels and change the light source to make it look like the text is engraved into the metal.
Adjust the light direction to change how the shadows fall, enhancing the engraved effect.

Step 10: Save Your Name Plate Style

Just like with the text, save your nameplate style:

Select the nameplate and go to the Styles Panel.
Add it as a new style and name it something like "Gold Name Plate."

Step 11: Create a Silver Version (Optional)

Want to switch it up with a silver version?

Select the nameplate, return to the Gradient Tool, and choose a silver texture instead of gold.
You’ll need to adjust the colour of the engraved text. Change the fill to a grey that matches the silver texture.

Again, save this version as a style by adding both the nameplate and text as separate styles.

Recap

Here’s a quick summary of what we’ve done:

Metal Text: Choose a chunky font, apply a bitmap texture using the gradient tool, and add a 3D and Bevel & Emboss effect.
Nameplate: Create a rectangle, adjust the corners to concave, add effects, and fill it with a gold or silver texture.
Engraved Text: Use the 3D effect to make the text look engraved by adjusting the light direction.

By saving these styles, you’ll be able to easily reuse them in future projects with just a few clicks!

And there you have it! You’ve created a stylish nameplate for your digital planner. If you enjoyed this tutorial and want more tips and tricks, be sure to check out my free training at ElaineGiles.com/VIP. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss a new tutorial.

If you have any specific tutorial requests, feel free to reach out - I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading and watching, and see you next time!

https://youtu.be/21fvcZc