Photoshop Emboss Effect Tutorial

The Emboss effect makes flat artwork stand up off the page. This tutorial starts with a Stylize filter as the base, then uses layer styles to build volume, and finally pulls the highlights and shadows apart with Levels and Curves. Every menu path and value is included, so you can follow along in Online PS exactly as written.

Steps

Open your browser and go to Online PS (zaixianps.cc).
Import the image you want to work on:
File → Open, or drag the image straight into the canvas area.
Duplicate the layer (so the original stays intact) with Ctrl+J (Windows) or ⌘+J (Mac).
Open the Emboss filter:
Filter → Stylize → Emboss.
Adjust the settings, fine-tuning to taste:
• Angle – direction of the light source; 135° is the usual choice.
• Height – depth of the relief, anywhere from 0 to 10.
• Amount – strength, 0–100%.
Turn Preview on and off in the top-left corner of the dialog to compare before and after, then click OK when you like the result.
(Optional) Add detail:
① Duplicate the embossed layer, change its blending mode to Overlay, Soft Light or Multiply, and drop the opacity to 20–40%.
② Use Image → Adjustments → Levels or Curves to push the contrast further.
Save your work:
File → Export As → PNG or JPEG (the Ctrl+Shift+S shortcut works too).

Quick tips:
1️⃣ Use the Preview toggle to compare the effect instantly.
2️⃣ Blending several layers together (for example, setting the original layer to Multiply) gives the emboss more depth.
3️⃣ For a softer relief, drop Height to 2–3 and pair it with Overlay at reduced opacity.

References

Adobe Photoshop official documentation
HTML5 and the principles of modern front-end image processing
Online PS