Emboss & Metallic Effects Using Channels & Curves

Open a new canvas rename it Emboss & metallic effect , 944 x 620, 180 dpi, and white background. Fill with black.

Step 1: Step 1

Create a new layer, set foreground to a mid grey. Select your shape (works best on shapes, text depends on size and density as to outcome). This works best on a solid shape.

Step 2: Step 2

Ctrl+Click on the shape layer and open channel palette (Window/Channel). Click on the new channel icon at the bottom of the palette and fill selection with white. Keep selection.

Step 3: Step 3

Filter Blur/Gaussian Blur at 10, repeat at 5 and then 2. (Amount of blurring will depend on size and density of shapes/text). (Text is likely to need much less blur, say 5, 2, and 1).