40 Excellent Photoshop Textures and Backgrounds Tutorials

When it comes to creating backgrounds for websites, posters, and other types of designs, Photoshop provides unlimited potential. Textures are often used in backgrounds in addition to abstract effects. Textures can sometimes be created from scratch using filters and other features of Photoshop, or they can be created with the help of photographs.

In this post we’ll link to 40 tutorials that will show you how to create impressive backgrounds and textures for your own work. Follow along with of few of these tutorials and you will be creating awesome backgrounds and textures that make your designs look great.

Unique Textures without Using Brushes

This tutorial from Bittbox shows how you can easily create awesome textures of your own. You can then use these textures for all different purposes in your own designs.

Quickly Build an Abstract Background of Colored Bars

Abstract backgrounds can be useful in a wide variety of settings. This Psdtuts tutorial shows how you can create an attention-grabbing background in just a few minutes.

Texturing of Old Paper

Paper textures are so incredibly versatile. This tutorials is definitely worth following.

The Ultimate Wood Texture Tutorial

Want to create your own wood texture from scratch? It’s possible with the help of Photoshop and you can learn the process in this tutorial.

Fabric Folds

Here you’ll learn how to create realistic-looking folds.

Wrinkled Up Paper Tutorial

While this paper texture is not a realistic look, at can be very useful in the right situation.

Creating a Mac-Type Background in Photoshop

With this tutorial you’ll learn how to create an awesome abstract background that you can use for wallpapers, websites, and other projects.

Windows Vista Aurora Effect Photoshop Tutorial

Another awesome abstract background effect.

Textured Crumpled Paper

With this tutorial you’ll work with textures to create this realistic look.

Grungy Metal Texture

Creating a stunning grungy background can be quite simple, and this tutorial shows how you can do it.

Marble Texture

Here you’ll learn how to create an interesting marble texture that has sort of an abstract look.

Photorealistic Rock and Stone Textures

A realistic stone texture can be created from scratch in Photoshop.

Texture of Black Bubbles Effects

This is an abstract background that can be pretty easy to create.

Use Texture Effects to Create Beautiful Compositions

This tutorial shows how to use texture to compliment a beautiful design.

Waves Background

Another awesome and abstract background can be created by following this tutorial.

Water from Below

A semi-realistic water texture can be replicated by following along with this tutorial.

Creating a Rusty Surface Texture

Here you’ll create a realistic rusty texture from scratch in Photoshop.

Crumpled Paper Bag

Another not-quite-realistic, but still very useful paper texture.

Creating a Cool Brushed Metal Surface in Photoshop

Brushed metal can have a nice subtle texture.

Stone Texture

Another approach for creating your own stone textures is covered in this tutorial.

Create a Seamless Pattern Tile for Christmas

Sometimes a pattern can serve as the best background option.

Creating Colorful Disco Lines Effect

This tutorial from 10steps shows how to create a colorful abstract background that will certainly get attention.

Create Smoke Effect on Grungy Wallpaper

This smokey effect has a nice texture to it.

Creating an Abstract Background for Poster

Another option for an abstract background is covered in this tutorial.

How to Create Mosaic Effect in Photoshop

Mosaic abstract backgrounds can be an excellent choice, and this tutorial will guide you step-by-step.

Creating Cardiac Rate Effect with Photoshop

This is another abstract effect that may prove to be useful.

Custom Wood Texture in Adobe Photoshop

Here is another approach for creating your own wood textures from scratch in Photoshop.

Create a Futuristic Abstract Wallpaper

This futuristic effect is another option for abstract backgrounds.

Hexagon Bokeh Effect in Photoshop

The highly popular bokeh background is slightly adapted here with hexagon’s instead of circles.

Colorful Light Effect in Photoshop

Lighting effects can be an excellent choice for impressive backgrounds.

Creating an Embedded Concrete Effect Using Only Layer Styles

Here you’ll learn how to create this beautiful textured effect.

Enhancing Your Portraits with Textures

Textures can also be used to give a different look and feel to your photos, and it’s easy to implement.

5 Awesome Techniques for Using Textures in Your Designs 

Learn how to apply texture to this colorful retro design.

Guide to Creating Bokeh Textures

Another approach to creating a bokeh background.

How to Make an Awesome Grungy Paper Texture from Scratch

Bittbox shows how to make this standard paper texture much more awesome.

Reverse Grunge: Easy Texture Technique in Photoshop

Using the eraser tool you can create interesting and unique textures.

Create an Abstract Liquid Effect

Learn how to create beautiful, colorful backgrounds.

Create Bright Abstract Diagonal Lines Background

Yet another abstract background option.

How to Create Abstract Wormhole Background

An abstract space-inspired background.

Create a Pulsar Star Inspired Digital Abstract Artwork

Another space-inspired background technique is covered in this tutorial.

Published June 2nd, 2008 by Steven Snell