Here’s simple star bust gradient text effect using just the ‘Stroke’ style from the ‘Blending Options’.

For this example I chose a Handwriting Font just to reveal the curves a little more.

Star Burst Gradient Text

  1. In the ‘Layers Palette’ Right Click/Control Click on the font layer, and from the context menu, choose ‘Blending Modes’.

    Star Burst Gradient Text

  2. At the Blending Modes apply the ‘Stroke’ settings that I have captured below.
    The thing to note here, is the ‘Fill Type’. I used ‘Gradient, with ‘Star Burst’ style. This will allow the gradient to follow the direction of the stroke, as opposed to a just flat Linear direction.

    Star Burst Gradient Text

    This is how it looks once I applied the ‘Stroke’ blending style.

    Star Burst Gradient Text

  3. Now back in the ‘Layers Palette’, drag the ‘Fill’ slider to the 0% and all that remains is the Stroke Effect.
    Nothing overly fancy, but just to make you aware of the ‘Gradient/Star Burst Style’, thats often overlooked.

    Star Burst Gradient Text

Here’s another variation.

Star Burst Gradient Text

And also works great on shapes and complex shapes.

Star Burst Gradient Text