Type your image using a dingbat font or import clip art into your new file. Your iamge is on a new layer, select the wand and then select the white area of your image. Save the selection under select save selection. Press G for the gradient tool and press D to make the colors black and white. In the color pallete select the color you want for the gradient.
White background give the best results.
The last step is to create a drop shadow or a perspective shadow to add depth. If your a beginner and you don't know how to do this see my other tutorial.