How to Create a Live Ink Bleed Text Effect in Illustrator

Illustrator Text Effects

When you want to add a bold, grungy, or distressed look to your text designs, the ink bleed effect is perfect for giving your typography an organic, hand-printed feel. It's a versatile effect, ideal for projects like posters, album covers, logos, or even custom stationery, where you want your text to stand out with an imperfect, artistic touch. Today, I’ll show you how easily you can create this effect in Illustrator and keep your text editable, in case you notice a mistake after applying the effect.

Step 1

Open Illustrator and make a new file at any size you want. Today, I will make mine at 1800 x 1200 px.

Step 2

Select the Type Tool (T) and type your text using any font you want. I will be using "CocoSharp Heavy" at 400pt.

Step 3

With your text selected go to Effect > Rasterize. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 4

Go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to about 30 and click OK.

Step 5

Next, go to Effect > Effect Gallery.

Step 6

Under the "Sketch" folder select the "Stamp" effect. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 7

Again, go to Effect > Effect Gallery, but this time select the "Torn Edges effect. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 8

If you want to make the effect more prominent you can adjust the Gaussian Blur effect in the Appearance Panel. To do so, go to Window > Appearance.

Step 9

Click on the "Gaussian Blur" effect. Adjust the Radius value to your liking and click OK.

A Final Note:

Now that you know how to make a Live Ink Bleed text effect, you can edit your text as you normally do in Illustrator as well to change the font and the size to perfectly match your design.