How to Make a Comic Text Effect in Illustrator

Illustrator Text Effects

In Illustrator, just like in Photoshop, we have the ability to create a wide range of text effects. We can also apply these effects to any other text without having to make the whole effect again by using Graphic Styles. And there are many different ways to make a certain effect and make graphic styles with them. So today, I will show you how you can make a Comic Text Effect in Illustrator using only the Appearance panel. Then by making a Graphic Style with it, you can use it an unlimited number of times over any other text you want.

Step 1

Open Illustrator and make a new file at any size you want. In this case, I will set up mine at 1800 x 1200 px.

Step 2

Select the Type Tool (T) and type your text using any font that you want. I will be using "CC Biff Bam Boom" at 350 pt.

Step 3

With the text selected, go to Window > Appearance.

Step 4

Click on the "Add New Fill" icon and set the fill color to #000000.

Step 5

With the fill layer selected click on the "Add New Effect" icon. From the dropdown menu select Distort & Transform > Transform, apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 6

Again, click on the "Add New Fill" icon and set the fill color to #fff12d.

Step 7

One more time, click on the "Add New Fill" icon. Click on the down arrow button next to the color thumbnail. Click on the "Swatch Libraries Menu" icon and from the dropdown menu select Patterns > Basic Graphics > Basic Graphics_Dots and select the "6 dpi 30%" pattern fill.

Step 8

Click on the arrow icon next to the eye icon. Click on "Opacity" and set the Blending Mode to "Multiply" and the Fill to 15%.

Step 9

Select the Stroke layer. Set the color to #ffffff and the Weight to 10 pt.

Step 10

Click on the "Add New Stroke" icon. Set the fill color to #000000 and the Weight to 10 pt.

Step 11

With the fill layer selected Click on the "Add New Effect" icon. From the dropdown menu select Path > Offset Path, apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 12

Again, click on the "Add New Effect" icon. From the dropdown menu select Distort & Transform > Transform, apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 13

Lastly, and with the effect already made, save it as a Graphic Style to use later over any other text without having to make the whole effect again. To do that, select your text, go to Window > Graphic Styles and then click on the "New Graphic Style" icon in the Graphic Styles panel.

A Final Note:

The next time you want to use this effect over any other text simply type your text and select the graphic style you just made from the Graphic Styles Panel.