Easily Make a CMYK Text Effect in Illustrator
Illustrator Text Effects
Photoshop is probably your first choice when you think of giving an effect to a text; but there are times when making that same effect is easier and quicker in Illustrator, where you can make a wide range of effects that can be reused over any other text without having to make the whole effect again by using Graphic Styles. So today, I will show you how easily you can make a CMYK Text Effect in Illustrator using only the Appearance panel and then making a Graphic Style with it so 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 make mine at 1800 x 1200 px.
Step 2
Select the Type Tool (T) and type your text. In this case I will simply write "CMYK" using the Heavitas font at 400 pt.
Step 3
Set the fill to "none" in the toolbar by clicking the "none" icon.
Step 4
With the text object selected, go to Window > Appearance.
Step 5
Click on the "Add New Fill" icon and set the color to "CMYK Cyan".
Step 6
Click on "Opacity" and set the blend mode to "Multiply".
Step 7
Click on the "Add New Effect" icon and from the dropdown list select Distort & Transform > Transform.
Step 8
Apply the following settings and click OK.
Step 9
Click on the "Add New Fill" icon and set the color to "CMYK Magenta".
Step 10
Click on "Opacity" and set the blend mode to "Multiply".
Step 11
Click on the "Add New Effect" icon and from the dropdown list select Distort & Transform > Transform.
Step 12
Apply the following settings and click OK.
Step 13
Click on the "Add New Fill" icon and set the color to "CMYK Yellow".
Step 14
Click on the "Add New Effect" icon and from the dropdown list select Distort & Transform > Transform.
Step 15
Apply the following settings and click OK.
Step 16
Lastly, and just to save the effect for future use, with your object selected go to Window > Graphic Styles and simply click on the "New Graphic Style" icon. The new effect will be available to use anytime over any other text or shape that you want in the Graphic Styles panel.
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