Create a Retro 70s Striped Text Effect
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Setting up the Document
- Creating the Colour Palette
- Adding Text
- Applying Shear Effect
- Creating the Stripy Text Effect
- Using the Appearance Panel
- Adding Stroke and Transform Effects
- Applying Gradient for Striping
- Finishing Touches with Textures
- Conclusion
Creating a Retro 70s Striped Text Effect in Adobe Illustrator
Are You a fan of the retro 70s vibe? Do you want to Create a cool and unique text effect that captures the essence of that era? Look no further! In this tutorial, we will guide you step by step on how to create a striped text effect with a retro 70s vibe using Adobe Illustrator.
Introduction
The 70s was an iconic era known for its vibrant colors and stylish designs. By layering up a series of strokes and fills with Illustrator's Appearance panel, we can recreate that nostalgic feel in our text. The best part is, by using live text, we can still edit and modify the wording.
Setting up the Document
To begin, let's set up a new document in Adobe Illustrator. It's helpful to lay out a series of temporary colored shapes to act as the color palette. You can find great color schemes by Googling for images of 70s brands or by using websites such as ColourLovers.com. Once you have your palette ready, you can move on to creating your retro text effect.
Creating the Colour Palette
Start by drawing a small square somewhere on the artboard and replacing the default black stroke with the first color from your palette. Use the ALT key to make copies of the Shape and fill each copy with a different color from your palette. By using the Transform Again shortcut, you can quickly create a series of blocks to contain as many colors as you need. Double click each shape to edit its color in the toolbar.
Adding Text
Now that we have our color palette set up, it's time to lay out the text on the artboard. You can use any font style you like, but we recommend using a script font for that authentic retro feel. One of our favorites is the No.Seven font, which comes bundled with additional characters, giving you endless configuration options.
Applying Shear Effect
To give the text a subtle rise effect, we can use the Shear function. Go to Object > Transform > Shear and enter 90 degrees in the Angle box. If you're using a sans-serif font, you can skip this step. The rise effect works particularly well with script fonts.
Creating the Stripy Text Effect
Now, let's move on to creating the stripy text effect. Make sure you have the Appearance panel visible from under the Window menu. Clear the default black fill from the toolbar and click the Add New Fill icon in the Appearance panel. Use the eyedropper tool to Apply the first color block from your palette as the fill. Select the Stroke in the Appearance panel and apply the brown color. Increase the stroke weight to 10pt.
To prevent the outlines of each letter from overlapping, drag the stroke underneath the Fill in the Appearance panel. With the Stroke selected, click the FX icon at the bottom of the Appearance panel and choose Transform. Enter 1px in both the Horizontal and Vertical Move settings. Turn on Preview and adjust the number of copies to determine the size of the shadow effect.
Continue this process by adding new strokes for each color block in your palette. Drag each stroke to the bottom of the Appearance panel and apply the Transform effect with increasing numbers of copies.
Using the Appearance Panel
The Appearance panel is where all the magic happens in creating this retro text effect. By layering strokes and fills and applying various transform effects, we can achieve a unique and visually appealing result. The best part is that the live text remains editable, giving you the flexibility to make changes later on.
Adding Stroke and Transform Effects
To enhance the depth of the text, we can add stroke and transform effects. By increasing the stroke weight and applying transform effects, we can create a shadow-like effect that adds dimension to the text. Experiment with different stroke weights and transform settings to achieve the desired effect.
Applying Gradient for Striping
To create the stripy appearance inside the text face, we'll use a clever technique with the Gradient tool. Swap the beige fill for a black to white gradient in the Gradient panel. Alter the gradient handles to flow from green to beige, using the eyedropper tool to sample the Relevant hues from your color scheme. By adding extra points in the gradient, you can incorporate the other colors from your palette. Adjust the angle of the gradient to match the shear angle of the text.
Finishing Touches with Textures
To give the text that authentic old t-shirt look, we can add distressed textures. You can download a texture pack from Spoon Graphics and place one of the texture images over the artwork. Use the Transparency panel to apply a mask, which will erase the colors and create a cracked and worn effect. You can further customize the texture placement to achieve the desired result.
Conclusion
And there you have it! By following these step-by-step instructions, you can create a cool retro 70s striped text effect in Adobe Illustrator. The Appearance panel and clever use of strokes, fills, and gradient tools allow you to achieve a unique and visually striking result. Don't forget to experiment with different colors, fonts, and textures to make the effect your own.