How to Outline Text in Illustrator

Turn text in graphic shapes.

Adding text to an illustration can enhance a design immensely and is often necessary for logos and posters. Although Adobe Illustrator has many tools for editing the format of your text, it is often necessary to make design changes and add graphic elements to the text font. Converting type to outlines accomplishes this by turning the text into vector objects. This allows you to integrate the text more closely with the illustration and create unique designs using the text as a starting point.

Instructions

1. Make sure the text that you want to change to outlines is in a text frame or on a path by itself. Illustrator can only convert an entire string to outlines.

2. Format the text and apply any effects. You will not be able to edit the text using the text-editing tools after converting the text to outlines.

3. Select the Selection tool.

4. Select the text frame or text path.

5. Click on the "Type" menu and select "Create Outlines." Illustrator outlines the font, placing anchor points and a stroke around the shape of the text.

Tips & Warnings

• You will lose all text editing capabilities once the text is outlined.

References

• Adobe Illustrator CS5: Convert Type to Outlines