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How to create a Quick Embossed Text Effect

In the following Adobe Illustrator tutorial you will learn to create a quick embossed dynamic text effect using only the Appearance Panel in order to save it as a Graphic Style!

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new 1500 x 720px document (Ctrl + N). Select CMYK Color Mode, 300 PPI Raster Effects and make sure that Align New Objects to Pixel Grid is unchecked.

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2. Pick the Type Tool (T) and write the word Vectorgraphit as you see in the image below. Set the font to Slim Tony Italic, the size to 170 px and the color to C=100 M=0 Y=0 K=0.

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3. From the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke) add a 3px stroke and set the colour to C=85 M=39 Y=13 K=0. Now select the stroke from the Appearance Panel then go to Effects > Distort&Transform > Transfrom and in the dialog box enter a value of -1px for Horizontal and 1px for Vertical.

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4. From the Appearance Panel add a new stroke with a 5px width. Set it’s colour to C=85 M=50 Y=22 K=2. Now select the stroke from the Appearance Panel then go to Effects > Distort&Transform > Transfrom and in the dialog box enter a value of -2px for Horizontal and 2px for Vertical.

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5. Again from the Appearance Panel select the Fill and add an Inner Shadow (Effects > Stylize > Inner Shadow). Change the colour to Black, lower the opacity to 15% and set the blending mode to Multiply. Also set the blur to 15px the hit the ok button.

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6. Add a new White fill from the Appearance Panel. With the fill selected go to Effect > Path > Offset Path and enter a value of -5px. With the fill still selected go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur and enter a velue of 10px in the dialog box. From the Transparency Panel lower the opacity to 20% and set the Blending mode to Lighten.

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7. Again from the Appearance Panel add a third Fill (White). With the fill selected go to Effect > Path > Offset Path and enter a value of -10px. With the fill still selected go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur and enter a velue of 10px in the dialog box. From the Transparency Panel lower the opacity to 20% and set the Blending mode to Lighten.

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8. Again from the Appearance Panel add the last Fill (White). With the fill selected go to Effect > Path > Offset Path and enter a value of -15px. With the fill still selected go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur and enter a velue of 10px in the dialog box. From the Transparency Panel lower the opacity to 20% and set the Blending mode to Lighten.

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9. With the type selected (not only the fill or the stroke) add three Drop Shadows (Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow).  Make sure to enter the values as in the screenshot below. When you add a new Drop Shadow when you already have one Illustrator will say “hey you already have a drop shadow”, just enter the “Apply new Efect” button.

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10. Now pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and draw a 1500 x 720px rectangle (as big as the artboad). Fill it with C=20 M=0 Y=0 K=0.

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11. Add a new Black and White gradient fill from the Appearance Panel. With the fill selected go to the Transparency panel and lower the opacity to 20% and set the blending mode to Multiply.

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17. Add a last fill ad set the colour to C=20 M=0 Y=0 K=0. Now with the fill still selected go to Effect > Sketch > Note Paper and enter the same values as in the image below.

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18. Here is the result of our work:

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Did you enjoy this tutorial? If you want to see my work, you can find me on Behance. Thanks!

My name is Andrei Urse. I’m a graphic designer from Romania. I love creating logos and complex vector art using Illustrator, but I also use Photoshop and InDesign on a daily basis. You can find all of my work on <a href="https://www.behance.net/andrei_urse">Behance</a>.