Create Multiple Outline Text Effects in Corel or Illustrator

A completed sample of multiple outline type created in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite (left) and Adobe Illustrator (right).

This effect can be created in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite or Abobe Illustrator and is easy to do in either program. In this article I will show you a side-by-side comparison of how to achieve this effect using each program.

Use Spot Colors
If you are using traditional screen printing, use only spot colors to create this design. Doing so will allow you to easily print out a separation film for each color. Here’s how to set that up properly:

CorelDRAW Spot Colors

Step A.) To generate Spot Colors, go to Window Menu > Color Palettes > Palette Editor. In the editor window, use the dropdown menu to select User Palettes > Custom Spot Colors. Click on the “Add Color” button and add the colors you want.

Step B.) In order to use the Spot Colors we just created, go to Window > Dockers > Color Palette Browser. In the Color Palette Browser window, select User’s Palettes and click the box in front of Custom Spot Colors.

Illustrator Spot Colors
Step A.) Choose a color you want to use in your swatches palette. In this case I’ll use gray. Double click the gray swatch to open the Swatch Options window. Give it a name. Change the Color Type to Spot Color. Click OK.

Step B.) The swatch should have changed. It should now have a white triangle in the lower right corner that has a black dot in the middle. This is the icon for a Spot Color. If screen printing, you should always be using this type of color.

DTG User Note
If you plan to print a multiple-outline text design using a digital direct-to-garment printer, use a gradient for the main text rather than a flat color. A gradient will camouflage imperfections that can occur with digital printing such as banding. If there is any banding, a gradient will make it much less noticeable and therefore still saleable to your customer.

Multiple Outline Text in CorelDRAW
Step 1.) Start by typing the text you want to work with.

Step 2.) Go to the Object Manager. Select the Paragraph Text object and right click. From the contextual menu, choose Convert To Curves. Since we are adding multiple outlines, we need to make a few copies of our type. From the top menu, select Edit > Copy, then Edit > Paste. This will place the copy right on top of the original. Repeat this one more time.

Step 3.) Now, with just the top object selected in Object manager, select an initial color for that object. (Remember, for screen printing seps, you will want to use Custom Spot Colors.) Now, select the Interactive Contour Tool.

Step 4.) With the Contour Tool selected, move the cursor over the type, click the left mouse button and slowly drag down.

Step 5.) Drag this one out about .051 offset. You can set the size and color of the outline at the top of your screen. Make sure the step is set to 1, otherwise the color will be off the further out you go.

Step 6.) Now go to the Object Manager and select the curve object below the one we just worked on. Using the Interactive Contour Tool, drag out another line. Fill this with white. Now select the last object from our Object Manager. Using the Interactive Contour Tool, add a red Outline.

Step 7.) With our third curve object still selected, go to Edit > Copy and then Edit > Paste. Set the Outline and Fill of this object to black. From the top menu, choose Arrange > Order > Back of Layer. With the text still selected, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the text in, back, down and to the left to create a drop shadow effect.

Step 8.) With the Pick Tool, click and drag a box around all of the type to select it. Right-click on the highlighted objects in the Object Manager and select Group. This will make it easier to move around and control.

Multiple Outline Text in Illustrator
Step 1.) Start by typing the text you want to work with.

Step 2.) At the top of the screen, colorize with gray. Stroke it with black.

Step 3.) With the type still selected, from the top menu, select Edit > Copy, then Edit > Paste in Back. Don’t click off of the text just yet.

Step 4.) With the text still selected, change the color of the Stroke and enlarge the size of the Stroke. You won’t see a change, because I chose white. But, you will see the next one.

Step 5.) Since I didn’t click off of the type, it’s still selected. From the top menu, again choose Edit > Copy, then Edit > Paste in Back. This time I changed the Stroke Color to red and enlarged the Stroke weight to 19 points. Now the white outline can be seen.

Step 6.) Now, repeat these steps. With the type is still selected, from the top menu, choose Edit > Copy, then Edit > Paste in Back. This time, I changed the Fill color to black and the Stroke color to black. With the text still selected, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move the text in, back, down and to the left. This gives the effect of a solid drop shadow.

Step 7.) Click-drag with your mouse to select everything. (You can “select all” two other ways: choose Select > All from the top menu or use the keyboard shortcut Cmd/Ctrl-A).

Step 8.) From the top menu, select Object > Group. This groups everything as one element, which allows you to move things around much easier without fear of ruining the look.

Dane Clement, well-known for his expertise in computer graphics and color separations, works as an application specialist at SPSI in Minneapolis. Dane also is the founder of Great Dane Graphics, a supplier of high-quality stock artwork, and author of “T-Shirt Artwork Simplified” books for Adobe and Corel users. For more information or to comment on this article, contact Dane via greatdanegraphics.com or tshirtartworksimplified.com.