Vector Text Effects

The right text effect can be one of the most important elements in any design or illustration. Often text effects involve an interesting combination of unique vector tool usage, artistic innovation, a designers eye for font choice, drawing skills, and an illustrator's touch. In this Creative Session, take your text to the next level with these vector text effect tutorials.

Or try a free course on creating a 3D text effect in Adobe Illustrator. Master isometric grids, freeform gradients, layer styles, and much more. Here's a quick preview:

Posts in this series

Create a Glowing Neon Sign using the Appearance Palette
This tutorial shows the potential the Appearance Palette in Adobe Illustrator. We'll be building an elaborate neon sign, utilizing the Appearance Palette to...
Jared MacPherson
13 Aug 2010
Effects
How to Create an Entangled Lettering Illustration - Part 1
In this two part tutorial, we're going to look at how to create a brief typographic message from scratch. In part one we'll go over the basics of...
Alex Beltechi
27 Dec 2010
Typography
How to Create an Entangled Lettering Illustration - Part 2
In the second part of this tutorial series, we're going to bring this treatment to life with some color. Stick around to learn about casting shadows and...
Alex Beltechi
28 Dec 2010
Typography
How to Create a Colorful 3D Text Effect
In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a colorful three-dimensional text effect. We'll use several Illustrator effects, built in patterns, a...
Andrei Marius
29 Mar 2011
Text Effects
Create a Variety of 3D Lettering Effects for Poster Design
In this tutorial I will showcase three different approaches for creating simple 3D lettering effects in the context of poster design. Onward and upward we go!
Jesse Hora Dot Com
7 Feb 2011
Designing
Create a Green Viscous Text Effect
In the following tutorial expand an existing font, use illustrator's 3D tools to add dimension, and then add a green viscous text effect. If you want to add...
Andrei Marius
5 Jan 2011
Text Effects
Learn to Create a Variety of Script Lettering
In this tutorial I will showcase three different approaches, which result in three different script lettering styles. We will start with a nice simple basic...
Jesse Hora Dot Com
24 Aug 2012
Text Effects
Create a Furry Calligram in Illustrator
In this tutorial I will walk you through creating your own calligram inspired by a dog named Poppy. You'll learn how to manipulate a typeface through to...
Sharon Archer-Thomas
18 Oct 2010
Text Effects
Learn to Create a Variety of Beveled Lettering
In this tutorial I will showcase three different approaches, which result in three different beveled lettering styles. Starting with my least favorite, and...
Jesse Hora Dot Com
4 Oct 2010
Text Effects
Create a Silky Ribbon Text Effect
In the following tutorial you will use the Pen and Gradient tools to create a swirling ribbon text effect. Even though we're applying the ribbon to text, you...
Andrei Marius
20 Aug 2010
Text Effects
Getting Carried Away with Balloon Lettering
If there are balloons near by, you've probably had or will be having some fun. I love balloons! So in this tutorial I will cover the process of creating some...
Jesse Hora Dot Com
2 Aug 2010
Text Effects
Create an Organic Spring Lettering Illustration
Warm up your illustration skills with this spring-inspired tutorial for creating organic letters. Use of a Wacom tablet is recommended but not required.
Jonathan
11 Mar 2010
Typography
Create Colorful, Layered Paper Type in Illustrator
A few times a each month we revisit some of our reader’s favorite posts from throughout the history of Vectortuts+. This tutorial by Diana Berg was first...
Diana Berg
10 Jun 2011
Text Effects
How to Create Smoky Brushes and Type in Illustrator
Learn how to create a realistic smoky texture, make it into a smoke vector brush, and use it for type. This is perfect for smoky text, so let's light up our...
Mathias M. Stav
28 Sep 2020
Text Effects
How to Add Decorative Glamour to Your Ordinary Script Font
Sometimes you need to go a little bit wild with your typography. In these cases, you can either take the easy way and choose a fancy font from some of the...
Ferenc Szeles
6 Jan 2012
Text Effects
How to Create a Smokin' Western Type Treatment in Illustrator
In this easy tutorial, I will show you how to create a western type treatment primary using Illustrator's Effects. Using the effects from this tutorial, you...
Ryan Putnam
28 Dec 2012
Text Effects
Make an Old Style Sign From Scratch in CorelDRAW
Following the instructions below you will learn the steps of creating a custom sign board. The base of a good shop sign design is the text which is the...
Ferenc Szeles
3 Mar 2009
Designing
How to Create a Magnified Text Illustration
In this tutorial, we'll explain how to create a realistic magnifying glass with shapes and gradients. You'll also learn how to effectively use Illustrator's...
Simona Pfreundner
5 Dec 2008
Illustration
Create a Swirly Type Treatment
In this Illustrator tutorial I will show you how to create a swirly type treatment. With a free font, some brushes, and gradients you can easily create this...
Ryan Putnam
6 Oct 2008
Text Effects
Create a Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment
In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a fun 3D pixel font type treatment. Using a free font, gradients, and Illustrator 3D filter, you will easily...
Ryan Putnam
29 Sep 2008
Text Effects
How to Create a Trendy Retro Type Treatment
A few times a each month we revisit some of our reader’s favorite posts from throughout the history of Vectortuts+. This tutorial by Rype was first published...
Ryan Putnam
7 Oct 2011
Text Effects
Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment
In the following Illustrator tutorial, I'll teach you how to create a Green type treatment. It works great for logos and other design elements.
Ryan Putnam
17 Jun 2020
Text Effects