How can I create an embossed look in Adobe® Illustrator®?

Create a new document

Select New from the File menu.
- Type a name in the Name field
- Choose a document size from the Size drop-down menu
- From the Units menu, choose Picas or Inches
Or open a file that has black text already created in it.

New document

Save the file

Select Save as... from the File menu.
Type a name in the File name: field or keep the name you chose earlier.
Mac: Choose Adobe Illustrator Document from the Format: pop-up menu or
Windows: Choose Adobe Illustrator (*.AI) from the Save as type: pop-up menu.
Save the file in your Herff Jones > Artwork & Images folder.
Click Save.
In the Illustrator Options dialog box, keep the defaults.
- Version drop-down menu: Choose an earlier version only if you will be opening this file in an earlier version of Illustrator.
Click OK.

Create the text

Select the Type tool from Toolbox.
Click on your page and type the text using a thick font.
To change the font or type size:
Highlight the text with the Type tool.
In the Control palette, choose a Herff Jones font from the Character drop-down menu.

Font Control palette

Create the False Emboss

Create New Swatch

Create 30% Black

With the text highlighted, click on the 30% Black swatch in the Swatches palette.

Clkick on 30% swatch

Create a second text layer

Select the text with the Selection tool.
Select Copy from the Edit menu.
Select Create Outlines from the Type menu.
With the text still selected, select Paste In Front from the Edit menu.
Move the text slightly down and to the right using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Tint the text 60% Black

Open the Swatches panel
Choose New Swatch from the panel menu
- Choose Process Color from the Color Type drop-down menu
- Create the color as C=0, Y=0, M=0, K=60
- Click OK
Highlight the text with the Type tool.
Click on the 60% Black swatch in the Swatches palette.
Click on the Selection tool; the text will be highlighted.
Go to the Object menu, select Arrange, then Send To Back.
Select Create Outlines from the Type menu.
Save the file.

Create third text layer

Select the top layer of text with the Selection tool.
Select Paste In Front from the Edit menu.
Move the text slightly up and to the left using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Highlight the text with the Type tool.
- Click on the White swatch in the Swatches palette.
Click on the Selection tool.
Go to the Object menu, select Arrange, then Send To Back. The text will disappear.
Click on the Selection tool, then Create Outlines from the Type menu.
Save the file

Create background for text

Draw a rectangle around text

Fill it with the same color as the top layer of text, in this case, 30% Black.
- Click on 30% Black in the Swatches palette.
Click on the Selection tool.
Go to the Object menu, select Arrange, then Send To Back.
Save the file.

InDesign

The Illustrator (.ai) file can be placed in InDesign
In your Herff Jones InDesign template, choose Place from the File menu.
Scroll to the Herff Jones > Artwork & Images folder.
Double click on the file name.
Click the cursor on the page.
Save the file.
Send the Illustrator file along with the InDesign file when pages are submitted.

PageMaker

Export the file as an .eps so it can be placed into PageMaker
Select Save As from the File menu:
- Windows: choose Illustrator EPS from the Save as type: pop-up menu
- Mac: choose Illustrator EPS from the Format: pop-up menu.
- Keep the same name or type a new name.
- Click Save
EPS Options dialog box
- Version: Keep the default
- Format: Choose TIFF (8-bit Color) from the pop-up menu
- Make sure Transparent is selected
Click OK
In your Herff Jones PageMaker template, choose Place from the File menu.
Scroll to the Herff Jones > Artwork & Images folder.
Double click on the file name.
Click the cursor on the page.
Save the file.
Send the Illustrator and EPS file along with the PageMaker file when pages are submitted.