Using the Type Tools in Illustrator

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to do the following:

1. Utilize the type tool
2. Utilize the area type tool
3. Utilize the type on a path tool
4. Utilize the vertical type tool
5. Utilize the vertical area type tool
6. Utilize the vertical type on a path tool
7. Linking a text thread

The ability to properly and correctly apply text in an Illustrator file is as important as applying graphics and effects. The type tool has five sub-tools, each with their own specialized uses. This tutorial shows you how to utilize each.

Getting started

Before you begin you’ll need to start Adobe Illustrator and then create a new file.

• Start Adobe Illustrator.
• Choose File > New to open a new untitled document. Click on the Size drop-down menu and select the 800 x 600 preset. Choose the landscape orientation. Also, make sure RGB is selected under Color Mode.

Type Tool

The type tool is the most basic of the type-style tools. It creates a horizontal text area independent of other shapes. All of the type tools can be modified with the use of the type palette. A more complete instruction on the abilities and uses of the type palette is included in a separate tutorial. The type tool can create a type area two different ways.

Select the type tool () and click anywhere in the artboard. A type area has been created that is strictly bound to the text you enter. This is called point type. Type a sentence, any sentence. Now, select the selection tool (). Notice the empty squares that bind the sentence.

These are similar to the anchor points that create other objects in Illustrator. Click and drag these squares to change the dimensions of the text. Similarly to working with shapes, there are keys you can hold down to change the way you manipulate text.

Holding down the Alt key while clicking and dragging lets you expand/contract the text area about its center, instead of a corner or a side.

Holding down the Shift key while clicking and dragging lets you contract/expand the text in the same proportions as the original.

You can also combine both to proportionally expand/contract the text about its center.

The second way to create text with the type tool is to click and drag an area in the artboard. Unlike the first method, the text area can be contracted/expanded independently of the text, and is not bound to it. Select the type tool (). Click and drag a text area in the artboard. Type a sentence, any sentence. Select the selection tool () and use the empty squares to resize the text box. Resizing only controls what is or is not visible.

Area Type Tool

The area type tool is used to enter horizontal text into an already existing shape such as a square, polygon, ellipse, etc. Draw a shape. Select the area type tool () by clicking on the type tool () and waiting until the type tool flyout appears. All other type tools featured in this lesson can be selected from the type tool flyout. Releasing the mouse button over the small arrow (circled above) at the outside of the flyout will remove it from the toolbar completely.

With the area type tool () selected, move the cursor over the path of the shape and click once. A blinking cursor should appear at the upper-left-most corner.

If this window appears, you missed the object’s path. Please try again.

Once becoming a text area, the object loses all of its characteristics such as stroke and fill color or gradients. As you enter text, word and line breaks will conform to the outline of the shape. You can even rotate the shape to change how the text appears. When a text area is selected, choose Type > Area Type Options.

Area Type Options let you configure width, height, rows (number and size), columns (number and size), offset (equivalent of padding), and text flow options.

If you have more to type in an area, but there’s no space left, you could increase the size of the area. Choose the selection tool () and drag the boundaries to a desirable size.

When there is text in an area that is hidden due to inadequate space, a small red box will appear along the border.

Two other options include either decreasing the font size or linking the text thread among multiple areas, both of which are covered later.

Type on a Path Tool

Adding text to a path is one of the more visually interesting applications available with the type tools. The type on a path tool can bind a text thread to a line or the top of an object. You can even place the type on the inside of an object. Select the ellipse tool (), draw an ellipse of any size. Select the type on a path tool () by clicking on the type tool () and waiting until the type tool flyout appears. Click anywhere on the path of that ellipse. Type a sentence, but when you’re done do not press the enter key as you would when using a word processing program, simply choose the selection tool (). Pressing enter inserts a line break and results in a red square mentioned in the previous section. Using the selection tool, click and drag the blue line sticking out perpendicularly from the type area’s path, circled in red below.

Use this to slide the text wherever you want along the area’s path. Moving your cursor inside the path moves the text inside as well. When a text path is selected, choose Type > Type on a Path > Type on a Path Options.

Type on a Path Options let you choose a type effect, how it is aligned to the path, type spacing, and whether or not you want it flipped over the path.

Path type effects A. Rainbow B. Skew C. 3D Ribbon D. Stair Step E. Gravity

Vertical Type Tool

The vertical type tool works the same way as the type tool, except text is displayed vertically. Likewise, there are two ways to create vertical type. The first way is to choose the vertical type tool () by clicking on the type tool () and waiting until the type tool flyout appears. Click once in the artboard. The text you enter sets the boundary and the type is bound to these constraints. This is called point type. Using the selection tool () to click and drag these boxes will change the shape of the text. There are keys you can hold down to change the way you manipulate text.

Holding down the Alt key while clicking and dragging lets you expand/contract the text area about its center, instead of a corner or a side.

Holding down the Shift key while clicking and dragging lets you contract/expand the text in the same proportions as the original.

The second way to create text with the vertical type tool is to click and drag an area in the artboard. Unlike the first method, the text area can be contracted/expanded independently of the text, and is not bound to it. Select the vertical type tool (). Click and drag a text area in the artboard. Type a sentence, any sentence. Select the selection tool () and use the empty squares to resize the text box. Resizing only controls what is or is not visible.

Vertical Area Type Tool

The vertical area type tool is used to enter vertical text into an already existing shape such as a square, polygon, ellipse, etc. Draw a shape. Select the vertical area type tool () by clicking on the type tool () and waiting until the type tool flyout appears.

With the vertical area type tool () selected, move the cursor over the path of the shape and click once.A blinking cursor should appear at the upper-right-most corner.

If this window appears, you missed the object’s path. Please try again.

Once becoming a text area, the object loses all of its characteristics such as stroke and fill color or gradients. As you enter text, word and line breaks will conform to the outline of the shape. You can even rotate the shape to change how the text appears. When a text area is selected, choose Type > Area Type Options.

Area Type Options let you configure width, height, rows (number and size), columns (number and size), offset (equivalent of padding), and text flow options.

If you have more to type in an area, but there’s no space left, you could increase the size of the area. Choose the selection tool ( ) and drag the boundaries to a desirable size.

When there is text in an area that is hidden due to inadequate space, a small red box will appear along the border.

Two other options include either decreasing the font size or linking the text thread among multiple areas, both of which are covered later.

Vertical Type on a Path Tool

Placing type on a path can be a wonderful effect to add to your artwork, but sometimes it looks better if the text moves vertically rather than horizontally. When this is the case, you will want to use the vertical type on a path tool ().

Horizontal type on a path (left) compared to vertical type on a path (right)

Select the vertical type on a path tool () by clicking on the type tool () and waiting until the type tool flyout appears. Click anywhere on the path of that ellipse. Type a sentence, but when you’re done do not press the enter key as you would when using a word processing program, simply choose the selection tool (). Pressing enter inserts a line break and results in a red square mentioned in the previous section. Using the selection tool, click and drag the blue line sticking out perpendicularly from the type area’s path, circled in red below.

Use this to slide the text wherever you want along the area’s path. Moving your cursor inside the path moves the text inside as well. When a text path is selected, choose Type > Type on a Path > Type on a Path Options.

Type on a Path Options let you choose a type effect, how it is aligned to the path, type spacing, and whether or not you want it flipped over the path.

Path type effects A. Rainbow B. Skew C. 3D Ribbon D. Stair Step E. Gravity

Modifying Text

You can change fonts, font sizes, and appearances rather easily. With the selection tool (), double-clicking on text will open it for modifying, and selects the type tool () for you. You can use this to highlight text much in the same way as with word processing software. After the desired text is highlighted, right-click to view the options.

Options for text include a complete font list, a list of recently used fonts, and text sizes. Simply move the cursor over what you want to change about the text and choose.

If you want to change the text’s color, highlight the desired text and double-click the stroke color box (). Choose a color and click OK. Other ways to modify text are included in the type palette, which will be included in a separate tutorial.

Linking a Text Thread

As mentioned before, trying to fit more text than a text area can fit will result in a small, red box. Linking a text thread among multiple objects is an easy process. Linked type objects can be any shape; however, they must be (horizontal or vertical) area type or type on a path (not point type).

The box marked with an A is called the “in port,” and the box marked B is called the “out port” of a text area.

To link a text thread, click on either the in port or the out port. The in port will make the text begin in a previous text area to be created which continues into the current area; the out port will make the text begin in the current area and continue into a new area to be created. The cursor now becomes the “loaded text” icon. It looks like when held over empty artboard space, and will create a new text area if you click the mouse button. The area created will be identical to the original in shape and size. The cursor looks like when held over another shape. Clicking here will link the text thread to this object. Links between areas/objects are signified by a thick line, circled in red below.