Expert: Amy - 10/7/2005

Question
Hi Amy,

First of all thanks for being a part of this forum, I've learned quite a bit here.  I'm working on a PC with Illustrator CS and helping out a friend (and getting experience) to create a business logo for letter head, banners, business cards...

What I'd like to do is have red text with a gray stroke, say 5pts.  But since the artwork will be used for banners (appx. 20 feet wide), once the art is enlarged the stroke remains 5pts...which in proportion is very tiny and not noticeable.  I want to create an outline around the text and objects that will scale proportionately when resized.

Any help an guidance on the topic would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Aaron

Answer
Hi Aaron!

Nice of you to help out a friend....  story of my life and I love doing it.

Here's what I'd do to make sure you get the right proportions for your stroke when you enlarge.

I would create the artwork so that the stroke looks good at the size you're working with on the screen.  It that's 5 pts, great.  THEN when you are ready to submit the artwork to the printer's for the banner, follow these instructions:

1) Select the text.  
2) Select TEXT > CREATE OUTLINES from the menu
3) Keeping everything selected, choose OBJECT > PATH > OUTLINE STROKE.

Everything will now be filled objects, no more strokes.  Zoom in and take a look and you'll see what I mean.

I think this will get you the results you need!

Have a great weekend -
Amy Pace

PS> I use an older version of Illustrator so some of the commands I mentioned might be located in slightly different areas of the menu layout.  If you can't find something and your help file can't show you where it is, write back!