How To Bold Text In Adobe Illustrator

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In the field of graphic design, Adobe Illustrator is widely recognized as one of the top software choices. Its array of features includes the capability to embolden text, a crucial tool for producing visually striking designs. Whether designing a logo or a banner, bold text can have a powerful effect. In this blog, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of emboldening text in Adobe Illustrator.

Creating Text

Before we get into bolding text, let’s first cover how to create text on Adobe Illustrator:

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document.
2. Select the 'Text' tool in the toolbox, which looks like a capital 'T'.
3. Click anywhere on your document to create a text box and start typing your text.
4. Once done, click the 'Selection' tool in the toolbox to deselect the text box.

This creates a simple text on your document which can be edited as per your requirements.

Bolding Text in Adobe Illustrator

To bold the text in Adobe Illustrator, follow these steps:

1. Use the 'Selection' tool to click on the text you want to bold. This will select the text.
2. Go to the 'Character' panel on the right side of the screen. If you can't see it, go to 'Window' in the top menu and select 'Character' from the dropdown menu.
3. In the 'Character' panel, click on the 'Bold' button. If your chosen font has a bold variant, the text will change to bold immediately.

Note: Not all fonts have a bold variant. If the ‘Bold’ button is not clickable, it means that your chosen font doesn’t support bolding. In this case, you will need to either select a different font or use the Faux Bold function.

Using the Faux Bold Function

If your font does not have a bold variant, you can use the Faux Bold function to create a similar effect. Here’s how:

1. Select the text you want to bold.
2. Go to the 'Appearance' panel on the right side of the screen. If it's not visible, go to 'Window' in the top menu and select 'Appearance' from the dropdown menu.
3. In the 'Appearance' panel, click on the 'Add New Effect' button at the bottom (it looks like a fx).
4. Go to 'Path' > 'Offset Path'.
5. Enter a small number (like 0.01) in the 'Offset' field and click 'OK'.

This will make your text appear bolder. Remember that Faux Bold is not a true bold and might not look as good as a real bold font, especially at larger sizes.

Conclusion

Learning how to bold text in Adobe Illustrator is crucial for creating compelling designs. Always remember to select a typeface that supports bolding for the best results. With this guide, you should now be able to bold text in Adobe Illustrator with ease.