Adding multiple outlines to text and numbers is a great way to add interest and value to your T-shirt
prints. Graphics expert, Dane Clement shows you how it's done
One of the most popular looks in
decorated sports and teamwear is
achieved by printing names and numbers
that are enhanced with two or
three outlined colours. It's an easy technique to
master and an effective way of making a player's
name 'pop off' the back of their shirt, or a team
or sponsor's name more visually interesting.
For the examples shown here, I took the
team's colours and enhanced the grey text with
a black outline, followed by a white outline,
then a red outline, and finally a black drop shadow.
Picture the text in flat grey and compare that
with the versions here: the multiple outline effect
adds real interest to the design and serves
to raise the perceived value of the printed item.
This effect can be created in Adobe Illustrator
and CorelDraw. In this article I've presented a
side-by-side comparison to show the final results
using each program.
If you are intending to print the design digitally,
you might want to use either a gradient
or a texture, as opposed to a flat colour, for the
main text. This helps camouflage any print head
imperfections that can sometimes cause banding
in the artwork.
If you're planning to screen print the design,
be sure to use only spot colours when creating
the artwork. Doing so will allow you to easily
print out a separation for each colour.
Setting up spot colours
It's important to use only spot colours when creating your multiple outline
effects. Here's how to set up spot colours in the Adobe Illustrator
and CorelDraw programs.
Adobe Illustrator spot colours
1. Choose a colour you want to use in your swatches palette. In this
case I've chosen grey. Double click the grey swatch to open the Swatch
Options window. Give it a Name – I've used 'Gray'. Change the Color
Type to Spot Color. Click OK.
2. The swatch should have changed. It should now have a white triangle
in the lower right corner that has a black dot in the middle. This
is the icon for a spot colour. If screen printing, you should always be
using this type of colour.
CorelDraw spot colours
1. To generate spot colours in CorelDraw, go to Window Menu > Color
Palettes > Palette Editor. In the editor window, click on the drop down
menu at the top and select User Palettes > Custom Spot Colors. Click
on the Add Color button and add the colours you want.
2. In order to use the spot colours you just
created, go to Window > Dockers > Color
Palette Browser. In the Color Palette Browser
window, select User's Palettes and click the
box in front of Custom Spot Colors.
Step-by-step
Once you've set up your graphics program for
spot colours, you can move on to creating designs
that use the multiple outline effect. How
you do this depends on whether you are using
Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw. Either way, it's a
quick and easy technique to learn. Here are the
step-by-step instructions for both programs…
Creating multiple outlines in Adobe Illustrator
Step 1 Start by typing the text you want to
work with.
Step 2 At the top of the screen, colorize the
text with grey, and stroke it with black
Step 3 With the type still selected, go to Edit
Menu > Copy, and then Edit > Paste In Back.
Don't click off of the text just yet.
Step 4 With the text still selected, change
the colour of the stroke and enlarge the size of
the stroke. You won't see a change at this point,
because I chose white for this example, but you
will see the change made here after you've completed
the next step.
Step 5 Since you didn't click off of the type,
it's still selected. Go to Edit Menu > Copy, and
then Edit > Paste In Back. This time I changed
the stroke colour to red and increased the
stroke weight to 19 points. Now you can see the
white outline that was created in Step 4.
Step 6 Now, repeat the steps described
above. With the type still selected, go to the Edit
Menu > Copy, and then Edit Menu > Paste
In Back. Here, I've changed both the fill colour
and the stroke colour to black. With the text still
selected, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to
move the text in, back down, and to the left. This
gives the effect of a solid drop shadow.
Step 7 Click and drag with your mouse to select
all the elements on the page. Alternatively,
click on Select > All.
Step 8 Go to Object Menu > Group. This
groups everything as one element, making it
easier to move things around without fear of
ruining the arrangement of the individual elements.
You can now use your grouped text (or numbers)
as a single graphic element that can be
combined with other text, numbers, objects or
logos in your finished design.
Creating multiple outlines in CorelDraw
Step 1 Start by typing the text you want to
work with.
Step 2 Go to the Object Manager. Select the
Paragraph Text object and right click. Select
Convert To Curves. Since you are adding multiple
outlines, you need to make a few copies of
your type. Go to Edit Menu > Copy, and then
Edit Menu > Paste. This will place the copy
right on top of the original. Repeat this one
more time.
Step 3 Now with your top object selected in
the Object Manager, select an initial colour for
that object. Then select the interactive Contour
tool.
Step 4 With the Contour tool selected, move
the cursor over the type, click the left mouse
button, and slowly drag down.
Step 5 Drag this one out to about .051 offset.
You can set the size and colour of the outline at
the top of your screen. Make sure your step is
set to '1', otherwise your colour will be off the
further out you go.
Step 6 Now go to the Object Manager and
select the curve object below the one we just
worked on. Using the Interactive Contour tool,
drag out another line. I chose to fill this with
white. Now select the last object from your
Object Manager. Using the Interactive Contour
tool, add a red outline.
Step 7 With your third curve object still selected,
go to Edit Menu > Copy, and then Edit
Menu > Paste. Set the outline and fill colours
of this object to black. Go to Arrange > Order
> To Back Of Layer. With that object still selected,
move it slightly down and to the left to
create a drop shadow effect.
Step 8 Using the Pick Tool, click and drag
a box around all of the type to select it. Right
click on the highlighted objects in the Object
Manager and select Group. This will make it
easier to control and move the elements around
without altering the way they are arranged in
relation to one another.
That's it! You can combine your outlined object with different text, numbers, objects or logos to
create a polished finished design, as shown below…
IMAGES is published by: CN Publishing, 9a, Kings Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1ED, England.
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IMAGES website designed and hosted by Cyberscreen Internet Services
Dane Clement is renowned for his expertise in
computer graphics and colour separations. He
works as an application specialist and is the
founder of Great Dane Graphics – a supplier
of high quality vector artwork for garment
decoration.
Web: www.greatdanegraphics.com
Most recent articles by Dane Clement:
Enhancing type using Layer Styles
IMAGES' computer graphics expert Dane Clement gets creative with Photoshop Layer Styles to show how easy it is to produce stunning edge effects and fills for digitally printed type…
Optimising Photos for Print
IMAGES' computer graphics expert, Dane Clement provides some essential tips on how to manipulate
photographic files to give the best possible printed results…
Brush up on your Paint Skills
Dane Clement puts the latest version of Corel Painter through its paces and gives his expert opinion
on both the full program and its 'little brother' – Painter Essentials.
Other articles that may be of interest:
Dane Clement
DSC2.0 Files for Raster Art
Dane Clement explains how to convert colour-separated raster artwork into a simple DSC2.0 file and benefit from significant time savings…
Scott Fresener
All About Index Colour Separation
Scott Fresener provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to producing index colour separations.
Scott Fresener
How to print halftone dots the Easy Way!
Scott Fresener
provides a festive
treat with his guide
to the fuss-free
printing of halftones
on textiles…
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reversed and worn as a fleece with waterproof lining.
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smart addition to any school uniform,” according to Regatta.
The brand also offers the KW943 Kids Breathable Packaway II Jacket
and KW944 Overtrousers, and the W908 Kids Stormbreak Jacket and
W808 Overtrousers. "These continue to be great sellers in the schoolwear
market," says Regatta.
www.regattacorporatewear.com.
New bags and jackets from Regatta
Regatta’s schoolwear offering for 2010/11 goes from strength to
strength with the launch of a new range of school bags.
The new bags include the TRB035 Kids Gymsac, TRB036 Book Bag,
TRB039 School Backpack 20l, TRB008 Highschool Rucksack 10l,
TRB029 Scholar Backpack 20l, and TRB058 Sports Bag 30l. All feature
ample areas for branding and will be available in a range of colours
that co-ordinate with the Regatta schoolwear range.
The brand’s school jackets include the TRW432 Fresher – a lightweight
water-repellent and windproof fleece-lined jacket, in six school
inspired colours.
The TRA652 Kids Uproar softshell is Regatta’s first kid’s softshell for
the school uniform market, and provides a sporty, stylish alternative
to conventional school outerwear. Made from resilient Regatta Softshell
fabric with water-repellent finish, it features reflective trim and a
printed name label. "This jacket is ready for the rough and tumble of
the playground,” Regatta advises.
The TRW418 Kids Dover Jacket, with its snug fleece lining and Thermoguard
insulation, is the children’s version of the popular adults’
waterproof Dover style. Made from Hydrafort fabric, the jacket’s waterproof
protection is guaranteed, states Regatta.
A staple of the Regatta schoolwear range, the TRA900 Kids Term
Time waterproof reversible jacket is made from peached polyester
with a reversible fleece inner, making it a versatile choice for the winter
term. It can be worn as either a warm lined waterproof jacket, or
reversed and worn as a fleece with waterproof lining.
The Regatta TRF542 Kids Thor III Fleece is made from 250 series
anti-pill Symmetry fleece. It has two lower pockets, an adjustable
shockcord hem on sizes 7 years and upwards, and is available in five
traditional school colours. The Kids Thor III is, "A hardwearing and
smart addition to any school uniform,” according to Regatta.
The brand also offers the KW943 Kids Breathable Packaway II Jacket
and KW944 Overtrousers, and the W908 Kids Stormbreak Jacket and
W808 Overtrousers. "These continue to be great sellers in the schoolwear
market," says Regatta.
www.regattacorporatewear.com.
Dane Clement is renowned for his expertise in
computer graphics and colour separations. He
works as an application specialist and is the
founder of Great Dane Graphics – a supplier
of high quality vector artwork for garment
decoration.
Web: 
