The Right Way to Stroke Text Stroked text? I know what you're thinking...

add a stroke, text is outlined, how hard was that? Not very hard. But it isn't the professional way, and once you try this tutorial and add these few simple steps, you'll see why. And you'll never look at outlined text the same way again! This method works for all vector applications, like Freehand, CorelDRAW and Expression. Your program may have a different method of copying or aligning, but the song remains the same. Or something like that.

Step 1. Create your text in the font size and color you want.

Step 2. With the text selected, click on it with the selection tool (black arrow, KB shortcut V), and hold down the alt key as you drag it to make a duplicate. Set the copy aside. You can also copy and paste, if you prefer. I just find the alt+drag method faster.

Step 3. Now add your stroke. I am adding a 1 pt stroke to this text. Notice especially the flag on the r and the loop on the k, where the curves join the straighter parts. The outline is on the inside of the text, and fills in these areas, making them look cramped.

Step 4. Go to the stroke palette (if you can't see it, go to window > stroke, or hit the F10 key) and change the stroke to 2 pt. What we're doing is making the stroke twice the size we actually want, so this

number will be different if you want a different stroke than 1. If you applied a 1.5 pt stroke, for instance, then this time you'll change it to 3 pt.

Step 5. Move the copy of the text we made in Step 2 on top of this text. Make sure the unstroked text is on the top. (If you need to, go to Object > Arrange > Send to front to move it to the front.) Now we need to align it. Select both copies on the text, either by dragging a marquee around them with the selection tool or shift-clicking on them both.

Step 6. Open the align palette. If you don't see it, go to window > align. Click on the horizontal align center button and the vertical align center button.

Step 7. The text pops into alignment with the plain unstroked text on top. Now look at the r and k again...see how much nicer that looks?

In the enlargements below compare the r and k and see what a difference this stroking method makes. Text with simple 1 pt stroke added

Text using steps 1 7 above to stroke.