An InDepth Guide to Outlining Fonts in Adobe InDesign

When working with graphic design or print layout in Adobe InDesign, outlining fonts is a crucial step for achieving professional results. This process converts text into editable shapes, ensuring that the text remains legible even if the original fonts are missing.

1. Selecting the Text and Selecting the Outline Option

First, you need to select the fonts you wish to outline. Once the text is selected, you can choose to outline the text by following these steps:

Click on the Type Text Tool located in the toolbar. Select the text you want to outline. Look for the Quick Actions Menu on the right-hand side of your window. Choose the Create Outlines option from the menu.

Alternatively, if you prefer to navigate through the menu:

Select the text frame containing your text. Locate the Type menu in the top menu bar. Click on Create Outlines, which is the 10th option in the dropdown menu.

2. Customizing the Outline

Once your text is outlined, you can customize it to fit your design needs:

2.1 Choosing Text Colors

To set the color of your outlined text, open the Swatches Box. Here, you can choose the fill color and stroke color for your text. The process is similar to customizing the color of any other object in InDesign:

Open the Swatches palette (Window > Swatches). Select the desired fill and stroke colors.

2.2 Adjusting the Stroke Width

To adjust the width of the stroke, which defines the thickness of the outline, follow these steps:

Open the Stroke palette (Window > Stroke). Select the outline and set the width to your desired value.

3. Advanced Outlining Techniques

In addition to basic outlining, InDesign offers more advanced techniques to further control how your text is outlined:

3.1 Using the Type > Create Outlines Feature

For more comprehensive control over your outlined text, consider using the Create Outlines feature under the Type menu:

Select the text you wish to outline. Choose Type > Create Outlines.

This method offers additional options for refining the outline, such as creating curves or adjusting the distance between the original text and the outline.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of outlining fonts in Adobe InDesign is essential for any graphic designer or layout artist. It not only enhances the visual appeal of your projects but also ensures that your design remains consistent and professional across different platforms and environments. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently outline your text and achieve the desired effects in your design work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between outlining and converting to outlines?

A: Outlining in InDesign is the process of converting text into editable shapes, making it easy to manipulate and edit. Converting to outlines, on the other hand, completely removes the text data, leaving only the shape and path information, which cannot be edited back to text.

Q: Can I still edit the text after outlining?

A: After creating outlines, you can still modify the stroke width, color, and other styles, but you cannot edit the text itself. If you need to make changes to the text, you may need to create new outlines.