Create Neon Text Effects in Adobe Illustrator

In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial, I will show you how to create neon text effects. These text effects are created using graphic styles. This tutorial will walk you through creating a new document, typing your text, and applying the effects. There are many different effect colors to choose from.

Creating a New Document in Adobe Illustrator

You will need to begin by creating a new document to work on. You can create the document the size you want it. Go to the top of your Illustrator window and click File > New.

Using Your Text Tool

Now you will need to select your text tool and draw your text box. Then type your text inside of the text box. Now you can change the size of the text and the style of the text.

Opening the Neon Effects Box

Next, you will need to open the Neon Effects box. Go to the top of your window and click Window > Graphic Style Libraries > Neon Effects. You should now see your neon effects in the box that opened.

Applying the Neon Effect to Your Text

Now you are ready to apply the effects to your text. Click your black pointer in the toolbar. Then click the text to select it. Now look through the box and find a neon effect you want to apply. Then click the effect. You can browse through the different effects to find the one that you like.

Creating Neon Signs with the Text Effects

You can create a neon sign using these text effects. Follow these steps to create a neon sign. Grab your rectangle tool and draw a rectangle on your canvas. Change the color fill to no color. Then click one of the neon effects in the effects box. There is your border for your sign. Now you can draw a text box inside the sign and type your text. Then change your text options and apply the neon effect of your choice.

You can spice things up a bit by adding drop shadows to the sign and text. You can click the sign with your pointer, then hold down the shift key and select the text. Go to the top of your window and click Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. When the box opens, change the settings to what you want and apply it. Now you can save and export your neon sign or text. You can play around with these effects to create all kinds of signs and text effects.

nice post

Thanks for the post ... very interesting to me now I will try ..... There're tools that I still don't know and..... thanks to this and other post I'm learning more and more ...

Great post. It’s always nice to see how other designers work. I use a very similar create neon text effects process in adobe illustrator, Anyways nice post you share.

Hi sameera,
thanks for the post, i am new in using illustrator, I’lll try it...

Thank you. I am new to Illustrator. This will help me considerably.

nice and eazy

wow, nice, and its easy !

Thanks a lot.

I discovered it myself, only too late for the contest I needed it -)

Neon Text Effect Tutorial - YouTube

Thanks a lot!

very nice! Thank you for this

Amazing! I must try!!!

Hi sameera,

Thanks for this tutorial.. i'm new with illustrator so this helps me alot! Thnx!

nice sameera great

Thank you!! Very nice!

thank you soomuch sameera have a nice post excellent