How to Add Spaced Border in Adobe Illustrator
Borders are a great way to define and separate elements in a design. In Adobe Illustrator, adding a spaced border can give your artwork a unique and stylish look. Whether you are creating a poster, a logo, or a social media graphic, learning how to add a spaced border can enhance the visual appeal of your design. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of adding a spaced border in Adobe Illustrator.
Step 1: Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document.
To get started, open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. You can choose the size and orientation based on your design requirements.
Step 2: Draw the shape you want to add a spaced border to.
Using the shape tools in the toolbar, draw the shape to which you want to add the spaced border. It could be a rectangle, a circle, or any custom shape that you want to work with.
Step 3: Duplicate the shape.
With the shape selected, go to the “Edit” menu and choose “Copy” from the dropdown or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+C for Windows or Command+C for Mac). Then, go back to the “Edit” menu and choose “Paste in Place” (Ctrl+Shift+V for Windows or Command+Shift+V for Mac) to create a duplicate of the shape on top of the original one.
Step 4: Increase the size of the duplicated shape.
With the duplicated shape selected, go to the “Object” menu, choose “Transform,” and then select “Scale.” In the “Scale” dialog box, increase the size of the shape by a few points or pixels, depending on the spacing you want for the border. Make sure to uncheck the “Transform Objects” option and keep the “Transform Patterns” and “Scale Strokes & Effects” options checked.
Step 5: Change the color and stroke settings of the duplicated shape.
Select the duplicated shape and change its color to the desired border color. You can do this by using the “Fill” and “Stroke” options in the toolbar. Then, increase the stroke weight to the desired width for the spaced border.
Step 6: Align the duplicated shape with the original shape.
With the duplicated shape still selected, go to the “Object” menu, choose “Arrange,” and select “Send Backward” or “Send to Back” to position the duplicated shape behind the original shape. Then, using the arrow keys or the align tools, adjust the position of the duplicated shape to create the spaced border effect.
Step 7: Fine-tune the spaced border.
You can further customize the spaced border by adjusting the stroke settings, changing the dash and gap options in the Stroke panel, or adding effects like rounded corners or custom brushes to the border.
Adding a spaced border to your design in Adobe Illustrator can add depth and visual interest to your artwork. By following these steps, you can create a stylish and professional-looking spaced border that will make your design stand out. Experiment with different shapes, colors, and stroke settings to achieve the desired look for your project.
