• Date: Thursday, February 23, 2023
  • Meeting Info: In-person on campus – p122

Topic

Creating a Letterpress Effect

Today, we will explore using Illustrator to create a Letterpress Effect.

Letterpress printing is a form of relief printing; the raised surface of letters or images is inked and then pressed into the paper.

Objectives

What you can expect to learn

  • Using the Appearance Palette to create highlights and shadows for your text. This will give your text the appearance of being “stamped” into the paper
  • After creating highlights and shadows save this technique in your “Graphic Styles” palette.
    • You may save the Graphic Style in the Library for future use.

Critique

Each week we will review homework assignments from the previous class. Students will participate in reviewing material and offering suggestions for improvement for their cohort. This week we discuss the creation of gradients, to make water bubbles. The class will discuss the effectiveness of the final water design.

Lab

Lab assignments are done during class time. This week we will have two labs.

  1. Create a letterpress effect.
  2. Create a Ribbon Effect using the shear technique.
  3. 3711_05_LastName_Lab.ai
  4. Artboard One has Letterpress. Artboard two has Ribbon Effect.

Discussion:

Each week you will need to respond to two questions posted. This is a requirement for participation part of your grade.

Homework Due Next Class: 

All work should be submitted by 5:00 pm the Wednesday before class.

The file should be saved according to the following naming convention. i.e., 3711_05_LastName_HW.ai (Illustrator).

Samples:

  • Homework1 – Use the Blend Technique demonstrated in class to create a necklace with links to hold beads together on a necklace stand or on a neck you have drawn.

Vocabulary

Blend Tool, Appearance Palette, Graphic Styles (with library).

Resources

Here are some notes that you should read to educate yourself in the topic area described above.

Letterpress Technique

Ribbon Technique
Blend Tool Techniques