How to outline text in Illustrator, both meanings
"Outline text" means two things. To draw a line around letters, add a stroke in the Appearance panel and drag it below the fill. To convert text to shapes for a printer, use Type › Create Outlines (⇧⌘O), which is permanent. JuicyType's Strokes effect handles the first without the second.
The manual way, in Illustrator
- For a visible outline: select the text, open Window › Appearance, click Add New Stroke, set weight and colour, and drag the stroke below the fill.
- Set Round Join in the Stroke panel so corners do not spike.
- For a printer's outlines: duplicate the artboard or file first, then Type › Create Outlines. Keep the live version.
- To get out of Outline view (wireframe display), press ⌘Y; it is a view mode, not an effect.
Create Outlines cannot be undone later; the text becomes paths and cannot be retyped or respelled.
Steps drafted from Illustrator's documentation; to be checked in Illustrator 2025–2026 before launch.
2 effects in JuicyType
Strokes are cumulative bands, so a two-colour double outline is two rows rather than two stacked strokes you have to size by hand.
Common questions
Why did my text turn into a wireframe?
You are in Outline view. Press ⌘Y to return to Preview.
Do I have to outline text before sending to print?
Only if the printer cannot load your fonts. Packaging the file or embedding fonts in a PDF avoids it.