How to outline and unite script text in adobe illustrator

1/15/2020

One of my most frequent requests is how to weld script text when using Adobe Illustrator. At the beginning I didn't know how easy it could be. It's one of the easiest things to do in the program! When I first started using Illustrator I would rasterize the text and then trace it. Doing it that way works but it was hard to get a good crisp text. It was extra steps and not a good outcome! Here are the steps to get a good, clean and easy outline of your text (any text) and then unite them for laser or vinyl cutting.

Video Tutorial

Step 1 - Open a new document

I like to use a 19 x 10.75 inch artboard because that way I know that everything on the artboard will fit into the cut area of the glowforge.

Step 2 - Type your text

Choose the type tool from the toolbar and click anywhere on the artboard.

Step 3 - Choose your font

I like hello wedding for a good font to use in my glowforge.

Step 4 - Create Outlines

Click on the type menu at the top and choose create outlines.

Step 5 - Unite

You can see in this photo that there are overlapping paths. This means that each individual letter will cut out separately. We need to unite the letters so that they cut all as one piece.

You will want to have the pathfinder window open for this step.

In the pathfinder window, choose unite. This will make all of those overlapping paths unite as one.

Step 6 - Check paths

I like to check my paths before I save. This way you can see any open paths or any overlapping paths you may have missed. You can do this by clearing the fill like in the photo below.