How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator

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If you've been wondering how to make SVG designs with the wavy retro stacked words, this tutorial will show you how to create the wavy text / ripple text effect using Adobe Illustrator. 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

Follow these step-by-step instructions to quickly create a wavy text effect using Adobe Illustrator.

How Do I Make Wavy Stacked Retro Words?

Create your stacked text using your favorite font.

I am using this font which cuts beautifully using my Cricut Maker.

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial a

 

Quickly copy each layer by holding Option, grab the layer and drag it down to duplicate it.

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial b

 

Select all layers and Align: Horizontal Align Center and Align: Vertical Distribute Center

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial c

 

Group (CMD+G) all of the layers together:

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial

How to Make Wavy Text Effect Using Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

How Do I Make Wavy Text in Illustrator?

You can easily warp your text in Adobe Illustrator to get the wavy text effect, using this technique.

Select all layers and click Object: Envelope Distort: Make with Warp

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial d

 

Choose the Wave Style and adjust the Bend. I am using 33%.

Leave the Horizontal & Vertical Distortion at 0.

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial e

 

You can play around with all of the Distortion options to create some very unique designs!

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator - So Very Graphic Design Tutorial f

 

It takes only a few minutes to create the wavy text retro effect in Adobe Illustrator

How Do I Turn My Text Design Into a Cut File?

To turn your newly created wavy text retro design into a cuttable design for Cricut, Silhouette, etc. click here to read a super quick tutorial.

 

How to Create Wavy Text Retro Effect in Illustrator a So Very Graphic Design Tutorial

 

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