How to Customize Font in Adobe Illustrator

Creating custom logos is one of the best ways to increase your income as a designer. With Adobe Illustrator offering a vast array of tools, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are best for the job. This guide will walk you through the six essential tools that will help you transform an original typeface into a distinct logo that clients will happily pay big money for.

In this example, I’ll show you how to customize the widely disliked Comic Sans font and turn it into something far more attractive. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Outline the Font

Before any customization begins, the first step is to outline the font. Outlining the font converts it into a vector, allowing for complete editing of the typeface. Without this, modifications wouldn’t be possible. To do this:

• Select the text
• Go to Type > Create Outlines or press Ctrl + Shift + O on Windows (Cmd + Shift + O on Mac)

Once the font is outlined, I’ll ungroup the word “Comic” to adjust the letter spacing, which currently feels too spread out.

Step 2: Eraser Tool – Slice Off Rounded Edges

Now that the letters are outlined and spaced properly, it’s time to equip the Eraser Tool. The goal here is to remove the rounded edges of the letters to create a sharper, more professional appearance.

• Select the Eraser Tool (shortcut Shift + E).
• Press Option or Alt to switch to a rectangular eraser for more precise cuts.

This tool is excellent for slicing off unwanted shapes and paths, giving the font a cleaner, more modern look.

Step 3: Use the Ruler for Precision Alignment

Next, it’s time to bring structure to the font. To ensure the letters sit on the same baseline, use the Ruler Tool for perfect alignment.

• Go to View > Rulers > Show Rulers.
• Drag a guide to create a baseline.
• You can also right-click and choose Show Grid to fine-tune the positioning.

Alignment is key to making your customized typeface look polished, so trust the process even if things look odd during the early stages.

Step 4: Pathfinder Tool – Unite Shapes

With the letters aligned, it’s time to add movement by manipulating the “C” characters in the word “Comic.” Using the Rectangle Tool, I’ll reshape the two “C’s” to give the font more dynamic energy.

After making these changes, I’ll use the Pathfinder Tool to unite the new paths:

• Go to Window > Pathfinder and select the Unite option.
  This tool is great for merging multiple shapes into one cohesive element.

Step 5: Pencil Tool for Customization

Now comes the exciting part — customizing individual letters. The Pencil Tool is a personal favorite for adding unique touches to letters.

• Double-click the Pencil Tool icon and ensure that the option to edit paths is selected.
• Begin customizing, focusing on one letter at a time.

I’m starting with the letter “M,” as it sits at the center of the word and naturally draws the eye. A subtle tweak here will turn it into the focal point of the logo.

Quick Tip:

When using the Pencil Tool, press Option or Alt to instantly switch to the Smooth Tool, which helps ensure clean, flowing lines.

Step 6: Direct Selection Tool – Fine-Tuning

Once the customization is done, it’s time to tidy things up. The Direct Selection Tool (shortcut A) allows for precise adjustments:

• Select individual anchor points to round out harsh lines.
• Adjust the angle and alignment of letters to maintain consistency.

In this case, I’ll make the top of the “C” slightly less harsh and ensure that the “O” and “M” follow the same visual flow.

Step 7: Add a Border for Depth

The final touch involves giving the type some depth by adding a border. This can be done easily by using the Offset Path tool:

• Go to Object > Path > Offset Path.
• Choose the thickness you want for the border.

This step will help your typography stand out, giving it a more professional and 3D effect.

Step 8: Add Color for Visual Impact

Now that everything is complete, it’s time to add color. I always save this step for last to ensure the design’s legibility isn’t compromised during the customization process. The color should complement the design and make it pop, but the most important thing is that it doesn’t interfere with the readability of the text.

Before and After: Transforming Comic Sans

By following these steps, you can take Comic Sans, a font often mocked for its amateurish design, and transform it into something usable, polished, and professional. This is just one example of how customization can turn a basic typeface into a bespoke logo that stands out.

Conclusion

Customizing typography is all about trusting the process. Even if it looks strange at times, the right tools and techniques will bring everything together. The tools covered here — Eraser, Ruler, Pathfinder, Pencil, Smooth, and Direct Selection — are powerful allies in creating unique and valuable logo designs.

If you want to see more examples of how I’ve transformed fonts into custom logos, check out my other work. And if you’re ready to take your typography skills to the next level, don’t forget to download my free Pencil Tool Worksheet from my website.