What does “create outlines” mean?
When you create outlines in Illustrator, you convert text from editable type into vector shapes. Each character becomes a set of paths and anchor points that can be scaled, reshaped, or edited like any other vector object. This ensures the text looks exactly the same on any computer, even if the font isn’t installed.
Once converted, the text is no longer editable as live text—you can’t change the font or retype words.
How do I create outlines in Illustrator?
-
Type your text
- Select the Type Tool (T) and click on the artboard to enter your text.
-
Select the text
- Switch to the Selection Tool (V) and click the text object.
-
Convert to outlines
- In the top menu, choose Type > Create Outlines.
- Or use the shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + O (Windows) / Shift + Command + O (Mac).
Your text is now converted into vector outlines.
For the best results, you should then save your PDF, using the preset PDF/X-1a:2001.