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How do I make a halftone in Illustrator?

Last updated on September 24, 2022 @ 7:22 pm

Halftone printing is a printing process that creates a relief image by distributing ink dots over a surface at different densities. In the 1800s, halftone printing was used to create images for newspapers and magazines.

Today, halftone printing is used to create textures, logos, and icons.

To create a halftone in Illustrator, begin by creating a new document. Choose the Halftone Type tool from the Tools panel and click on the document surface.

You can adjust the settings on the fly by clicking on the small triangle next to the Halftone Type tool.

To create a halftone pattern, begin by creating a new layer and using the Rectangular Marquee tool to create a square within the document. Then, use the fill color to fill the square with a light gray.

Use the brush tool to create small dots within the square, and set the spacing to .25.

PRO TIP: If you are not familiar with the process of creating a halftone in Illustrator, we recommend that you seek out a tutorial or ask a more experienced user for help. Creating a halftone incorrectly can result in sub-par results or, worse, damaged files.

Next, create a new layer and use the Ellipse Marquee tool to create an elliptical shape within the document. Then, use the fill color to fill the ellipse with a light gray.

Use the brush tool to create small dots within the ellipse, and set the spacing to .

Finally, use the Gradient tool to create a gradient within the document. Drag the gradient cursor along the top edge of the ellipse, and then drag it down to the bottom edge of the ellipse.

Use the settings on the gradient panel to change the colors.

When you’re finished, your document should look something like this.

To print the halftone pattern, select the Halftone Pattern layer and click on the Print button in the toolbar. You can also use the Layer menu and select Print Pattern.

Kathy McFarland

Kathy McFarland

Devops woman in trade, tech explorer and problem navigator.