Skip to main content
O
Optimusbliss
Participant
November 21, 2019
Answered

Outlining makes text fonts thicker. Please help!

  • November 21, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 7499 views

Hello, when I review the printout, the outlined version of the text is thicker than the live text version. I did some research, and people were saying it's because the text loses its hinting information when its outlined.

 

Is there any possible way to look as the same after outlining?

 

Thank you.

    Correct answer Mike_Gondek10189183

    Hinted text gets slightly more contrast looking thinner especially when smaller.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Font_hinting

     

    The difference is so small this is not be an issue but an improvement in most cases. Please provide more detail if you wish help

    • What font and size are you using
    • What file format is your final destination
    • A screenshot

    Without this detail no one can really assist you, and would be a better usage of our time if you can please provide this. Save for Web removing type or art optimization, or the effect outlineobject can help change the font hinting to what you might be looking for.

    5 replies

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 10, 2026

    Why would anyone outline text?

    D
    DavidxMartins
    Participating Frequently
    May 31, 2024

    I've been struggling with the same problem for years. In some cases, such as a logo, I have to add a thin stroke, outlining the stroke and subtract it from the letters, as a way to compensate. This is obviously neither practical nor ideal. Illustrator should fix this. It's ridiculous.

     

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Community Expert
    Mike_Gondek10189183Community ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 31, 2024

    Hinted text gets slightly more contrast looking thinner especially when smaller.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Font_hinting

     

    The difference is so small this is not be an issue but an improvement in most cases. Please provide more detail if you wish help

    • What font and size are you using
    • What file format is your final destination
    • A screenshot

    Without this detail no one can really assist you, and would be a better usage of our time if you can please provide this. Save for Web removing type or art optimization, or the effect outlineobject can help change the font hinting to what you might be looking for.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    November 21, 2019

    Yes, Outlining does this. Yes, it is because of the loss of hinting. No, you cannot escape this. But, WHY would you do this? There is almost no reason to ever outline. There is however, a lot of bad advice on the internet from people who think it's a good idea. They are wrong.

      O
      OptimusblissAuthor
      Participant
      November 21, 2019

      There are some cases where the person, I have to send the file to, wants the file in AI format, and he did not have the appropriate fonts that I have on his computer.

       

      You may say, send him a fonts installer file with it, but some fonts require to purchase the lincense which it's hard for me to share it.

       

      and I also read lots of treads to convert the file to PDF which I know will definitely work. 

       

       

      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      November 21, 2019

      Ok, that is a reason to outline (if they want editable graphics, but to lose text editability forever; a strange choice). However, damage to quality is the trade-off and they need to know that. MOSTLY it is obvious on screen and low resolution printers (say 300 dpi). At higher resolutions, hinting is pretty much irrelevant.

        Ton Frederiks
        Community Expert
        Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 21, 2019

        Hinting is used to avoid the thickening of type on low resolution devices like printers and screens.

        If you remove the hinting, you will get the thickening.

        Is there a reason to outline the text?

        If you save as PDF there is no need for outlines, the fonts will be embedded and keep their hinting information.

          O
          OptimusblissAuthor
          Participant
          November 21, 2019

          Thanks for the clarification

           

          As you're saying, there's no reason I need to outline the text if I save as PDF.

          But then the problem is it's noticeable only on my computer.

           

          I tried to outline the text on the other computer (the same file transferred), the thickening problem won't occur.

          I just wanna know what is the difference because it really hasn't happened to me so far.

           

          Once again, thank you for your concern.

           

          rcraighead
          rcraighead
          Legend
          November 21, 2019

          Can you provide a "before & after" screen image? 

            O
            OptimusblissAuthor
            Participant
            November 21, 2019

            Alright, so as you could see above image, the below texts are slightly thicker than the above one.

            And it is more obvious on the printed paper. It really bothers me.

             

            I tried to reboot the computer and reinstall the Illustrator but the same thing happens.

            I understand it's some kind of 'hinting information' problem, but nobody actually had the answer to it.

            Hopefully, I could get some answers out. Thanks!

              AlesandraB
              AlesandraB
              Participating Frequently
              February 10, 2026

              I have the exact same issue and it affects our corporate branding. Our brand font is ‘SemiBold’  not ‘Bold’ or ‘Black’ it looks very different once outlined. And yes, I need to outline because the vendor doesn’t have licenses for our fonts!

              Font name ‘Montserrat SemiBold’
               

               

              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
              Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices