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cwcurry
Inspiring
October 30, 2016
Answered

Gradients not working on Text

  • October 30, 2016
  • 4 replies
  • 87779 views

Using Adobe Illustrator CC (20.1.0 64-bit)

I have applied gradient to the text, and it is displaying black. Just to prove that this actually is happening, I made a rectangle and applied the exact same gradient. The gradient is working on the rectangle. Nothing, and I mean nothing I can do will make a gradient work on the text. I can change the text color to red or any solid color and it will work on the text, just not a gradient.

Xp7I9xX.png

Just so you can see that the actual characters themselves have that gradient applied, here is a snapshot of "some" of the characters selected. You will note the black to bright green gradient is indeed applied to the characters themselves.

9TcZvqG.png

Gradients are not showing up on my text. Gradients are working on shapes.

It is really making me think that this is a bug that nobody can solve. I have read the other threads, which are now quite old, and have videos which don't exist. This needs to be a new thread with new answers, IMO. I am using the most current version of AI.

    Correct answer cwcurry

    Ton Fredericks said: (THANK YOU)

    Select your text with a selection tool (not with the text tool).

    Fill the text with none.

    Go to the Appearance Panel and add a New Fill.

    Change that fill to a gradient.

    Alternatively you can also select the text with a selection tool (not the Text tool).

    Go to the Appearance panel and add a new fill.

    Change it to a gradient and make sure it is above the Characters in the Appearance panel.

    I made this video for the future for peeps looking for this solution.

    Here is what I gleaned from this:

    1. TEXT CANNOT BE GRADIENT FILLED

       so

    2. You have to remove any fill on the text

       so that

    3. You can select a block of text

       so that

    4. YOU CAN GRADIENT FILL THAT BLOCK

    You can still use the character tool and insert and delete the characters inside a group. This is a good thing.

    4 replies

    B
    Boka2112
    Inspiring
    November 9, 2020

    Why does this happen? Can this be fixed!

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 9, 2020

    It's the way Illustrator works.

    You want it to behave differently, then please post a feature request to http://illustrator.uservoice.com

    T
    theshowe
    Inspiring
    January 31, 2025

    Except it didn't in previous version you could fill with a gradient without having to go through the appearance panel. It's really annoying when things are changed randomly for no apparent reason and a way you've been working for ages is suddenly not working anymore. 

    M
    myvideoguytv
    Participant
    September 15, 2020

    Thank You Mate!!!  Super helpful!

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 30, 2016

    See also Gradients not showing up in illustrator text

    Select your text with a selection tool (not with the text tool).

    Fill the text with none.

    Go to the Appearance Panel and add a New Fill.

    Change that fill to a gradient.

    Alternatively you can also select the text with a selection tool (not the Text tool).

    Go to the Appearance panel and add a new fill.

    Change it to a gradient and make sure it is above the Characters in the Appearance panel.

      C
      cwcurryAuthorCorrect answer
      Inspiring
      October 30, 2016

      Ton Fredericks said: (THANK YOU)

      Select your text with a selection tool (not with the text tool).

      Fill the text with none.

      Go to the Appearance Panel and add a New Fill.

      Change that fill to a gradient.

      Alternatively you can also select the text with a selection tool (not the Text tool).

      Go to the Appearance panel and add a new fill.

      Change it to a gradient and make sure it is above the Characters in the Appearance panel.

      I made this video for the future for peeps looking for this solution.

      Here is what I gleaned from this:

      1. TEXT CANNOT BE GRADIENT FILLED

         so

      2. You have to remove any fill on the text

         so that

      3. You can select a block of text

         so that

      4. YOU CAN GRADIENT FILL THAT BLOCK

      You can still use the character tool and insert and delete the characters inside a group. This is a good thing.

        H
        HeY tHeRe5FAA
        Participant
        October 8, 2020

        Thx kind Sir

        E
        edgrimley
        Participating Frequently
        October 30, 2016

        You can outline the text and add a gradient. Or if you want to keep it editable,after you add the type, remove the fill. Go to the Apperance Panel and add a new fill with the gradient.

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