Help with offsetting to drop text and how to outline just the outline of text shape and not letters

[Gillian32738313o0ge]

Hi, I am trying to adapt the text in this stock ai file I licensed on Adobe Stock: File: 1095651026. Unfortunately, the text isn't editable - it is all now in paths and compound paths. I am trying to recreate it and have figured some of it out, and am making myself crazy on other parts.

Here is what I have done mostly successfully:

1. Create light grey text with white outline

2. Copy this and make it white text with white outline

3. Use a clipping mask to slice the grey text with white outline in half horizontally

4. Place this over the white on white text to get they effect of the stock example - ISSUE: This all looks decent BUT adding the white outline makes the glyphs thicker than I really want them. I would rather the outline happen within the shape of the glyphs rather than outside of them, expanding them. Is there a way to achieve this?
   
   

Here is where I am stuck:

5. Copy a navy version of the text
6. Use "offset path" with mitre joins to try to replicate the dropped text in the stock example - ISSUE: this offsets ALL around the text and doesn't look like the example. I have tried every way I can think of to get it to offset only in one direction, but I can only get it to offset everywhere. How can I get it just to offset in one direction, like a drop shadow would??
7. Once that is solved, i want to outline all of the navy in a thin grey line like in the stock example - ISSUE: how do I do this? I tried outlining the letters but that outlines in between them too, not just around the shape.

Thank you for your help!!!

[Bobby Henderson]

If you want the "AirCare" typeface used in the stock image, the correct typeface is Teko.
A static version of it can be synced at Adobe Fonts:
https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/teko
A variable version of Teko is available for free at Google Fonts:
https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Teko?query=Indian+Type+Foundry

As far as the outline effects go, I usually do alright using the Offset Path effect. Use postive numbers for making the outline effect go outside of the shape and negative numbers for going inside. For building complex outline or inline effects it may be necessary to work on copies of the lettering on different layers to keep the elements organized and separated. Paste the copies in place and then apply the offset path effects as needed. When happy with the results expand the effect into raw editable paths.

The "Air Care" letters appear to have a block shadow effect applied to them. Illustrator doesn't have a parallel block shadow effect. Some people will use blends to create the effect, but the results are junky if you zoom in tight to the artwork. Third party plugins, such as those from Astute Graphics, can create clean, parallel block shadow effects.

[Gillian32738313o0ge]

Thank you so much, Bobby. This is a big help. I am trying these steps now.