Need an offset outline to my text in Illustrator

[Nadeem5C9C]

I think this is really simple, but am an Illustrator newbie and not a graphic designer either. I've attached a pic of what I need to do - have a red offset outline around my blue text. I need it "clean" as the final vector will be scaled up for wide format printing. Easy steps please 🙂

[Monika Gause]

Object > Path > Offset path does this.

PLease don't attach files. Embed them in your post.

[Mohammad.Harb · Accepted solution]

Type the text, remove the fill and stroke so the text will become invisible , now withe the select tool click on the text object to select it then open the appearance panel  Window -> Appearance 

add new fill and new stroke, change the colors. Then click on the stroke and go to memu:

Effect -> path -> offset path 

[Nadeem5C9C]

Thanks you so much for your help - solved!