Torn Paper Effect in Adobe Illustrator

In today’s tutorial, we will create a Torn/Ripped Paper Effect in Adobe Illustrator with the help of the Type Tool, Pen Tool, Wrinkle Tool, and a few other tools and effects.

Launch Adobe Illustrator and create a new document. Now to create a ripped paper effect follow the below steps:

Step 1

Select the Type Tool and click on the artboard to type a word. Increase the font size and place the word in the center of the artboard.

Now select the text and press Shift + Ctrl + O to make it an editable text.

Step 2

Now select the Pen Tool and draw a zig-zag line over the text and then make it a closed path. (See the image below)

Select the closed path and press Ctrl + C to copy the path and then press Shift + Ctrl + V to paste it in place. Now lock the layer, which was pasted, by selecting the layer and pressing Ctrl + 2.

Step 3

Select the text layer and the original layer of the closed path. Now open the Pathfinder Panel (Shift + Ctrl + F9) and select Divide.

Then press Shift + Ctrl + G to Ungroup. After ungrouping the selection, select the paths which are below the zig-zag line and bring them to the front.

Step 4

Now select the Rectangle Tool and draw a rectangle the same as the size of the artboard. Then press Shift + Ctrl + [ to arrange the layer and send it to the back.

Now select the original closed path layer and fill it with white color.

Now go to Layers Panel and unlock the duplicate closed path layer which we had locked in Step 2. Fill the shape with the same color as that of the background and shift it a little downwards.

Step 5

Select the duplicate closed path layer and the divided paths of the text which we had brought to the front. Now open the Pathfinder Panel and click on Divide.

Then Ungroup the whole selection and remove the paths which are on the white background.

Now select the white color path and then select the Wrinkle Tool from the Tool Panel.

If you want to increase or decrease the size of the cursor then double-click on the Wrinkle Tool in the Tool Panel and set its size.

Now move the Wrinkle Tool cursor on the edges of the white path to create the torn edges.

Now apply the Drop Shadow Effect to the torn edges path.

Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow

You can also change the color of the closed paths to make the effect more attractive.

This is how you can create a Torn/Ripped Paper Effect in Adobe Illustrator.

Now practice this tutorial and share your views in the comment section. Also, share this tutorial with others.