How to Feather Edges in Illustrator

In this quick tutorial, I’ll show you how to create soft, feathered edges in Illustrator, step by step.

Interested in a video tutorial? The Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel will become your favorite place! Here’s a quick video you can follow to learn how to fade the edges of images in Illustrator:

What You’ll Learn in This Illustrator Feather Tutorial

In this tutorial, you’ll learn all about feathering the edges of images in Illustrator to create a simple shadow. At the end of this tutorial, you’ll have all the skills you need to feather Illustrator shapes and fade the edges of a shape for your own projects. Topics we cover will include:

  • How to feather edges in Illustrator
  • How to create a shadow object
  • How to make blurred edges of multiple objects at the same time

What You’ll Need in This Illustrator Feather Tutorial

To follow along with this ‘How to Feather Edges in Illustrator’ tutorial step by step, you’ll need your own version of Adobe Illustrator. We’ll also be using stock images from Envato to help us, but feel free to use your own illustration too. Click on the link below to download the one I’m using.

How to Feather Edges in Illustrator

Step 1

First, we need to select the object or group that we want to apply the Illustrator feather effect to. In this example, let’s use the shadow shape and select it with the Selection Tool (V). 

Illustrator feather effect: select the shadow.Illustrator feather effect: select the shadow.Illustrator feather effect: select the shadow.

Step 2

Now, with the shape selected, go to the top menu bar and select Effect > Stylize > Feather.

Illustrator feather effect: stylize with the Feather mode.Illustrator feather effect: stylize with the Feather mode.Illustrator feather effect: stylize with the Feather mode.

Step 3

When the new window pops up, make sure that the Preview option has been selected so that you can see the changes you make to your shape.

Feather in Illustrator: select the Preview box.Feather in Illustrator: select the Preview box.Feather in Illustrator: select the Preview box.

Step 4

Now you can experiment with setting a different value for the Radius and apply the feather edges in Illustrator.

A larger radius value will result in more blurriness, whereas a smaller radius value will make it appear sharper. Click OK to create blurred edges in Illustrator.

Feather in Illustrator: choose the Radius value.Feather in Illustrator: choose the Radius value.Feather in Illustrator: choose the Radius value.

How to Feather the Edges of Multiple Objects

Step 1

Remember that you can apply the feather Illustrator effect to multiple objects as well. Simply use the Selection Tool (V) and click and drag across multiple objects to select them.

Feather in Illustrator: select all the objects.Feather in Illustrator: select all the objects.Feather in Illustrator: select all the objects.

Step 2

Now, with all the different shapes selected, go to the top menu bar and select Effect > Stylize > Feather.

To achieve feather edges again, stylize with the Feather mode.To achieve feather edges again, stylize with the Feather mode.To achieve feather edges again, stylize with the Feather mode.

Step 3

You can experiment with the Radius value again to apply the feather edges in Illustrator. 

Remember that a larger radius value will result in more blurred edges, whereas a smaller radius value will make it appear sharper. Click OK to feather the image edges in Illustrator.

To feather the image, choose the Radius value again.To feather the image, choose the Radius value again.To feather the image, choose the Radius value again.

Step 4

From here, you can always return to adjust the look of your Illustrator feather effect by going to the Appearance menu. This can be accessed by going to the top menu bar and selecting Window > Appearance.

Finally, feather the illustration by accessing the Appearance menu.Finally, feather the illustration by accessing the Appearance menu.Finally, feather the illustration by accessing the Appearance menu.

Awesome, You’re Finished!

Congratulations! And that’s how to fade the edges of images in Illustrator. I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you’ve learned some new tips and tricks that you can use for your own projects. Enjoy feathering your image!

Final result of feathering an image.Final result of feathering an image.Final result of feathering an image.

Top 5 Graphics From Envato

Now that you know how to feather edges in Illustrator, why not experiment with some other stock images?

Practice using Illustrator to fade the edges of a shape by heading to Envato, where you can download many different illustrations and designs that you can use. Here are five of my favourites.

1. Colorful Feather Quill Logo (AIEPS, PDFPSDPNG)

Colorful Feather Quill LogoColorful Feather Quill LogoColorful Feather Quill Logo

Here we have the vector-based feather logo that we used for the tutorial. This item is fully editable and scalable without losing any resolution.

2. Bokeh Blur (JPG)

Bokeh BlurBokeh BlurBokeh Blur

This pack contains 12 JPEG files of high-resolution (5184 x 3456 pixel) backgrounds that are just perfect to use for your banners, websites, wedding images, invitation cards, Valentine cards, and more.

3. Knockout Blur Text Effect (PSD)

Knockout Blur Text EffectKnockout Blur Text EffectKnockout Blur Text Effect

This unique blurring text effect works as both a text and a photo effect in one. Experiment by using your own background images to produce great-looking banners, websites, posters, and social media graphics.

4. Flying Business Card Mockup (PSD)

Flying Business Card MockupFlying Business Card MockupFlying Business Card Mockup

This pack contains photorealistic flying business cards that you can use for your mockups and designs. Customise the card designs with your own within seconds with the easy-to-use smart-object features.

5. Cinematic Film Bokeh Overlay (JPG, PNG)

Cinematic Film Bokeh OverlayCinematic Film Bokeh OverlayCinematic Film Bokeh Overlay

Here are 15 unique overlay files that you can use to add some extra appeal to your images. Simply apply the overlay and change the blending mode. Each file is a high-resolution JPG or PNG file at 3840 x 2160 pixels.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial on how to feather edges in Illustrator. If you’d like to learn more cool Illustrator skills, we’ve got more tutorials for you:


This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam

In this quick tutorial, I'll show you how to create soft, feathered edges in Illustrator, step by step.

Interested in a video tutorial? The Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel will become your favorite place! Here's a quick video you can follow to learn how to fade the edges of images in Illustrator:

What You'll Learn in This Illustrator Feather Tutorial

In this tutorial, you'll learn all about feathering the edges of images in Illustrator to create a simple shadow. At the end of this tutorial, you'll have all the skills you need to feather Illustrator shapes and fade the edges of a shape for your own projects. Topics we cover will include:

  • How to feather edges in Illustrator
  • How to create a shadow object
  • How to make blurred edges of multiple objects at the same time

What You'll Need in This Illustrator Feather Tutorial

To follow along with this 'How to Feather Edges in Illustrator' tutorial step by step, you'll need your own version of Adobe Illustrator. We'll also be using stock images from Envato to help us, but feel free to use your own illustration too. Click on the link below to download the one I'm using.

How to Feather Edges in Illustrator

Step 1

First, we need to select the object or group that we want to apply the Illustrator feather effect to. In this example, let's use the shadow shape and select it with the Selection Tool (V). 

Illustrator feather effect: select the shadow.Illustrator feather effect: select the shadow.Illustrator feather effect: select the shadow.

Step 2

Now, with the shape selected, go to the top menu bar and select Effect > Stylize > Feather.

Illustrator feather effect: stylize with the Feather mode.Illustrator feather effect: stylize with the Feather mode.Illustrator feather effect: stylize with the Feather mode.

Step 3

When the new window pops up, make sure that the Preview option has been selected so that you can see the changes you make to your shape.

Feather in Illustrator: select the Preview box.Feather in Illustrator: select the Preview box.Feather in Illustrator: select the Preview box.

Step 4

Now you can experiment with setting a different value for the Radius and apply the feather edges in Illustrator.

A larger radius value will result in more blurriness, whereas a smaller radius value will make it appear sharper. Click OK to create blurred edges in Illustrator.

Feather in Illustrator: choose the Radius value.Feather in Illustrator: choose the Radius value.Feather in Illustrator: choose the Radius value.

How to Feather the Edges of Multiple Objects

Step 1

Remember that you can apply the feather Illustrator effect to multiple objects as well. Simply use the Selection Tool (V) and click and drag across multiple objects to select them.

Feather in Illustrator: select all the objects.Feather in Illustrator: select all the objects.Feather in Illustrator: select all the objects.

Step 2

Now, with all the different shapes selected, go to the top menu bar and select Effect > Stylize > Feather.

To achieve feather edges again, stylize with the Feather mode.To achieve feather edges again, stylize with the Feather mode.To achieve feather edges again, stylize with the Feather mode.

Step 3

You can experiment with the Radius value again to apply the feather edges in Illustrator. 

Remember that a larger radius value will result in more blurred edges, whereas a smaller radius value will make it appear sharper. Click OK to feather the image edges in Illustrator.

To feather the image, choose the Radius value again.To feather the image, choose the Radius value again.To feather the image, choose the Radius value again.

Step 4

From here, you can always return to adjust the look of your Illustrator feather effect by going to the Appearance menu. This can be accessed by going to the top menu bar and selecting Window > Appearance.

Finally, feather the illustration by accessing the Appearance menu.Finally, feather the illustration by accessing the Appearance menu.Finally, feather the illustration by accessing the Appearance menu.

Awesome, You're Finished!

Congratulations! And that's how to fade the edges of images in Illustrator. I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you've learned some new tips and tricks that you can use for your own projects. Enjoy feathering your image!

Final result of feathering an image.Final result of feathering an image.Final result of feathering an image.

Top 5 Graphics From Envato

Now that you know how to feather edges in Illustrator, why not experiment with some other stock images?

Practice using Illustrator to fade the edges of a shape by heading to Envato, where you can download many different illustrations and designs that you can use. Here are five of my favourites.

1. Colorful Feather Quill Logo (AIEPS, PDFPSDPNG)

Colorful Feather Quill LogoColorful Feather Quill LogoColorful Feather Quill Logo

Here we have the vector-based feather logo that we used for the tutorial. This item is fully editable and scalable without losing any resolution.

2. Bokeh Blur (JPG)

Bokeh BlurBokeh BlurBokeh Blur

This pack contains 12 JPEG files of high-resolution (5184 x 3456 pixel) backgrounds that are just perfect to use for your banners, websites, wedding images, invitation cards, Valentine cards, and more.

3. Knockout Blur Text Effect (PSD)

Knockout Blur Text EffectKnockout Blur Text EffectKnockout Blur Text Effect

This unique blurring text effect works as both a text and a photo effect in one. Experiment by using your own background images to produce great-looking banners, websites, posters, and social media graphics.

4. Flying Business Card Mockup (PSD)

Flying Business Card MockupFlying Business Card MockupFlying Business Card Mockup

This pack contains photorealistic flying business cards that you can use for your mockups and designs. Customise the card designs with your own within seconds with the easy-to-use smart-object features.

5. Cinematic Film Bokeh Overlay (JPG, PNG)

Cinematic Film Bokeh OverlayCinematic Film Bokeh OverlayCinematic Film Bokeh Overlay

Here are 15 unique overlay files that you can use to add some extra appeal to your images. Simply apply the overlay and change the blending mode. Each file is a high-resolution JPG or PNG file at 3840 x 2160 pixels.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial on how to feather edges in Illustrator. If you'd like to learn more cool Illustrator skills, we've got more tutorials for you:


This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam


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