1. How to Create a New Document and Set Up a Grid
Hit Control-N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, set the Width and Height to 850 px, and then click that Advanced Options button. Select RGB for the Color Mode and set the Raster Effects to Screen (72 ppi), and then click the Create button.
Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid or Control-“) and Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid or Shift-Control-“). You will need a grid every 5 px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid, enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. Try not to get discouraged by all that grid—it will make your work easier, and keep in mind that you can easily enable or disable it using the Control-“ keyboard shortcut.
You can learn more about Illustrator’s grid system in this short tutorial from Andrei Stefan: Understanding Adobe Illustrator’s Grid System.
You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Don’t forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Units. All these options will significantly increase your work speed. Now that you’re set, let’s see how you can create a vintage circle logo.
2. How to Save Patterns and a Pattern Brush
Step 1
Select the Rectangle Tool (M) from your toolbar and then focus on the color settings. Select the stroke and remove the color, and then double-click the fill and set it to black (R=0 G=0 B=0).
Move to your artboard and simply create a 15 x 5 px shape—the grid and Snap to Grid should make it easier. Keep this rectangle selected, switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), and move to the control panel, where you can set the Corner Radius to 2.5 px.
Reselect the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a 20 x 5 shape. Remove the fill color to make this new shape invisible, and then use the Selection Tool (V) to place your rectangle on top of your rounded rectangle, as shown in the second image.
Step 2
Select both shapes and simply drag them into the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches) to save them as a pattern. Once you have the pattern, you can remove the shapes from your artboard.
Keep focusing on the Swatches panel and make sure that your pattern is selected. Open the fly-out menu and go to Swatch Options to remove your “Start Tile” pattern.
Step 3
Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), use it to create a 30 x 15 px shape, and fill it with black. Switch to the Anchor Point Tool (Shift-C) and click the left and right anchor points to turn them into sharp points.
Continue with the Direct Selection Tool (A), use it to select just the right anchor point, and set the Corner Radius to 5 px.
Step 4
Again, drag your shape into the Swatches panel to save it as a pattern. Rename this second pattern “End Tile”.
Step 5
Make sure that your shape is still selected and pick the Selection Tool (V). Use that bounding box to rotate your shape 45 degrees, as shown in the second image. If you can’t see that bounding box, you need to go to View > Show Bounding Box (Shift-Control-B). Also, remember to hold down the Shift key as you rotate your selection to constrain the angle of rotation to 45 degrees.
When you’re done, move your shape until the sharp anchor point snaps to the grid, as shown in the third image.
Step 6
Make sure that your shape is still selected and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Check the Horizontal box and then click the Copy button to easily create a horizontally flipped copy, as shown in the second image.
Use the Selection Tool (V) to move this copy and make the sharp anchor point snap to the grid, as shown in the third image.
Step 7
Select both shapes and click the New Brush button from the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes) to save them as a Pattern Brush.
Open the Start Tile dropdown menu and add the “Start Tile” pattern from that list, and then open the End Tile dropdown window and add the “End Tile” pattern. Set the Colorization Method to Tints, which will allow you to change the color of the brush after you apply it, and then you can click OK to add this new pattern brush to the Brushes panel.
Step 8
Next, you’ll need the halftone texture from this Envato Elements pack: Vintage Book Textures. Copy (Control-C) the group from that file that you get and paste (Control-V) it inside your document.
First of all, replace the fill color with R=103 G=40 B=23 and then focus on the control panel to adjust the size. Check the Constrain Width and Height Proportions button, and then set the Width to 350 px.
Drag this resized group into the Swatches panel to save it as a new pattern, and then you can remove it from your artboard.
3. How to Create the Circle Vintage Logo
Step 1
Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and use it to create a 270 px circle. Fill it with the same color that you used for the halftone pattern. You’ll need this color more than once throughout this tutorial, so let’s add it to the Swatches panel. All you have to do is click that New Swatch button from the bottom of the Swatches panel.
Keep your circle selected and move it to the center of the artboard. Focus on the control panel, make sure that the alignment is set to artboard, and then click the Horizontal Align Center and Vertical Align Center buttons.
Step 2
Keep your circle selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the settings shown in the following image, and click OK.
Step 3
Reselect the Ellipse Tool (L) and use it to create a 160 px circle. Center this shape and fill it with R=255 G=243 B=221. Save this color in the Swatches panel and return to the Appearance panel.
Use the Add New Fill button to add a second fill. Select it, apply your halftone pattern from the Swatches panel, and then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform to rotate the applied pattern. First of all, make sure that the Transform Objects box is unchecked and the Transform Patterns box is checked, and then set the Angle to 35 degrees. Click OK to rotate your pattern.
Step 4
Keep your smaller circle selected, focus on the Appearance panel for a few moments, and click that Path section to make sure that the effect which you’re about to apply will modify the entire path, not just a fill or a stroke. Now go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen, enter the settings shown below, and click OK.
4. How to Apply the Pattern Brush
Step 1
Reselect the Ellipse Tool (L), use it to create a 350 px circle and center it. Remove the fill color, select the stroke, and apply your saved brown color from the Swatches panel.
Keep this shape selected and go to Object > Path > Add Anchor Points three times. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), use it to select the eight anchor points highlighted in the third image, and press the Delete key to remove them.
Step 2
Make sure that your curved paths are still selected and apply your pattern brush from the Brushes panel. Select just the right one and simply go to Object > Path > Reverse Path Direction to quickly adjust the direction of the applied brush.
5. How to Create a Ribbon Design
Step 1
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 150 x 50 px shape and fill it with black. Keep this rectangle selected and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Fill the resulting shape with R=188 G=38 B=21. Save this red in the Swatches panel before you continue.
Step 2
Make sure that the black rectangle made in the previous step is still selected and use the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) to add two anchor points as shown in the first image.
Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select both of these new anchor points and simply drag them 10 px down, as shown in the second image.
Step 3
Reselect the Rectangle Tool (M), use it to create a 30 x 50 px shape, place it as shown in the first image, and fill it with your saved red.
Continue with the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add a new anchor point as shown in the first image, and then switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the new anchor point and drag it 15 px to the left, as shown in the second image.
Move this shape behind the black one, and then add a copy in front (Control-C > Control-C). Use the Reflect Tool (O) to flip the copy horizontally, and then place it as shown in the third image.
Step 4
Select your red rectangle using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and set the Corner Radius to 5 px.
Continue with the other two red shapes, select the six anchor points highlighted in the following images, and again, set the Corner Radius to 5 px.
Move to the black shape, select the two anchor points marked in the fourth image and this time set the Corner Radius to 10 px.
Step 5
Select all the shapes that make up your ribbon design and press Control-G to Group them, and then go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Check the Horizontal box, drag the Bend slider to -45%, and click OK.
Step 6
Make sure that your ribbon group is still selected and go to Object > Expand Appearance to expand it. Press Shift-Control-G to Ungroup the resulting group of shapes.
Use the Selection Tool (V) to select the black shape along with the two smaller red shapes, open the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder), and click the Minus Front button.
Reselect all the shapes that make up your ribbon and turn them into a compound path (Object > Compound Path > Make or Control-8).
6. How to Add Text to Your Vintage Circular Logo
Step 1
Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a 350 px circle, fill it with a random color, and center it. Make sure that it stays selected, pick the Type on a Path Tool, and focus on the control panel.
Select the Foregen Rough Two font, set the size to 22 px and don’t forget to check the Align Center button, and then click that underlined Character text to open the Character fly-out panel.
Increase the Tracking to 500 and then simply click on the edge of your selected circle to type in your text. Set its color to R=255 G=243 B=221 (your pale color from the Swatches panel) and switch to the Selection Tool (V). Use that midpoint bracket to easily move the text inside your circle and center it in the bottom section, as shown in the third image.
Step 2
Using the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 194 px circle and center it. Reselect the Type on a Path Tool and focus on the control panel to adjust the settings for the text that you’re about to add. Select the Roadstore Vintage font, increase the size to 24 px, and remember to open that Character fly-out panel and lower the Tracking to 150. Again, click on the edge of your selected circle to type in the text. Use the same pale color for the text and center it using the midpoint bracket, as shown in the second image.
Reselect the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a 236 px circle and center it. Pick the Type on a Path Tool and reselect that Foregen Rough Two font from the control panel, and then type in your text along the selected path. Center it using the midpoint bracket and keep that pale color.
7. How to Create a Crown Design
Step 1
Focus on the top part of your circle vintage logo and pick the Rectangle Tool (M). Create 50 x 20 and a 40 x 10 px rectangle. Fill both shapes with your saved red and place them as shown in the first image.
Focus on the top edge of your larger red rectangle and use the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) to add three anchor points as shown in the second image.
Step 2
Keep focusing on the top edge of your larger red rectangle and continue with the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select the leftmost anchor point and drag it 10 px up and 10 px to the left, and then select the rightmost anchor point and drag it 10 px up and 10 px to the right. Continue with the middle point and simply drag it 25 px up, as shown in the second image.
Once you’re done, select both shapes that make up your little crown and press Control-8 to turn them into a compound path. Keep it selected and pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), which will allow you to set the Corner Radius to 3 px, and then go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen. Enter the settings shown below and click OK.
8. How to Create the Coffee Cup
Step 1
Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 70 x 25 px shape, and fill it with your pale color. Move the Appearance panel to select the stroke, apply your brown color, and increase the Weight to 5 pt.
Step 2
Make sure that the ellipse made in the previous step is still selected, and press Control-C > Control-F to add a copy in front.
Move to the Layers panel (Window > Layers) to reselect the original shape and switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A). Select the bottom anchor point and simply drag it 40 px down. Continue with the Anchor Point Tool (Shift-C), click the point you just moved, and drag the handles 35 px to the right, as shown in the third image.
Step 3
Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 70 x 25 px shape, fill it with a random color, and place it as shown in the first image. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the two anchor points highlighted in the first image, and press the Delete key to remove them.
Keep the remaining path selected, remove the fill color, and select the stroke. Apply your brown color and then open the Stroke fly-out panel. First, increase the Weight to 4 pt and then select Width Profile 4 from the list. Also, click the Flip Along button to quickly change the direction of the stroke, as shown in the third image.
Step 4
Press Control-F again to add a new copy of the top ellipse. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 60 x 15 px shape, fill it with a random color, and place it as shown in the first image.
Select both of these shapes and click the Intersect button from the Pathfinder panel. First, remove the fill color of the resulting shape and select the stroke. Apply your brown color, increase the Weight to 5 pt, and select Width Profile 1 from the list.
Next, use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the anchor point highlighted in the first image and click the Cut Path button from the control panel. When you’re done, set the fill color to brown.
Step 5
Pick the Line Segment Tool (\) and use it to create three vertical lines, as shown in the first image. One should be 45 px long and the other two only 30 px long.
Select all three lines and apply a 5 pt stroke, set the color to brown, and don’t forget to select Width Profile 1 from the Stroke fly-out panel. When you’re done, go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag and enter the settings shown below.
Step 6
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 15 px square and place it as shown in the first image. Remove the fill color and apply a 5 pt brown stroke.
Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A), use it to select the right anchor points, and set the Corner Radius to 7.5 px. Continue with the anchor point highlighted in the second image and drag it 10 px down, and then select the anchor point marked in the third image and set the Corner Radius to 6 px.
Step 7
Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 90 x 50 px shape and fill it with brown, and then also add a 5 pt brown stroke.
Step 8
Pick the Ellipse Tool (L), create a 70 x 30 px shape, and place it as shown in the first image. Remove the fill color, add a 5 pt pale stroke, and remember to select Width Profile 1 from the Stroke fly-out panel.
Keep this shape selected and go to Object > Path > Add Anchor Points. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the anchor point highlighted in the first image and Delete it.
Once you’re done, select this path along with the ellipse that lies behind it, and go to the Layers panel to drag these elements below the rest of the shapes that make up your coffee cup, as shown in the third image.
Step 9
Select all the shapes that make up your coffee cup and press Control-G to Group them, and then place your group as shown in the second image.
9. How to Create the Background and Add a Texture
Step 1
Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a shape that will cover your entire artboard. Fill it with that same pale color and then press Shift-Control-[ to move this shape behind your logo.
Step 2
Next, you’ll need texture #44 from this pack of Grunge Vector Textures. Add it to your document and decrease the Height to 450 px, and then fill it with your pale color and lower the Opacity to 50%.
Step 3
Let’s also add a subtle texture for this vintage circular logo.
You’ll need Paper_08 from this pack of paper textures. Drag it into your document, decrease the size to about 870 px, center it, and change the Blending Mode to Multiply. With this final touch, your vintage coffee logo is complete.
