Create drop shadows

Last updated on Sep 11, 2025

Learn how to create drop shadows to add depth and visual separation to your design elements.

Select an object or group using the Selection tool or select a layer in the Layers panel.

Select Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow.

Modify the following options in the Drop Shadow dialog box:

  • Mode: Specifies a blending mode for the drop shadow.
  • Opacity: Specifies the percentage of opacity you want for the drop shadow.
  • X Offset and Y Offset: Specifies the distance you want the drop shadow to be offset from the object.
  • Blur: Specifies the distance from the edge of the shadow where you want any blurring to occur. Illustrator creates a transparent raster object to simulate the blur.
  • Color: Specifies a color for the shadow.
  • Darkness: Specifies the percentage of black you want added for the drop shadow. In a CMYK document, a value of 100%, used with a selected object that contains a fill or stroke color other than black, creates a multicolored black shadow. A value of 100% used with a selected object that contains only a black fill or stroke creates a 100% black shadow. A value of 0% creates a drop shadow with the color of the selected object.
The options including Mode, Opacity, Blur, and more highlighted in the Drop Shadow dialog.
Adjust drop shadow settings in Adobe Illustrator using Mode, Opacity, Blur, and more to enhance depth and dimension.

Select OK.